Music director Pete Nowlen has been a dynamic part of the northern California musical scene for nearly thirty years. He is dedicated to renewing and sustaining classical music’s relevance in our society, and his career has led him to surprisingly diverse opportunities.

Currently, he holds artistic and musical director positions with the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, Symphony d’Oro, Camerata California Chamber Choir and Orchestra, the CalCap Chamber Music Workshop, and Sacramento’s VITA Academy. He is the director of the Wind Symphony of the California Youth Symphony in the South Bay and is Artistic Director Emeritus of Music in the Mountains. Pete has mentored a generation of musicians and music educators for our region and beyond, having taught at CSU Sacramento for 30 years. He has been a member of the UC Davis faculty since 1988.

As a guest conductor, Pete has led performances of the Sacramento, Auburn, Camellia, Veridian, UC Davis, and CSUS Symphonies as well as the Sacramento Philharmonic. He has served as musical director for more than a dozen theatrical programs ranging from La bohéme, Magic Flute and Hansel und Gretel to Rocky Horror Show and Little Shop of Horrors.