David Amado: A Decade of Classical Connection

David Amado, Music Director of Atlantic Classical Orchestra

In the world of classical music, many music directors and conductors command with grandeur, others with precision. But David Amado, who celebrates his 10th anniversary season with the Atlantic Classical Orchestra (ACO) in its 2026 season, has built his legacy on something rarer: connection.

A unique kind of maestro, David is one who trades the traditional pedestal for genuine connection. With warmth, wit, and an easygoing presence, he breaks down barriers to orchestral music, making it feel less like a musical museum experience and more like conversation. Whether guiding audiences through a Mozart symphony or introducing a contemporary composition, he has a gift for making the music relevant and alive. He brings context to the music, through stories and historical reference, in a way that’s human, approachable, and deeply engaging. Even those who thought classical music wasn’t ‘for them’ find themselves listening differently - and loving it.

David Amado is an accomplished conductor whose career spans more than three decades of music-making and leadership. A graduate of the Juilliard School, he began as a pianist before turning to conducting and trained under some of the world’s most respected maestros. David served as Music Director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra from 2003 – 2024, becoming the first Music Director Laureate in their 119-year history. Prior to that, he was the associate conductor for the St. Louis Symphony.

As a guest conductor, David has led numerous prominent orchestras, such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic, and the Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, National, New World, and Toronto symphonies. He debuted at the Mostly Modern Festival in Saratoga Springs in 2019. David assumes a new role as Music Director for the Oregon Mozart Players in Eugene Oregon this season. David joined the Atlantic Classical Orchestra in 2016 as Music Director and Conductor, where he quickly became known for his insightful interpretations and approachable style.

With nearly a decade shaping the ACO’s artistic direction, programming, and performance style, David is now extending his tenure with ACO for an additional three years which ensures that the ACO will continue to build on this foundation without interruption. His musical leadership and extraordinary talent have brought cohesion to the orchestra’s programming, cultivating confidence in the musicians and connection to audience members.

“One hard truth is that the more rewarding an experience, the faster it seems to pass—and so it has been with my ten years at ACO, which have flown by” says Amado, reflecting on his career with the ACO. “It has been a decade of growth—for the orchestra, for me personally, and for our communities, who have seen and heard just how inviting and rewarding an orchestra concert can be. What I treasure most is the open, warm, and collaborative spirit of the musicians with whom I share the stage. That spirit gives our performances a rare spontaneity and freshness. When that energy meets our engaged audiences—whose openness and curiosity are as much a part of the concert as the music itself—the experience becomes complete. And like my decade with ACO, the concerts seem to fly by but leave us renewed and better connected to each other. It’s a special, welcoming experience—one that builds bridges across differences and reminds us how much we share when we listen together.”

Music is a universal language, and David Amado is a captivating storyteller—interpreting every note with clarity and passion, shaping each ACO performance into a remarkably unifying and enlightening experience. He weaves fascinating insights into the concerts—sharing stories about the music, the instruments, and the composers—with a style that is not only educational but also entertaining and often delightfully humorous.

“David doesn’t just conduct the orchestra – he invites the audience into the music,” says longtime Stuart subscriber and sponsor, Craig Price, Managing Director for Mesirow Wealth Management. “It’s like you’re in on a conversation, not just listening to a performance.

“Making orchestral music feel like it belongs to everyone—inviting, of-the-moment, and refreshingly relatable is David’s gift to all of us” stated Nina Morse, ACO Board Member and leader of the Vero Friends of the ACO.

David brings a rare combination of artistry and approachability to the podium. With the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, he doesn’t just conduct—he connects. David has a gift for making the music feel personal and alive. His warmth, humor, and down-to-earth style break down perceived barriers to classical music, welcoming all, including first-time listeners, into the experience. Under David’s direction, the orchestra becomes more than sound, and a performance becomes more than a concert—it becomes a shared journey that resonates long after the final note.

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About the ACO: The Atlantic Classical Orchestra was founded in 1990 by Jean and Andrew McMullen with the vision of bringing professional, top quality orchestral music to Florida’s Treasure Coast. From its beginning, the ACO has grown into a cultural cornerstone, celebrated for its performances of classical masterworks, rising contemporary compositions, chamber performances, and dedication to community enrichment and education. For more information about the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, call 772.460.0851 or visit the website: https://atlanticclassicalorchestra.com