Marlon Daniel

Born in Chicago, Marlon Daniel is recognized as one of the most dynamic and versatile conductors of his generation. Praised by the Chicago Sun-Times as “a natural and enormous talent”, he has captivated audiences worldwide with his masterful technique, interpretative depth, and commanding stage presence.

A laureate of the 2018 Bucharest Symphony Orchestra International Conducting Competition, Daniel has performed in many of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and the Rudolfinum in Prague.

Invited to lead orchestras across Europe, North and South America, and the Caribbean, Daniel has appeared with the Chineke! Junior Orchestra, Havana Lyceum Orchestra, Sofia Sinfonietta, and Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra, where he conducted the Russian premiere of William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony. In 2016, he became the first African American to conduct the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Cuba in its sixty-five-year history. His appointments have included inaugural Music Director of the Colour of Music Festival, Associate Conductor of the Praga Sinfonietta, Associate Conductor of Florida Grand Opera and guest conductor with orchestras in Bulgaria, Ecuador, Colombia, Czech Republic, Russia and the United States.

Recognized as a leading authority on the life and music of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, he has received various recognitions including France’s Médaille d’honneur de l’engagement ultramarin (Honor Medal for Overseas Commitment) French culture in 2026, and the Yvar Mikhashoff Trust for New Music, as a champion of music by under-represented and contemporary composers with works of important musical composers like Adolphus Hailstork, Giya Kancheli, Libby Larsen, Jessie Montgomery, Arturo Márquez, Nkeiru Okoye, Fred Onovwerosuoke, Thierry Pécou, Hampson Sisler, William Grant Still, Eino Tamberg, and Pulitzer Prize winners Tania Léon and George Walker.

A protégé of renowned Finnish pedagogue Jorma Panula, Daniel holds degrees from Manhattan School of Music, New York University and the Prague Academy, with additional diplomas from Fontainebleau in France, the Centro de Estudios Musicales Isaac Albéniz in Spain and has also received artistic guidance from Sir Colin Davis, Zubin Mehta, Iván Fischer at the Beethovenfest Bonn and Sir Simon Rattle at the Berliner Philharmonie. He has held academic positions at Columbia, Drew and Fordham universities and in 2024 was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the Universität Münster Musikhochschule Orchester in Germany. He has also appeared as a guest lecturer/speaker at Lunigiana International Music Festival, OPERA America, SphinxConnect, Tafelmusik, and Columbia and Yale universities.

A voting member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS), Daniel has released several acclaimed recordings, including most recently: Total Tango: Music of Ástor Piazzolla, with the Havana Lyceum Orchestra. His recordings reflect his interest in a wide range of standard and contemporary repertoire.

He is currently Artistic and Music Director of the Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges, Artistic Director of Festival Mahogany, Music Director of Ensemble du Monde and the All-Caribbean Youth Orchestra. His work also extends to cultural projects, including serving as Music Curator for the Guillon Lethière exhibition at Mémorial ACTe in Guadeloupe in collaboration with Musée du Louvre.

This upcoming Season 2026/2027, he will make several important débuts including the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra and the Bronx Opera world premiere performance of the opera: The Count of Monte Cristo, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe Black Panther Opera in San Francisco.