Michael Stanley is a multi-talented conductor and instrumentalist based in

Southern California, who has performed in such world-renowned venues as

Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and UCLA’s Royce Hall.  

As a conductor, his performances have garnered outstanding reviews,

with the Los Angeles Times proclaiming that “…[his] ensemble

performed beautifully.”  He is currently the Music Director and Conductor

of both the Burbank Philharmonic and the Westlake Village Symphony. 

 

Mr. Stanley has conducted both nationally and internationally, including 

leading the prestigious YMF Debut Orchestra at the finals of the 2019

Christopher Parkening International Guitar Competition.  In addition, 

he has appeared as guest conductor with orchestras across the US, such

as the West Valley Symphony in Surprise, AZ and the Beach Cities

Symphony in Southern California.  Mr. Stanley’s versatility has also led 

him to conduct numerous pit orchestras in shows ranging from 

Sweeney Todd to Jesus Christ Superstar.

 

An advocate for new music, he has commissioned, conducted and

premiered many compositions in a variety of genres by well-known

composers, including Americans Peter Boyer and Eric Ewazen. 

As a concerto conductor, he has collaborated with such notables as

David Singer, Principal Clarinet Emeritus of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra,

and numerous talented young soloists through his work with the

Burbank Philharmonic’s Hennings-Fischer Young Artist Competition.

​​​

Mr. Stanley is a devoted music educator who provides musical opportunities to young people from diverse communities. In his role as a conductor and teaching artist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) program, an El Sistema-based music education program, and the Young Musicians Foundation, he provides music instruction to underserved youth in the Los Angeles area.  He is also proud to be the inaugural director of the Burbank Philharmonic’s “Discovery Conductor Project,” a unique program for high school-age conductors which provides mentoring and performance experience with a professional orchestra.  During his more than 20 years of music teaching experience, he has served on the faculties of College of the Canyons and Los Angeles Valley College and been honored as “Teacher of the Year” for his outstanding teaching and dedication to his students. He is also a sought-after festival adjudicator and clinician throughout Southern California.​

​

Mr. Stanley holds a DMA in Conducting from Claremont Graduate University, where he studied with Dr. David Rentz.  He received his MM in Orchestral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach, under the tutelage of Dr. Richard Rintoul.  Among his many additional conducting teachers and mentors are Kenneth Kiesler, Jeffrey Schindler, Neil Thomson, Scott Weiss and Gary Pratt.  Mr. Stanley earned his BA in Music summa cum laude from UCLA, majoring in French horn with Richard Todd.  He continues to play horn regularly in regional orchestras throughout Southern California.