Donald Portnoy is universally recognized as one of America's dynamic and inspiring symphony orchestra conductors. He brings to music a unique awareness and appreciation for the audience and a refreshing sensitivity toward the musicians with whom he works. He has earned fame as guest conductor with the major orchestras of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Buffalo, and with other major regional orchestras throughout the United States, Argentina, Brazil, China, England, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, South Korea, Italy, Romania, Switzerland, and Spain.

Dr. Portnoy has served as music director and conductor of the Pittsburgh Opera Theater and the Pittsburgh Civic Symphony. In past seasons, he has been Principal Guest Conductor with the Central Opera in Beijing, The Opera and Dance Symphony in Beijing, and The Harbin Orchestra. In March 2004, Dr. Portnoy received Columbia University’s 2004 Ditson Conductor’s Award for his commitment to the performance of works by American composers. In June 2004, he was awarded the Greater Augusta Arts Council “Artist of the Year” Award.

Dr. Portnoy holds the Ira McKissick Koger Endowed Chair for the Fine Arts for the University of South Carolina where he is Director of Orchestral Studies and Conductor of the USC Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. He is the founder and director of the renowned Conductors Institute whose participants come from all parts of the United States and abroad to attend summer annual sessions in Columbia. In June he was directing the Conductors Institute in Columbia. As music director and conductor of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival Orchestra, he conducted the orchestra in four performances during the festival.

In December 2011, Maestro Portnoy will travel to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to present master classes in violin and conducting. In March 2012, he will be in Italy guest conducting and presenting master classes. In May and June 2012, Dr. Portnoy will be conducting at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, directing The Conductors Institute in Columbia, and traveling to Spain to guest conduct and present master classes in violin and conducting.

“Maurice Ravel’s orchestration of his “Le tombeau de Couperin” a cheerfully hopeful homage, emerged in Portnoy’s hands as close to perfection as could be ever wanted.”

Post and Courier
Charleston, SC
June 2, 2010