“[THIS] PRODUCTION, UNDER THE BATON OF THE CONTAGIOUSLY ENERGETIC AND PASSIONATE CONDUCTOR, ERIC MAHL, WAS IRRESISTIBLY CHARMING—FUNNY, TOUCHING, AND GENUINELY HUMAN.

Mount Desert Islander

Known for his clarity, contagious energy and passion, Mr. Mahl has solidified his place as one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. Currently, he is the Music Director with the Ridgefield Symphony, Opera Acadia, Geneva Light Opera, Northport Symphony Orchestra, and Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, as well as faculty/festival ensemble conductor at the Charles Ives Music Festival.

Equally at home in Symphonic concerts, Opera productions, Pops concerts, popular music and more, Maestro Mahl is looking forward to a remarkably diverse 2026-27 season. With programs emphasizing American composers, contemporary works, and under-represented artists, his engagements include collaborations with award winning artists such as Jeremias Sergiani-Velazques, Sarah Joyce Cooper, the Tristan Trio, Judy Collins, Francesca McNeely and others. He is excited to be making his debut with the Brooklyn Symphony in an all American Program, and returns to Geneva Light Opera and the Acclaimed Opera Acadia for productions of Don Pasquale and La Boheme, as well as a Cosi fan tutte with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. As a dedicated educator, he is thrilled to be conducting the orchestra at the Connecticut Regionals (CMEA) this year.

Each season, Maestro Mahl consistently conducts, leads and performs with ensembles and soloists comprised of world-class musicians from orchestras ranging from the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra among others. He has collaborated with with Grammy Winning artists including Jennifer Koh, Michelle Cann, Brandon Patrick George, Rannan Meyer, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Judy Collins and others.

Mr. Mahl has become known for his unique and innovative programs, highlight the rich diversity of the world, providing accessibility and contextualization, and bringing the music to the people in every way possible. He is constantly searching for meaningful music that is under represented in the current cannon as well and has arranged music by Nathaniel Dett, Harry Burleigh and others as well as spirituals for orchestra to expose these musics to broader audiences. He is a fervent support of new works as well, and has commissioned or given the world premier of over 25 pieces of music including ballets, operas and small/large ensemble works.

This busy musician also can be heard in unique music lecture series, pre-concert talks, library workshop series, inter-active children and family concerts, outreach programs, and concerts that explore the history and culture of a particular communities.  As a passionate educator, Mr. Mahl has personally taught all ages and instruments at public andprivate schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City, and frequently works with student musicians from under-served communities.

Mr. Mahl received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Ithaca College, and continued his studies at Universite de Montreal and the State University of New York at Fredonia. He has studied with some of the foremost conducting pedagogues in the country including Marin Alsop, James Ross, Harold Farberman, and Larry Rachleff and has participated in workshops in the United States, Canada and  Europe. Mr. Mahl plays trumpet and piano, and in his very limited free time continues to play in orchestral and chamber music programs. When not on the podium, his passions extend to fitness, tennis, and spending time in nature