Richard McKay is a conductor of the symphonic and operatic repertory across the United States, Europe and South America. An established leader in the vibrant Dallas arts community, his recent performances have been hailed by critics as “spellbinding,” “finely paced,” and “perfectly shaped.” He currently serves as artistic director of the Dallas Chamber Symphony, a professional performance ensemble, which he founded in 2011. www.dcsymphony.org

McKay has been lauded for his fresh approach to classical programing, and for creating the innovative and entertaining combinations of widely varied repertoire heard at his regular subscription performances, and for which the DCS has become well known. D Magazine describes him as a “conductor [whose] long-term vision is [for the DCS to become] precisely the kind of eclectic and occasionally challenging classic group Dallas really needs.” The Dallas Morning News has praised the orchestra as not only “an ensemble with real potential to enrich the local arts scene,” but also one whose recent performances, led by McKay, were “as eager and expressive as they were accomplished.”

McKay is the creator of the orchestra’s award-winning Silent Film Series, a popular ongoing project for which original scores are commissioned and premiered to concert screenings of classic silent films. He also established Sight of Sound, an international film and music event presented annually at City Performance Hall, for which filmmakers create original movies for pairing with the orchestra’s live performances. www.sightofsound.org

Passionate about music education, McKay created TechNotes, an original music and technology curriculum designed for elementary school students. The initiative delivers interactive videoconferences, assembly concerts and individual musician visits to local elementary school classrooms. Activities are paired with a digital supplement for iPads and personal computers — which he co-authored — in order to prepare area youth for field-trip concerts to see the orchestra. For emerging professional pianists, he founded the Dallas International Piano Competition, an annual educational program presented in partnership between the DCS and the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU. The event provides master classes, awards, and orchestral performance opportunities for its participants. www.dallasipc.org

An entrepreneur who is well versed in the complex and multi-faceted operations of the modern performing arts nonprofit, McKay is frequently in demand as a guest speaker and arts consultant on a broad range of music industry topics. He was recently a speaker at the South By Southwest Music Festival, where he presented on “How new technologies have transformed the modern symphony orchestra”. McKay is also committed to community service, having recently served on the Plano Symphony’s Educational Program Advisory Committee, and as an adjudicator for local youth education events, such as the Collin Country Young Artist Competition.

He holds a doctorate from the Peabody Conservatory, where he trained with Gustav Meier and Markand Thakar, while serving as the assistant conductor of the Peabody Orchestras and Opera. He graduated with a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from The University of Texas at Austin, where he served as Music Director of the University Orchestra and conductor at the Butler Opera Center. Also at the University, he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. www.richardmckay.net