Highly regarded for his exhilarating interpretations, dynamic programming, and commitment to community, Devin Patrick Hughes is an American orchestral conductor known for reshaping what a symphony orchestra can be in the 21st century. He currently serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of Symphony of the Rockies and Music Director and Conductor of the Boulder Symphony & Music Academy, where he has led both organizations through significant artistic and organizational transformation.

Of Irish and Guatemalan descent, Hughes is recognized as a champion of access, education, and creativity in the orchestral world. His conducting career spans North America and Europe, where he has led ensembles including the Colorado Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina, Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, and others. He was a fellow at the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, and a prizewinner or featured participant in the Toscanini, Solti, Antal Doráti, and Erich Bergel international conducting competitions.

An innovative programmer and collaborator, Hughes curates concerts that bridge the traditional and the unexpected—pairing Beethoven and Brahms with living composers, film music, and popular genres to create powerful, genre-defying experiences. His leadership has included dozens of world premieres, composer residencies, and multimedia collaborations with painters, poets, filmmakers, dancers, and community organizations. Through his Discovery and Curiosity Concerts, he has created immersive symphonic experiences for thousands of students and families.

A passionate arts advocate and educator, Hughes founded the Boulder Symphony Music Academy, which now serves over 100 students and is committed to providing tuition support and inclusive access regardless of income. He has collaborated with partners such as Carnegie Hall’s Link Up, Boulder MUSE, I Have A Dream, Circle of Care, and El Sistema-inspired organizations. His outreach includes sensory-friendly performances for individuals with autism and dementia, school residencies, workshops, and interactive concerts that engage students as performers, composers, and cultural citizens.

Hughes has also launched impactful community programs in response to evolving societal needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he created the Virtual Virtuoso and Music Connects series and partnered with organizations including Balfour Senior Living, Community Food Share, and Breckenridge Brewery to deliver hybrid and outdoor performances that brought music directly to underserved populations.

He is equally active in opera and choral-orchestral repertoire, having led acclaimed productions of La Bohème, Le nozze di Figaro, Carmen, Carmina Burana, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and Brahms’ German Requiem, among others. He regularly commissions and premieres new works by living composers, including Ozie Cargile, Austin Wintory, and Gregory T.S. Walker, and has served as an adjudicator, clinician, and speaker across the U.S.

Hughes also hosts the acclaimed One Symphony podcast, where he amplifies the voices of composers, performers, and thought leaders shaping the future of music. In addition to conducting and curating concerts, he develops innovative educational initiatives, composer residencies, and multimedia collaborations that redefine the role of the modern orchestra. As a recognized leader in symphonic innovation and music accessibility, Hughes continues to expand the reach and relevance of orchestral music across generations and communities.