Edwin Outwater

Edwin Outwater serves as Collegiate Music Director at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), where he leads the SFCM Orchestra and teaches conducting. Described as 'one of the most innovative conductors on the scene today,' Outwater has built a distinguished career spanning major orchestras worldwide and groundbreaking cross-genre collaborations that bridge classical traditions with contemporary music.

His educational background includes a Master of Music from UC Santa Barbara and a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University, where he wrote comedy bits for The Harvard Din & Tonics singing group—foreshadowing his later creative collaborations. At SFCM, he teaches Applied Lessons and Large Ensemble for Conductors, emphasizing his philosophy that 'there is no tempo, only momentum!'

Outwater's professional focus centers on creating innovative concert experiences that make classical music accessible to broader audiences. His work frequently premieres new compositions while connecting listeners with repertoire beyond the mainstream through collaborations with artists ranging from Metallica and Beck to Yo-Yo Ma and Renée Fleming. He believes cross-genre projects like his work with Beck serve as 'a bridge to getting [listeners] to that symphony.'

His recording portfolio features the GRAMMY-winning Philharmonia Fantastique with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, S&M2 with Metallica, and Police Deranged for Orchestra with Stewart Copeland. These projects demonstrate his versatility across musical genres and commitment to expanding orchestral performance boundaries.

• GRAMMY Award for Philharmonia Fantastique (2021)
• Music Director Laureate of Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
• Resident Conductor of San Francisco Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas
• Creator of 'Holiday Gaiety' LGBTQ holiday concert with Peaches Christ

As an educator, Outwater has mentored distinguished alumni including Jaco Wong (Assistant Conductor with Oakland Symphony) and David Baker (Assistant Conductor Finalist with New World Symphony). His upcoming projects include conducting the SFCM Orchestra's 2025-2026 season performances and collaborating with Beck at San Francisco's Outside Lands festival, continuing his mission to transform how audiences experience orchestral music through wonder and innovation.