Romanian conductor Cristian Macelaru is also a violinist and composer whose accomplishments demonstrate his impressive capabilities as a multidimensional musician. After attending the Aspen Music Festival and studying conducting under David Zinman in 2008, he now serves as staff conductor at the Shepherd School of Music. Here he has conducted productions of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Gustav Holst’s Savitri and Haendel’s Rinaldo, as well as the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras in numerous concerts.

    Mr. Macelaru started studying music at the age of six in his native country. After winning top prizes in the National Music Olympiad of Romania, in 1997 he received a scholarship to attend the Interlochen Arts Academy.

    During his studies at the University of Miami, Mr. Macelaru was assistant conductor of the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra, associate conductor of the Florida Youth Orchestra and concertmaster of the Miami Symphony Orchestra. While receiving the master of music in violin performance under the guidance of Sergiu Luca at Rice University, Mr. Macelaru played in the Houston Symphony’s first violin section as a contracted substitute. He has also given recitals throughout the United States, Europe and China.

    Most recently, Mr. Macelaru finished a master of music in conducting with Larry Rachleff at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. He is also a conductor with the Houston Youth Symphony, conductor of the Campanile Orchestra and the founder and artistic director of the Crisalis Music Project. , Macelaru is also founder and artistic director of the Crisalis Music Project. More information can be found at CrisalisMusicProject.org