Colombian-American conductor and educator to lead CSO's youth and community programs beginning in the 2026–2027 season
CHATTANOOGA, TN — The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera (CSO) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Metrio as Resident Conductor and Creative Director of Education and Engagement, a newly created position that will play a central role in shaping the organization's educational programming and community outreach for years to come. Metrio will assume his responsibilities with the CSO beginning in the 2026–2027 season.
In this new role, Metrio will take on creative and administrative leadership of all CSO education and community engagement initiatives, serving as the primary architect of programming that connects the orchestra to schools, families, and communities across the greater Chattanooga region. Central to his responsibilities, Metrio will serve as Music Director of the Chattanooga Youth Symphony (CYS), the CSO's acclaimed youth orchestra program, overseeing all musical, educational, and administrative aspects of the ensemble. He will also conduct select CSO programs including education concerts, family concerts, and community events.
Concurrent with his appointment at the CSO, Metrio will also join the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as Director of Orchestra and Associate Professor of Practice, reflecting a shared commitment between the two institutions to artistic excellence and music education in the Chattanooga community.
As the CSO's primary ambassador for education and engagement, Metrio will lead the design and implementation of programs including Young People's Concerts, in-school residencies, masterclasses, and family programming. He will cultivate and manage relationships with schools, cultural institutions, and community organizations across the region, deepening the CSO's presence and expanding access to orchestral music for audiences of all backgrounds.
“We are excited to welcome David as our new Resident Conductor and educator. His track record of building dynamic, successful programs, combined with his passion for meaningful educational engagement, will be a tremendous asset to our organization," says Susan Caminez, Executive Director.
“I’m honored to join the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where there is a clear commitment to both artistic excellence and meaningful educational work,” said Metrio. “I’m excited to build on my experiences as both a conductor and educator while collaborating with the orchestra to create performances that inspire, connect, and engage the broader community.”
David Metrio is a Colombian-American conductor and music educator recognized for his dynamic podium presence and dedication to high-quality ensemble performance. He is in demand as a guest conductor and clinician, with engagements spanning honor orchestras, festivals, orchestral adjudications, and educational presentations throughout the United States. His ensembles have performed at such prominent venues and conferences as Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the American String Teachers Association National Orchestra Festival, and have been recognized through the Mark of Excellence/National Orchestra Honors project.
His conducting studies include work with Miguel Harth-Bedoya through The Conducting Institute and with Andrew Kim of the Berkshire Symphony, as well as participation in workshops and masterclasses with Marin Alsop, Donald Schleicher, and Carl Topilow.