Stuart Chafetz
Stuart Chafetz, known for his ability to engage audiences with innovative concerts, is a conductor increasingly in demand with orchestras nationwide. His guest conducting appearances include the orchestras of Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Houston, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Florida, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Louisiana, Naples, New Mexico, Phoenix, San Francisco Ballet and Virginia.
Chafetz has worked with George Benson, Richard Chamberlain, John Denver, Marvin Hamlisch, Thomas Hampson, Wynonna Judd, Jim Nabors, Randy Newman, Jon Kimura Parker and Bernadette Peters, to name a few. As resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony from 2007-2011, Chafetz conducted over 75 concerts throughout the state of Wisconsin.
While with the Honolulu Symphony, Chafetz stepped in at the last minute for music director Andreas Delfs to conduct American baritone Thomas Hampson performing Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer and Copland’s Songs, among others. In addition, Chafetz conducted over 30 performances of The Nutcracker with Ballet Hawaii with principals from the American Ballet Theatre.
In his fifth year as frequent guest conductor with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, Chafetz leads a series in September and October 2011 entitled Fall Fest, which celebrates great classics for modern audiences in a relaxed setting.
In the summers, Chafetz spends his time at the Chautauqua Institution, where he conducts the annual July 4th concert with the Chautauqua Symphony. 2012 will mark Chafetz’s 10th summer conducting this popular, patriotic and fun event!
