Dutch-American conductor Robert Kahn is known for his clarity, versatility, and command of both operatic and symphonic repertoire. A recipient of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, he was recently named a finalist in the Great Falls Symphony’s search for a music director for its 67th season. He currently works closely with singers and creative teams at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, and in March of 2026 he makes his Dutch National Opera debut, conducting Hannah Kendall’s The Knife of Dawn in Amsterdam.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) and the Solti Foundation U.S. announced in March of 2026 that Kahn has been named CSO Assistant Conductor for the 2026/27 Season. In the role, he will offer support as a cover conductor for the CSO during select subscription concert weeks, and lead youth concerts in March 2027, as well as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and young musicians in the January 2027 finals of the Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition.
In 2022, Kahn completed the Conducting Fellowship at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he was mentored by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Since then, he has built strong relationships with major orchestras across North America. Kahn has collaborated with several of the world’s leading orchestras, serving as cover conductor for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic. In the summer of 2024, he joined the New York Philharmonic on tour in Vail and Asia, and was recently invited by the Rotterdam Philharmonic to assist Yannick Nézet-Séguin on a major European tour of Wagner’s Die Walküre. As a guest conductor, Kahn conducted the Mannes School of Music’s (Un)Silent Film production featuring Metropolis in concert, as well as Music On Site’s production of Don Giovanni.
In the 2024–2025 season, Kahn returned to the Mannes School of Music to conduct a contemporary opera and led Così fan tutte with the Academy of Vocal Arts. As a music director finalist, he made his subscription debut with the Marin Symphony in California. He also served as cover conductor for Opera Philadelphia’s production of Don Giovanni, and returned to cover several programs with the New York Philharmonic.
Widely praised for his interpretive insight across a broad repertoire, Kahn brings particular fluency to classical and romantic works, having led complete symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky. His work also extends into 20th-century masterworks, including Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, and Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress. A compelling operatic interpreter, he has conducted a wide range of repertoire from Mozart’s Da Ponte trilogy to Puccini’s Il Trittico, and has developed a growing affinity for Wagner, assisting on Das Rheingold and Die Walküre with the Rotterdam Philharmonic under Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
He has contributed to numerous operatic productions at leading conservatories, including work with Juilliard Opera, Curtis Opera, and Mannes Opera, where he led rehearsals and coached young artists. As a recipient of the Julius Rudel Conducting Fellowship, he collaborated with the Buffalo Philharmonic under JoAnn Falletta, returning to lead the orchestra in concert. He also worked with Miguel Harth-Bedoya and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, assisting on subscription programs.
A strong advocate for new music, Kahn has collaborated with composer David Hertzberg and mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey, conducting the studio recording of The Rose Elf — named a Critic’s Pick by Opera News. He also conducted the work in a digital co-production by LA Opera and Opera Omaha, in partnership with the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE). As associate conductor for On Site Opera, he led the premiere of a newly commissioned opera by John Musto at the American Museum of Natural History, and conducted contemporary works for Opera Philadelphia’s Double Exposure workshop.
Kahn earned both his master’s degree and professional studies diploma in orchestral conducting from the Mannes School of Music, where he studied with David Hayes. He also holds a double bachelor’s degree in physics and clarinet from Johns Hopkins University and the Peabody Conservatory.
