Biography

Stefan Sanders is the Music Director of the Central Texas Philharmonic and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, where he brings an expansive artistic vision, vibrant leadership, and a deep commitment to building a strong musical culture throughout both regions. Now in his sixth season and ninth seasons (respectively), Sanders has been instrumental in shaping both orchestra’s identities as a dynamic and accessible artistic force, programming innovative concerts, engaging with the community, and leading with precision and passion.

Sanders is recognized nationally and internationally as a conductor of uncommon versatility. He served as an Assistant Conductor of the New York Philharmonic from 2017 to 2020, where he worked closely with many of the world’s leading soloists, guest conductors, and composers. From 20014 to 2018 he held the positions of Associate and then Resident Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, leading more than 200 performances across the orchestra’s Classics, Pops, Youth, and education series. In 2016, he was selected as one of only five conductors nationwide for the Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview, a prestigious honor hosted by the League of American Orchestras and the Nashville Symphony, which spotlights the top emerging conducting talent in the United States.

As a guest conductor, Sanders maintains a busy international schedule. He has led performances with the Colorado Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Canton Symphony, Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, Buffalo Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic, Syracuse Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, San Antonio Symphony, and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, among many others. His international appearances include performances with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Cuba (Havana, Cuba), Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatan (Merida, Mexico), Guayaquil Symphony Orchestra (Ecuador), Beethoven Academy Orchestra (Poland) and Kraków Opera and Ballet (Kraków, Poland), Filharmonia Podkarpaczka (Rzeszów, Poland), Filharmonia Warmisnko-Mazurska (Olsztyn, Poland) and the Seocho Philharmonic (Seoul, South Korea). These engagements reflect both his musical depth and his ability to connect with diverse audiences around the world.

Prior to his conducting career, Sanders earned distinction as a trombonist, performing internationally as a soloist and orchestral musician. He was a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s brass section for seven seasons and appeared with major ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and Seattle Opera’s production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. His performance of Eric Ewazen’s Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra with the Czech Philharmonic is featured on a commercial release from Albany Records, and remains a celebrated recording in the low brass repertoire.

Sanders began his musical education at Chisholm Trail Middle School and Round Rock High School in Central Texas before being accepted to the Interlochen Arts Academy, where he finished high school. He went on to study at The Juilliard School and University of Texas at Austin. He later refined his conducting technique at the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, where he trained with esteemed mentors Larry Rachleff, Robert Spano, and Hugh Wolff. His dual background as both a world-class instrumentalist and conductor continues to shape his interpretive insight and leadership on the podium.

Sanders is guiding both orchestras into exciting new chapters of growth and artistic excellence. His tenure has been marked by fresh programming, collaborative initiatives, and a firm belief in the power of orchestral music to bring people together. Whether conducting beloved masterworks or championing contemporary voices, Sanders brings clarity, commitment, and heart to every performance.