Named Musical America’s April 2023 New Artist of the Month and recognized for his “profound artistry” (The San Diego Union Tribune), Sameer Patel is one of America’s most exciting conductors. Equally at home conducting world premieres and traditional classical works, Patel’s infectious enthusiasm for music is felt by musicians, audiences, and students alike.

Patel is the Music Director and Orchestra Conductor of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, a transformational organization guided by curiosity and known for championing the music of living composers as well as masterpieces of the 20th century. He is also the Artistic Director of the San Diego Youth Symphony, where his work reaches thousands of students and families throughout his community.

Patel has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Leipziger Sinfonieorchester, and many others. Deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians, Patel has taught at the New England Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, and the University of San Diego, and has led performances with All-State and Honor orchestras throughout the country, most notably in Texas, California, Indiana, and his home state of Michigan.

Patel has assisted and learned from some of the greatest conductors of our time, including Gianandrea Noseda, Daniele Gatti, Gustavo Dudamel, Mei-Ann Chen, Paavo Järvi, Kurt Masur, and Bernard Haitink.

Born and raised in Michigan, Patel makes his home in San Diego with his wife, Shannon, and two children, Devan and Veda. In his spare time, he pursues his passions for literature, languages, jazz, traveling, history, fishing, and tennis.