Samuel Gelber is the Director of Artistic Planning of the Washington National Opera at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He oversees the company's artistic activities in collaboration with Artistic Director Francesca Zambello. He holds the primary responsibility of the casting of singers and conductors. He has proudly served on the juries of significant singing competitions including: Operalia, Joan Pons International Singing Competition, and The Galina Vishnevskaya Competition.

Prior to his appointment at the Kennedy Center, Mr. Gelber was Artistic Administrator at the Los Angeles Opera. In this capacity, he worked in direct collaboration with Plácido Domingo, James Conlon, and Susan Graham in developing and casting the company’s artistic initiatives. He additionally supervised the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program and Music Administration Department.

Gelber was previously Artistic Coordinator of the Metropolitan Opera where he worked on the casting and planning of future seasons. He began his career in artist management working with artists as diverse as Renée Fleming, Lawrence Brownlee, Marco Armiliato, and Julia Fischer. He is a native of Houston, Texas and studied music in New York City at Manhattan School of Music.