Michael Neumann

Artistic Director

& Premier Orchestra Conductor

Enthusiasm, love of music and the violin have been part of Michael Neumann's life since his youth.  His first violin teacher was Maria Neuss, the great great granddaughter of the Czech composer, Antonin Dvorak. Shortly after Neumann earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music (both on full scholarship) from the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music, he was appointed Assistant Conductor of the Birmingham (Alabama) Symphony.

In 1979 he was appointed Assistant Conductor of the Sacramento Symphony, and in 1989 was promoted to the position of Associate Conductor. 

He has made appearances with the Cheyenne Symphony, the Santa Rosa Symphony, the Camellia Orchestra, Fresno Philharmonic and the Napa Valley Symphony, as well as numerous youth honor orchestras and festivals, amongst them the All-State Orchestra of Nevada, and the California All-State orchestra.

Neumann has been the Music Director of the Sacramento Youth Symphony and Academy of Music since 1979, and has led the highly successful Premier Orchestra on several major tours.  He led the orchestra to a first place trophy and the Prize of the City of Vienna in 1995 at the 24th International Youth and Music Festival in Austria.   Neumann also performed highly acclaimed concerts in China in the cities of Beijing, Nanjing, Wuxi and Jinan.

In 1998 he was awarded a fellowship by the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission for his outstanding contribution to the arts and education, and was also recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts.   In 1999 he lead the Sacramento Youth Symphony’s participation in the Tuscany Music Festival in northern Italy, and in 2003 led the orchestra on a highly successful 17 day tour to Brazil, where standing room only performances were enjoyed by the Brazilian population.

Neumann, who is well recognized for his talents, is also the Music Director of the Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra, founded in 2004, and has been playing to sold out houses since its inception.