David Handel’s passionate artistic leadership and engaging personality have made him a favourite with orchestras and audiences on four continents. A disciple of Kurt Masur and Gustav Meier, he was named Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia at an early age. Building that institution into a model of artistic and organizational growth has led him on to further appointments in Argentina, Chile, the Russian Federation, Music Director of the National Symphony orchestra of Ecuador and currently as Music Director of the Orlando Symphony Orchestra in the United States. The legendary Pepe Romero described him as “…one of the best conductors with whom I have had the pleasure to collaborate … His great musicality, human touch, technical mastery and intelligence makes it possible for him to elevate the level of any orchestra ..” His close ties with orchestras around the world reflect his deep commitment to colleagues and communities, reaching across cultural barriers, and electrifying orchestras and audiences alike.