The wide-ranging and versatile George Manahan has had an esteemed career ranging from opera to the concert stage, from traditional to contemporary. Additionally, he continues his commitment to working with young musicians as director of orchestral activities at the Manhattan School of Music, and as guest conductor at Curtis Institute of Music and Merola Opera Program.

Mr. Manahan is the 2012 winner of the Ditson Conductor's Award, the oldest award honoring conductors for their support of American music—previous recipients include James Levine, Christopher Keene, Leopold Stokowsky, Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Ormandy, and Alan Gilbert.

Mr. Manahan served as music director of New York City Opera, Portland Opera, and American Composers Orchestra. Guest appearances include the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and the symphonies of Atlanta, San Francisco, Hollywood Bowl, and New Jersey, where he served as acting music director for four seasons. He is a regular guest with the Music Academy of the West and the Aspen Music Festival and School, and has also appeared with opera companies of San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle, Chicago, Santa Fe, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Opéra National de Paris, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Bergen Festival (Norway), and Casals Festival (Puerto Rico).