David Štech is a distinguished conductor renowned for his extensive experience with symphony orchestras, choral groups, and opera. He began his academic journey at California State University, Chico, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Organ Performance and a minor in Choral Conducting. Subsequently, he secured his Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University and a Professional Studies Diploma in Collaborative Piano from the Manhattan School of Music. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of North Texas.
Professionally, Štech has held key roles such as Associate Conductor for the dell’Arte Opera Ensemble and the New York Lyric Opera. He is Music Director Emeritus of the American Opera Group in Chicago and the Astoria Symphony Orchestra in New York City. He was Assistant Conductor at Sarasota Opera and the long-time Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master at St. Petersburg Opera. David’s recent guest conducting engagements include The Florida Orchestra and Brooklyn Ballet.
In the realm of education, Štech is the founder and Artistic Director of the New York Conducting Institute. His dedication to pedagogy is further evidenced by his tenure at esteemed institutions, including the University of Illinois Chicago, Roosevelt University, and, notably, the Manhattan School of Music, where he taught for eight years.
Mr. Štech’s mentors include Donald Schleicher, Paul Nadler, and Michael Morgan. He has also participated in masterclasses with distinguished conductors such as Sir Roger Norrington, Christoph von Dohnányi, and Kurt Mazur. His commitment to musical excellence has been acknowledged through fellowships at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Chicago Civic Orchestra.
David Štech’s comprehensive musical career combines academic rigor, professional acumen, and a fervent dedication to music education.