Brian Eads

Brian Eads is a conductor whose career spans classical, pops, musical theater, and contemporary symphonic projects. He is the former music director of the 2024 Les Misérables World Arena Tour, as well as music director of the 2017 and 2022 Les Misérables North American Tours. Eads is recognized for his musical versatility and his engaging rapport with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. 

Eads’ touring credits extend beyond traditional repertoire into the world of video game music, including performances of the beloved Stardew Valley score and the acclaimed soundtrack from Death Stranding, with upcoming tours across the United States and Mexico City. His work as a professional arranger and orchestrator has been heard in performances by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Utah Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. Recently Grammy-nominated as a producer and arranger, Eads is an artist with Club44 Records and maintains an active career in Nashville as a producer, arranger, and orchestrator across classical, pops, jazz, musical theater, the American Songbook, and gospel. 

Trained as a concert pianist, Eads began his career as a collaborative pianist, working most notably with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Sylvia McNair. He has appeared as guest conductor with the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, Lima Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and the Princeton Festival Orchestra. He has served as cover conductor with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and, on three occasions, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A return engagement to his alma mater, Indiana University, saw him lead a celebrated production of HMS Pinafore. 

Born and raised in rural Mississippi, Eads credits the Boston Pops as an early inspiration — one of his very first CDs was a collection of John Williams film scores performed by the orchestra. 

Eads holds a Master of Music in orchestral conducting from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Delta State University and is currently a doctoral candidate in orchestral conducting at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.