American Ballet Theatre has appointed David LaMarche as its Music Director, effective 1 August 2026.
LaMarche joined ABT in 1998 and has spent nearly three decades conducting performances across the company’s repertory in New York and on tour. His relationship with the company began as a pianist before he moved into conducting.
ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe said LaMarche’s deep knowledge of the dancers, musicians and repertory made him particularly suited to the position.
“Our orchestra is vital to the success of everything we do onstage, and that success depends on a true partnership between our musicians and our dancers,” Jaffe said.
“David has lived that partnership for nearly thirty years. He understands our dancers, our repertory and our history in a way that few others do, and I could not be prouder to welcome him into this new role.”
LaMarche said ABT had remained at the centre of his professional life for almost 30 years.
“Both the dancers and the orchestra perform at the highest level, and I love being the conduit between these terrific artists,” he said. “I look forward to building on this relationship and finding new ways to involve the orchestra in the future of the company.”
Alongside his extensive work with ABT, LaMarche has conducted for San Francisco Ballet, New York City Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and the Paris Opera.
He has also directed orchestras including the Houston Symphony, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Paris Opera Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic and Hong Kong Philharmonic. Since 2022, he has served as Music Director of the Paul Taylor Dance Company and is an adjunct faculty member at the Juilliard School.
Before joining ABT, LaMarche was Music Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem from 1993 to 1998. During that period, he conducted numerous premieres and composed and arranged scores for the company’s repertory.
His career in dance spans more than 40 years, establishing him as one of ballet’s most experienced conductors and musical collaborators.
LaMarche’s appointment continues a relationship built over almost three decades, while placing the orchestra more firmly within ABT’s artistic future.