David Wayne Waltman

In his eighth season as Music Director of Rainier Symphony, David Waltman has developed an international reputation for both compelling symphonic interpretations and an extraordinary ability to inspire orchestras to new levels of achievement. In addition to his current appointments as Music Director of Rainier Symphony, Music Director of the Port Gardner Bay Chamber Orchestra and Permanent Guest Conductor of the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra in Russia, Mr. Waltman maintains an active guest conducting schedule in the US and abroad.

David has a keen interest in the continuing evolution of symphony orchestras in the 21st century, with a particular emphasis on sustainable business models and increasing community access. In 2005, with the cooperation of business and community leaders in King County, Washington, David launched the Third Millennium Orchestra Project, intended to develop a "best practices" model for a sustainable 21st century regional orchestra. As part of this project, David has greatly expanded Rainier Symphony's community relationships through collaborations with the Evergreen City Ballet, the Tukwila School District, Emerald Ballet Theatre, ChoralSounds Northwest, the Issaquah Chorale, the Everett Chorale and numerous other performing and visual arts organizations in the region.

For nearly two decades, David has also been a sought after clinician and teacher, and has led conducting workshops in Washington state, Hawaii, California, Washington D.C, Colorado, Arizona, New York and Maryland. David's current and former conducting students have been directors or officers assigned to numerous elite military ensembles, including the US Navy Band, the US Naval Academy Band, the US Navy Pacific Fleet Band, the 82nd Airborne Division Band, Navy Band Southwest, Navy Band Southeast, Navy Band Northwest, the 70th Army Band and the NATO Ground Forces Band in Naples, Italy.