Gabriel Gordon

An established conductor and ballet specialist with over three decades of experience, Gabriel Gordon is recognized for his work at the intersection of symphonic and dance traditions. Known for his precision, musical sensitivity, and collaborative approach, he brings a deep understanding of the conductor’s role both onstage and in the pit.

Gordon has worked extensively with Ballet West since 2019, conducting productions including The Nutcracker, Rodeo, Les Noces, Dracula, and Stars and Stripes. His work in ballet conducting reflects a refined ability to coordinate musical and physical timing, supporting dancers while maintaining musical integrity—an essential skill in collaborative performance environments.

He has conducted leading institutions including the Santa Fe Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, and the Santa Fe Opera, demonstrating a breadth of experience across symphonic and operatic repertoire. Recent engagements include his debut with Orlando Ballet, conducting Christopher Stowell’s Swan Lake with the Orlando Philharmonic, and his Chicago-area debut with Ballet 5:8 and the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing live orchestral performance to Beyond The Nutcracker for the first time in the company’s history.

A prizewinner of multiple conducting competitions, including the Denver Philharmonic International Conducting Competition, Gordon has been praised for his “distinct and engaging musical personality” (The Philadelphia Inquirer), with The Utah Review noting that under his direction “every component gelled.”

Based in the Salt Lake City region, Gordon maintains strong ties to the local musical community, including ongoing collaborations with Ballet West and regional ensembles such as the Chamber Orchestra Ogden and The NOVA Chamber Series. He currently conducts The New American Philharmonic and remains active as a freelance violinist in the region.

In addition to his conducting career, Gordon is engaged in music education and community outreach, and is the creator of Gabriel Gordon: The Art of Listening, a platform dedicated to making classical music more accessible to broader audiences. His work reflects a commitment to collaborative artistry, stylistic versatility, and connecting orchestral performance with contemporary audiences — qualities central to today's evolving role of the conductor.