Ohio's Dayton Philharmonic Names New Music Director

Japanese conductor Keitaro Harada was selected from a field of 250 applicants

The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA), which encompasses the city's ballet, opera, and philharmonic orchestra, has announced that Keitaro Harada will serve as its fifth Music Director. He will step into the role on July 1, 2025, for an initial term of five years.

Harada is presently Artistic Director of the Savannah Philharmonic in Georgia, having been appointed there during the 2020/21 season.

At home in Japan, he is also the Permanent Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and the Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Partner of the Aichi Chamber Orchestra.

Harada spent four years serving as the Associate Conductor at the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops, where he regularly assisted then-Music Director Louis Langrée — and collaborated with James Conlon and Juanjo Mena at the orchestra’s annual May Festival.

A six-time recipient of The Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, Harada also received the foundation's flagship prize: the Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award for 2023.

"DPAA is privileged to be working with such a stellar conductor with international scope and passion for local communities," said Patrick J. Nugent, DPAA President and CEO. "Maestro Harada has an impressive sense of artistic vision, community engagement, and commitment to our model of three arts in one organization."

"He also has a keen understanding of the business of the arts and can think in the language of finances and demographics as well as musical scores and artistic strategy. His technical and artistic abilities as a conductor are prodigious, and he electrifies audiences wherever he goes. He will be a major cultural force in Dayton, and we are delighted that he has agreed to lead the Philharmonic."

"I am honored to join the DPAA family as Music and Artistic Director of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra," Harada said. "As the proud leader of two profound American institutions, I look forward to immersing myself in the DPAA community while I continue in my present role as Music and Artistic Director with the Savannah Philharmonic."

"The DPAA stands out to me as it brings together three art forms I absolutely love: orchestra, opera, and ballet," he continued. "Dayton’s rich history and vibrant art scene will provide us with the inspiration and imagination to build collaborations that can only be achieved at DPAA. Having recently performed together, we began to discover the endless possibilities of our music-making and great community. I am deeply grateful to serve as the next Music and Artistic Director."