Known for his dynamic and inspiring leadership on and off the podium, Shawn Storer is making a profound musical impact throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region and beyond. His interpretations and performances have been called everything from “substantial” to “memorable” and “stellar” to “orgasmic”. He has been praised by musicians, boards and audiences alike for his versatility in working with musicians of all levels, always soliciting the highest level of artistry. Currently, he is Music Director of the Light Opera Company of Southern Maryland, Music Director of the Washington Savoyards and Assistant Conductor of the Prince George’s Philharmonic. He has served as Music Director of the Charles Street Chamber Players and the Tantalus Chamber Orchestra, Assistant Conductor of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and Assistant and Cover Conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra on multiple occasions.

Hailed as a “hip, young, upcoming talent” by the Towson Times and equally at home in orchestral, operatic, contemporary and musical theatre genres, his recent and upcoming stage work includes performances of Iolanthe, the Magic Flute, Man of la Mancha, the Merry Widow, the Mikado, Naughty Marietta, the Old Maid and the Thief and Tartuffe. He was also chosen as one of twenty-four conductors from around the world to participate in the Vakhtang Jordania International Conducting Competition in Kharkov, Ukraine.

Shawn holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting from the Catholic University of America, a Masters Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Peabody Conservatory, a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, and furthered his training as an inaugural member of the American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival. Described as an engaging public speaker, he has participated in numerous pre-concert discussions, television and radio interviews and has been a frequent guest on WBJC 91.5 FM Baltimore’s Classical Station and CNN Headline News. His principal teachers include Gustav Meier, Murry Sidlin, Kate Tamarkin, David Zinman, Markand Thakar and David Searle. He has participated in conducting master classes with Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, Jorma Panula, Donald Thulean, James Conlon and Jonathan Sternberg.

While remaining firmly rooted in classical traditions and styles, Shawn is an advocate of performing new music by living composers, having commissioned and performed music by some of America’s most promising young talents. In addition, he conducted the world premiere of his own work, Dolorous Abyss: Reflections on Dante’s Inferno. His performance of Libby Larsen’s Ring of Fire with the Peabody Concert Orchestra prompted the composer to write, “Mr. Storer’s performance was stellar. The orchestra was crisp and clean, executing the rhythm with precision, and the textures were brilliantly balanced.” As an avid collaborator with other arts mediums and organizations, he has conducted for numerous special events including the opening dedication of Peabody Conservatory’s Griswold Hall, the presentation of Nectar and Ambrosia: an Evening of Music and Art with the Tantalus Chamber Orchestra and headed a collaborative project between the BCO and the Maryland Film Festival.

A firm believer in the importance of Music Education for all ages, he taught Basic Conducting and Advanced Instrumental Conducting at Catholic University and served as Conductor of the Chesapeake Youth Concert Orchestra for five seasons. His course, Behind the Scenes at the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, offered through Johns Hopkins University Odyssey received outstanding reviews. Dedicated to the community in which he lives, he served for three years as a Mayoral appointed member of the Greenbelt City Council Arts Advisory Board. As a trombonist, he has performed in such world-renowned venues as the Meyerson Symphony Center, the John F. Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

Please refer to Mr. Storer's website at http://www.shawnstorer.com for more information.