BIOGRAPHY
Hailed for the breadth of his work on the podium and at the piano, Brett Mitchell has carved a unique path for himself in the world of contemporary American classical music.
On the podium, Mitchell began a five-year term as Music Director of the Pasadena Symphony—an orchestra composed of the greatest studio musicians in Hollywood—in 2024, and has served as Artistic Director & Conductor of Oregon's Sunriver Music Festival since 2022. He previously served as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony (2017-21), Associate Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra (2013-17), and Assistant Conductor of both the Houston Symphony (2007-11) and Orchestre National de France (2006-09).
Working widely as a guest conductor, Mitchell has led the New York Philharmonic at David Geffen Hall, the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, and the principal orchestras of Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Edmonton, Fort Worth, Grant Park, Houston, Indianapolis, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Zealand, North Carolina, Oregon, Rochester, Saint Paul, San Antonio, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Washington. Mitchell also regularly collaborates with the world's leading soloists, including Renée Fleming, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Kirill Gerstein, James Ehnes, Augustin Hadelich, and Alisa Weilerstein.
Also an accomplished pianist, Mitchell has a devoted fanbase of his work at the keyboard, including a widely praised YouTube channel featuring his original transcriptions of iconic cues from film history. He also concertizes regularly at the piano, often performing in recital with musicians from his orchestras. In recognition of his work at the keyboard, Mitchell was named a Steinway Artist by Steinway & Sons in 2025.
Born in Seattle in 1979, Mitchell holds degrees in conducting from the University of Texas at Austin and composition from Western Washington University, where he also studied piano. His two principal professional mentors were Kurt Masur and Lorin Maazel.
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January 2026. Please destroy any undated or previously dated materials.