Keith Lockhart

Keith Lockhart is the Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, a position he has held since 1995, and Artistic Director of the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. He speaks on leadership, creativity, teamwork, and the power of music, drawing from three decades of leading “America’s Orchestra.” A captivating storyteller, Lockhart connects the art of conducting to lessons about collaboration, innovation, and inspiring excellence.

Boston Pops Legacy
His 30th anniversary in 2025 marks a tenure that includes over 2,250 performances, 45 national tours to more than 150 cities, and five international tours to Japan and Korea. He and the Pops have made 80 television shows and performed at major events including Super Bowl XXXVI, the 2008 NBA Finals, the 2013 Boston Red Sox Ring Ceremony, and Game 2 of the 2018 World Series. The annual July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular draws over half a million live spectators with millions more watching on television.

International Career
From 2010 to 2018, Lockhart served as Principal Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra, including conducting at Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012. He has conducted nearly every major symphony orchestra in North America plus the Royal Concertgebouw, London Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, and orchestras across Europe and Asia.

Awards & Education
Lockhart received the Bob Hope Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the Commonwealth Award, Massachusetts’ highest cultural honor. Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, he holds degrees from Furman University and Carnegie Mellon University along with multiple honorary doctorates.

What does Keith Lockhart speak about?

Keith Lockhart is the Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Brevard Music Center, having led the Pops through more than 2,250 performances and 45 national tours since 1995. He speaks on leadership, creativity, and the pursuit of excellence, drawing on decades of conducting nearly every major orchestra in North America and leading a large, complex organization through constant public performance pressure.

What is Keith Lockhart’s background?

Keith Lockhart is known for: Conductor of the Boston Pops since 1995, former Principal Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Concert, Massachusetts Commonwealth Award recipient.

Who books Keith Lockhart to speak?

Meeting planners book Keith Lockhart for leadership and creativity conferences that want a genuinely distinctive angle — orchestral leadership — from a working conductor who still leads over 2,000 live performances, not a business speaker using music as a metaphor.

A Conversation with Keith Lockhart