German conductor DIRK MEYER is Music Director of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra in Minnesota.
Having received much of his training in European opera houses, Meyer has always been passionate about opera. He has worked with several companies in the U.S. and abroad, and in 2013 he was appointed Music Director of the Lyric Opera of the North.
In 2012 Meyer was named First Prize Winner of The American Prize in orchestral conducting. He has guest conducted many orchestras, including the Orlando Philharmonic, Springfield Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Missouri Symphony and The Florida Orchestra. Recent engagements included Meyer’s debut with the Toronto and Edmonton Symphony Orchestras in Canada, as well as appearances with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and Symphoria in Syracuse. During the upcoming season he debuts with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, and he returns to conduct the Sarasota Orchestra in Florida.
Maestro Meyer is the author of “Chamber Orchestra and Ensemble Repertoire. A Catalog of Modern Music”, published by Scarecrow Press (2011). Possessing a special interest in contemporary music Meyer has led many world and U.S. premiers, including works by Arvo Pärt, Miguel del Aguila and Joby Talbot.
Between 2004-2006 Meyer served as Music Director to the Mason Symphony Orchestra and the Assistant Conductor of the Traverse Symphony. He also held the position of Assistant Conductor of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra.
Meyer has studied with teachers like Neeme Järvi and Jorma Panula and assisted with numerous performances at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein (Germany), as well as at the Vienna State Opera (Austria) and the Teatro Real in Madrid (Spain).
He holds Doctoral and Masters degrees from Michigan State University and Bachelor’s Degrees from the Folkwang Conservatory in Germany (music) and the University Duisburg-Essen (philosophy).