Since being appointed Music Director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in 2023, Chad Goodman has been praised for elevating the orchestra to new artistic heights and dramatically expanding its impact in the community. In his first two seasons he led the ESO premieres of more than a dozen works, increased community engagement through run-out concerts and captivating presentations, and spearheaded the orchestra’s first ever Día de los Muertos concert, uniting the symphony with folkloric dance and vocals in a city-wide cultural celebration. In recognition of his committed work, Goodman was named Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras in 2025.

As a guest conductor, Goodman has led orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, and Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Puebla (OSEP). 

From 2019 to 2023, Goodman served as the Conducting Fellow of the New World Symphony and Assistant Conductor to Michael Tilson Thomas. In addition to leading the orchestra on subscription, education, and special event programs, he collaborated with videographers, animators, and light designers to push the boundaries of how classical music can be presented. Since 2018, Goodman has been an Assistant Conductor to the San Francisco Symphony, working with Esa-Pekka Salonen, Herbert Blomstedt, Michael Tilson Thomas, Elim Chan, Manfred Honeck, Daniel Harding, and Simone Young, among others.

Goodman additionally leads workshops that teach young musicians the business skills needed to successfully navigate the music world. Forbes praised the conductor’s bold strides both on and off stage and hailed him as “An entrepreneur bringing innovation to classical music.” In 2022 he published the book You Earned a Music Degree. Now What?

Goodman holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Music degree from San Francisco State University. His mentors include Michael Tilson Thomas and Alasdair Neale.

Media

Press

“Over the past four seasons, Goodman has been called upon to fill in for Michael Tilson Thomas and other conductors as well as play a major role in the orchestra’s streamed season of chamber music and chamber orchestra performances during the Covid pandemic. He has consistently risen to the challenges, offering well rehearsed, musically insightful performances.

“Goodman’s pitch perfect combination of abandon and subtlety effectively conveyed Kodaly’s mix of symphonic brilliance and indigenous authenticity.” 

- Lawrence Budman
South Florida Classical Review

Making his final appearance as NWS conducting fellow, Chad Goodman directed the evening’s most satisfying performance. His lithe, cogent account of the Overture to Mozart’s The Magic Flute was thrown off with spare vibrato, crisp attacks and bracing articulation. This stylish Mozart, executed with verve, was a fitting coda to Goodman’s four-year tenure during which he was called upon to take over performances from Michael Tilson Thomas and other previously scheduled conductors.

-Lawrence Budman
South Florida Classical Review

“Goodman drew robust and precise articulation from the string players and illuminated the score’s vivid imagery and sense of wonder.”

- Lawrence Budman
South Florida Classical Review

“Goodman led the orchestra with precision, agility and fervor, introducing a note of serenity into the heroic themes. The dynamic nuances were especially well-shaped and the strings shone in the majestic final section.”

- Nevena Stanić Kovačevic
South Florida Classical Review

“Asimismo auspicioso fue el debut del flamante becario en dirección orquestal Chad Goodman a cargo de la obertura Egmont de la música incidental de Beethoven sobre la pieza de Goethe. Curiosa aunque apropiadamente lenta en los compases iniciales, Goodman supo dibujar con la amable colaboración del oboe, un crescendo notable para llegar a la reciedumbre beethoveniana con el requerido rigor heroico de este poema tonal en miniatura.”

- Sebastian Spreng
Miami Clásica

"There was an overwhelming sense of danger in the way director Chad Goodman pushed the players to expressive extremes. Yet this wasn’t some messy free-for-all — Goodman charted a clear formal trajectory, taking his time with the ascending stacks of fourths and Tristan-like pillar chords that serve as structural markers throughout the piece."

"Elevate offered a performance brimming with ecstasy"

"the group [Elevate Ensemble] did manage to channel the energy of an all-out brawl into their exhilarating interpretation."

- Joe Cadagin
San Francisco Classical Voice
 

"Conductor Chad Goodman led the work [Mason Bates' Garages of the Valley] with energy and precision, producing an impressive result in the playing."

- David Bratman
San Mateo Daily Journal
 

"Under the direction of Chad Goodman, harpsichordist Derek Tam and the members of Elevate...ignited their intimate performance space while shattering stereotypes about how a harpsichord should sound."

- Jessica Balik
San Francisco Classical Voice
 

Publications

 You Earned a Music Degree. Now What?
A Working Musician’s Field Guide

Learn how to successfully navigate the world as a working musician.

Have you found it difficult to establish your footing in the music world? Are you wondering how to authentically build your brand and set yourself apart?

You are not alone.

In this book, you will learn everything from how to hone your self-promotion skills to how to break into the music scene in your city. You will learn how to build a private teaching studio and even stage your own concerts.

Take control of your future and create your own path in the music world.