Kenneth Kiesler

Kenneth Kiesler is a renowned American conductor, born in 1953, with a distinguished career in the music field. He has held prominent positions, including music director of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra from 1980 to 2000, and currently serves as the orchestra's conductor laureate. Kiesler's expertise extends to opera, and he has made significant contributions as a mentor to aspiring conductors.

In addition to his work with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Kiesler is the founder and director of the Conductors Retreat at Medomak, a platform for conductors to refine their skills. His recording of Darius Milhaud's opera L'Orestie d'Eschyle earned him a Grammy Award nomination in 2014. Kiesler is also a respected academic, serving as director of orchestras and professor of conducting at the University of Michigan, where he continues to inspire and guide the next generation of conductors.