Who is your favorite composer?  

It is very difficult for me to claim a single composer as my favorite. I very much like the music of Beethoven, Bruckner, Lutoslawski, Bartok and Stravinsky. I also love the music of a number of contemporary composers like Christopher Rouse and John Adams.
 
What is your favorite musical?

I like many of the Andrew Lloyd Weber musicals such as Evita, Cats and Phantom of the Opera.

I also like Les Miserables as well as The Lion King. I saw both of these in London and they were very well done especially Les Miserables.

What are the top songs on your mp3 player?

I use my mp3 whenever I am either on the treadmill or working out. It has a lot of great Trance music. I also have Queen, Jimmi Hendrix and Guns n’ Roses as well as many classical pieces.

What do you enjoy in your free time?  

I love reading. I do not get enough time to read. I am always reading 2-3 books at once.    

What inspires you as a conductor?

I am inspired by great music. I very much enjoy taking a composer’s blueprint, so to speak, and seeing it translated into sound. I am also very motivated and inspired by providing audiences with the great music that I genuinely love and value.  

Who would you consider your hero?

People who do good in this world!

How did you meet your wife?  

I met Diane at a party in Dallas, Texas. I was doing my doctoral work at the time at University of North Texas and was invited to a party. We met there and we immediately hit it off.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you choose?  

I am very happy where I am; however, I do have a few places in the world that I absolutely love: London, Paris, New York as well as Sicily in Italy. I would also very much love to visit Brazil and Antarctica.

What is your favorite food?

I love Lebanese as well as Mexican Food.

Do you have any non-musical hobbies?

I enjoy scuba diving, water skiing and running.