Stuart Chafetz

Stuart Chafetz is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Columbus Symphony and the newly-appointed Principal Pops Conductor of the Marin Symphony. Chafetz, a conductor celebrated for his dynamic and engaging podium presence, is increasingly in demand with orchestras across the continent. This season, he will be on the podium in Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, Naples (Florida) and Pittsburgh, as well as with The Philly and Cincinnati Pops. He enjoys a special relationship with The Phoenix Symphony where he leads multiple programs annually.

As principal timpanist of the Honolulu Symphony for 20 years, Chafetz would also conduct the annual Nutcracker performances with Ballet Hawaii and principals from the American Ballet Theatre. It was during that time that he led numerous concerts with the Maui Symphony and Pops. He's also led numerous Spring Ballet performances at the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. In 2017, he made his NAC debut leading the Pops show All Night Long: Music of the 80s. In the summers, he spends his time at the Chautauqua Institution, where he conducts the annual Fourth of July and Opera Pops concerts.

Stuart Chafetz makes his home near San Francisco, with his wife Ann Krinitsky. He holds a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music.