Meet Todd Craven

Known for his imaginative programming, vibrant podium presence, and deeply collaborative leadership, American conductor Todd Craven has built a career spanning major symphony orchestras, operatic institutions, and professional community-focused ensembles. He is currently in his fifth season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and his tenth season as Music Director of the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, where his work has strengthened artistic standards, expanded audience engagement, and fostered meaningful partnerships in the community.   Craven has appeared as a guest conductor with orchestras across the United States including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra (TFO), Jacksonville Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, among others. Internationally, his guest appearances include the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Radom Chamber Orchestra (Poland), Karlovy Vary Philharmonic Orchestra (Czech Republic), and the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic (Russia). He has also received an invitation to conduct in South America with the Goiânia Symphony Orchestra (Brazil).  Collaborating with a wide range of distinguished artists, including tenor Lawrence Brownlee, violinist Rachel Barton Pine, pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, and author-narrator Jamie Bernstein, Mr. Craven has also assisted in recording projects with Gil Shaham, Béla Fleck, and conductor Eric Jacobsen.  Craven’s professional development was shaped in significant part by his tenure as Associate Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, where he worked closely with Music Director JoAnn Falletta. In this role, he led pops, education, and community concerts, collaborating with world-class soloists and gaining extensive experience within the artistic, administrative, and community-facing life of a major American orchestra.  A committed champion of living composers alongside the traditional canon, Craven emphasizes clarity, stylistic integrity, and collaboration in rehearsal, drawing on his own experience as an orchestral musician to build trust and rapport with players.  Craven is the Grand Prize Winner of the 2019 Los Angeles Conducting Competition and has previously served as Assistant Conductor of the Florida Grand Opera, as well as Music Director of the University of Michigan Life Sciences Orchestra and the Michigan Pops Orchestra. His mentors include Kenneth Kiesler at the University of Michigan and Marin Alsop at the Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute. Other mentors include Donald Schleicher, Larry Rachleff and William Wiedrich.  Before turning to conducting, Craven enjoyed a distinguished career as a trumpet player. A prize-winning musician, he served as Principal Trumpet of the Sarasota Orchestra and performed with major ensembles including the New York Philharmonic and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, in addition to frequent appearances at the Sarasota Music Festival.