Daniel Hege is widely recognized as one of America’s finest conductors, earning critical acclaim for his fresh interpretations of the standard repertoire and for his commitment to creative programming. He served for eleven seasons as the Music Director of the Syracuse Symphony and, in June 2009, was appointed Music Director of the Wichita Symphony. As of the 2015/16 season, he was named Principal Guest Conductor of the Tulsa Symphony, and in May 2018 was appointed to the position of Music Director of the Binghamton Philharmonic.  

Mr. Hege has conducted a number of cutting-edge concerts, including Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle, with the legendary Samuel Ramey in the title role and sets by the glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, and semi-staged productions of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel and South Pacific in collaboration with Music Theatre Wichita. 

Daniel Hege received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1987 from Bethel College, Kansas where he majored in music and history. He continued his studies at the University of Utah, where he received a Master of Music degree in orchestra conducting, founded the University Chamber Orchestra, and served as Assistant Conductor of the University Orchestra and Music Director of the Utah Singers. He subsequently studied with Paul Vermel at the Aspen Music Festival and in Los Angeles with noted conductor and pedagogue Daniel Lewis. 

A native of Colorado, Mr. Hege is proud of his Native American Heritage. He is Nimi:pu (Nez Perce), a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, and his grandfather, Boyd Eagle Piatote, was a jazz musician and composer.