Abel Phoenix Delgado—known professionally as Phoenix—is a world-class conductor and visionary leader whose career is defined by extraordinary artistic achievement, including having soloed as a flautist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the age of 21 and being named one of People Magazine’s “Heroes Among Us.” His mastery of orchestral and choral performance, coupled with a proven record of executive success, makes him a compelling finalist for the position of Music Director & Conductor of the Tahoe Symphony.

A true force on the global podium, Maestro Delgado was one of the esteemed winners of the 2025 International Respighi Prize Conducting Competition. He has led prominent ensembles across the nation, including the New York Chamber Orchestra and the Denver Philharmonic. Phoenix was named the Music Director & Conductor of the New Valley Symphony Orchestra in 2012, a role in which he served with distinction. His conducting resume includes serving as Assistant Conductor for the Pasadena Symphony and for the legendary Michael Tilson Thomas at Disney Hall, as well as leading the orchestra for the 2005 Grammy's Salute to Classical Music honoring Esa-Pekka Salonen, serving as Music Director & Conductor for Broadway, film, and television star Kristin Chenoweth (Broadway’s original 2003 Glinda in Wicked) in 2013 and conducting the Chamber Ensemble of Rome. 

Beyond the score, Phoenix is a powerhouse executive with a record of driving financial growth for major arts organizations. As the Associate Dean for Advancement for the USC Thornton School of Music for over 17 years, Phoenix successfully launched and completed the school's last major fundraising campaign, helping the institution raise nearly $100 million. He was also one of four senior administrators tasked with creating and launching the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Currently he oversees philanthropy for the global arts organization, Burning Man Project, and has successfully led one of the organization's most aggressive fundraising campaigns in his first year.  This financial acumen complements his early leadership role as the first major Executive Director of The Harmony Project, a non-profit organization that provides music education to underserved children. His work attracted national media attention, and he successfully forged a partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, assisting to create the framework for the LA Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) initiative for them and Gustavo Dudamel. As Music Director, he founded several orchestras for Harmony Project, which was ultimately honored at the White House by First Lady Michelle Obama with the Coming Up Taller Award. 

Maestro Delgado brings unique insight into both instrumental and vocal artistry. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, preceded by a Bachelor of Music in Flute/Vocal Performance and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting. His extensive training includes flute study with Jim Walker and Gary Woodward, classical voice with Elizabeth Hynes and Jonathan Mack, musical theater training with Gary Busby, and conducting with John Barnett (former Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic).

As an instrumentalist, Phoenix served as the Principal Flautist for the El Paso Opera for nine seasons as well as numerous other orchestras. This substantial orchestral leadership experience, combined with his status as an Interlochen Arts Academy alum, demonstrates his deep understanding of the instrumental ensemble.

His extensive vocal background includes being a tenor with the Los Angeles Choral Artists, performing in various USC Thornton opera productions, and leading church choirs. His experience with opera, choral, musical theater, and pop singing, provides him the foundation to guide and inspire singers and choruses across diverse repertoire. 

Furthermore, his training in classical ballet and modern dance enables collaboration with dance companies and provides deep insight into movement and musical timing in performance. 

For over a decade he served the Co-Director, conductor and flautist of Les Rencontres Franco-Américaines, France’s Franco-American Chamber Music Festival, a prestigious collaboration with the Paris Conservatoire, underscoring his international and chamber music experience. Furthermore, his experience in arts governance includes having served on several boards including as President of the Golden State Pops Orchestra, Vice President for the Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee for the Arts (LAPCA), the Young Musicians Foundation board of advisors, and Luminario Ballet.  

Phoenix’s comprehensive experience as a conductor, performer, executive, and board member positions him as the visionary leader ready to guide the Tahoe Symphony into its next exciting chapter of artistic and organizational growth. He has been widely featured in media, including the Los Angeles Times and People Magazine, and has been contacted by The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Oprah.