Daniel Alfred Wachs
Encyclopedia
In the fall of 2006, Daniel Alfred Wachs assumed the position of Music Director & Director of Orchestral Activities at Chapman University
in Orange, California
. Concurrently, he serves as Music Director of the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra which has just entered its 40th season.
Born in 1976, Wachs was raised and educated in the United States, Israel and Europe. At the age of eight, he was auditioned by Zubin Mehta
and began studies with Enrique Barenboim. He subsequently pursued studies at the Zürich Academy of Music and the North Carolina School of the Arts
. Wachs holds a Bachelor’s Degree in piano from the Curtis Institute of Music
and graduate degrees in piano & conducting from The Juilliard School.
Mr. Wachs recently completed his tenure as Assistant Conductor of the Orchestre National de France
in Paris under Kurt Masur
. His recent engagements include the French premiere of Bernstein
’s Candide
at the Théâtre du Châtelet (a co-production with La Scala & ENO), Verdi’s Un Ballo in maschera with Opera Santa Barbara and Britten’s Albert Herring with Opera Chapman. He served as a juror for the 2007 ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Award in New York and as Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Opera
during its 2007 Season.
During his tenure as Assistant Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra
, Wachs conducted a semi-staged performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Minnesota Opera Chorus and James Sewell Ballet Company.
During the 2004-05 Season, Wachs held the position of Artist in Residence at New York City Ballet
, leading performances during the company’s Balanchine Centennial as well as during the 50th Anniversary of The Nutcracker. He has guest conducted such orchestras as the Auckland Philharmonia of New Zealand, The Fort Worth Symphony, and the Florida West Coast Symphony.As a pianist, he has performed in such venues as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Salle Paderewski in Lausanne, and at such festivals as Aspen, Tanglewood
and Verbier.
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
in Orange, California
Orange, California
Southern California is well-known for year-round pleasant weather: - On average, the warmest month is August. - The highest recorded temperature was in 1985. - On average, the coolest month is December. - The lowest recorded temperature was in 1950...
. Concurrently, he serves as Music Director of the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra which has just entered its 40th season.
Born in 1976, Wachs was raised and educated in the United States, Israel and Europe. At the age of eight, he was auditioned by Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
and began studies with Enrique Barenboim. He subsequently pursued studies at the Zürich Academy of Music and the North Carolina School of the Arts
North Carolina School of the Arts
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts , formerly the North Carolina School of the Arts, is a public coeducational arts conservatory in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that grants high school, undergraduate and graduate degrees. It is one of the seventeen constituent campuses of the...
. Wachs holds a Bachelor’s Degree in piano from the Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
and graduate degrees in piano & conducting from The Juilliard School.
Mr. Wachs recently completed his tenure as Assistant Conductor of the Orchestre National de France
Orchestre National de France
The Orchestre national de France is a symphony orchestra run by Radio France. It has also been known as the Orchestre national de la Radiodiffusion française and Orchestre national de l'Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française .Since 1944, the orchestra has been based in the Théâtre...
in Paris under Kurt Masur
Kurt Masur
Kurt Masur is a German conductor, particularly noted for his interpretation of German Romantic music.- Biography :Masur was born in Brieg, Lower Silesia, Germany and studied piano, composition and conducting in Leipzig, Saxony. Masur has been married three times...
. His recent engagements include the French premiere of Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
’s Candide
Candide (operetta)
Candide is an operetta with music composed by Leonard Bernstein, based on the novella of the same name by Voltaire. The operetta was first performed in 1956 with a libretto by Lillian Hellman; but since 1974 it has been generally performed with a book by Hugh Wheeler which is more faithful to...
at the Théâtre du Châtelet (a co-production with La Scala & ENO), Verdi’s Un Ballo in maschera with Opera Santa Barbara and Britten’s Albert Herring with Opera Chapman. He served as a juror for the 2007 ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Award in New York and as Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati Opera is an American opera company based in Cincinnati, Ohio and the second oldest opera company in the United States .-History:...
during its 2007 Season.
During his tenure as Assistant Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra
The Minnesota Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Emil Oberhoffer founded the orchestra as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903, and it gave its first performance on November 5 of that year. In 1968 the orchestra changed to its name to the Minnesota Orchestra...
, Wachs conducted a semi-staged performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Minnesota Opera Chorus and James Sewell Ballet Company.
During the 2004-05 Season, Wachs held the position of Artist in Residence at New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
, leading performances during the company’s Balanchine Centennial as well as during the 50th Anniversary of The Nutcracker. He has guest conducted such orchestras as the Auckland Philharmonia of New Zealand, The Fort Worth Symphony, and the Florida West Coast Symphony.As a pianist, he has performed in such venues as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Salle Paderewski in Lausanne, and at such festivals as Aspen, Tanglewood
Tanglewood
Tanglewood is an estate and music venue in Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It is the home of the annual summer Tanglewood Music Festival and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, and has been the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home since 1937. It was the venue of the Berkshire Festival.- History...
and Verbier.