OUR CONDUCTOR

A young man dressed as a conductor in a tuxedo with a white bow tie and red pocket square, standing in front of a colorful decorated background, holding a conductor's baton, and smiling at the camera.

Adam DePriest

Adam DePriest is a conductor and violinist from Aiken, SC with a BM and two MM degrees from the University of South Carolina where he studied violin under William Terwilliger and Neil Casey and conducting under Donald Portnoy. Mr. DePriest has received additional conducting training from Grant Cooper, Salvatore Di Vittorio, John Ferrer, Lawrence Golan, Peter Jaffe, Jorge Mester, Toshiyuki Shimada, Robert Spano, Edvard Tchivzhel, and Neil Thompson.

Receiving his start at an early age, Mr. DePriest made his solo debut with the Augusta Symphony on the violin at the age of 12 and the double bass at 18 after less than two years with the instrument. He has continued to be a sought-after performer who is well-versed with many experiences ranging from ensemble leadership to solo appearances and recording studio sessions. Mr. DePriest actively performs with several regional professional orchestras including SC Philharmonic and Augusta Symphony.

As a music education advocate, Mr. DePriest is a regular guest clinician for orchestra festivals in SC. He teaches private lessons and directs after school programs in Columbia, Newberry, Chapin, and Aiken, SC as well as in Augusta, GA. Mr. DePriest is currently a faculty member for the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at USC Aiken and the Music Department at Newberry College. He oversees string-related studies, teaching applied lessons and string methods, directs ensembles, and teaches music appreciation. Making a local impact, Mr. DePriest helped to found, facilitate, and launch strings programs at Aiken Center for the Arts, Augusta Preparatory Day School, and Episcopal Day School (Augusta). Mr. DePriest has established valuable educational programs through Aiken Civic Orchestra and helped to coordinate outreach initiatives with the Joye in Aiken festival and other community organizations. Mr. DePriest directs the Play It Forward program in Chapin, SC as part of the Becker Family Foundation since 2025.

As an innovative and engaging conductor, Mr. DePriest has directed ensembles for about 20 years. He consistently elevates them to achieve high levels of musicianship, sparking continued growth and motivation while providing a visible community presence and source of pride. Mr. DePriest has worked with such guest artists as Rachel Barton Pine, John O’Conor, Awadagin Pratt, Petronel Malan, Wendy Warner, and others. In addition to directing the Newberry Chamber Orchestra, Mr. DePriest directed Aiken Youth Orchestras and is the founder and director of Augusta Virtuosi and Aiken Philharmonic.