When Daniel Wachter first stepped into Boettcher Concert Hall, he felt something he hadn’t in a long time since moving to Colorado in the middle of the 2020 pandemic: a sense of home and belonging. The energy of the musicians, the richness of the music, and the sense of community that filled the space instantly struck a chord. Now, as the newly appointed President & CEO of the Colorado Symphony, Wachter is bringing his passion for the arts, decades of global leadership experience, and deep commitment to community to Denver’s and Colorado’s premier symphonic institution.
Having served on the Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra from 2018-2023, Wachter officially stepped into the role on April 1, 2025, while his connection to the Colorado Symphony began well before that, first as a patron, then as a member of the Board of Trustees in 2023, and as Co-Vice Chair as of summer 2024. Over that time, he’s helped launch bold initiatives, including the “Conducting Business Leadership” workshop series, and was instrumental in forging a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Bayerische Philharmonie in Munich, Germany — an initiative that enhances the economic City-to-City partnership between Denver and Munich culturally.
“Music has always been a powerful joy and force in my life,” says Wachter. “It’s not just entertainment, it’s essential soul-food and creates connection, creativity, and expression.”
Wachter’s journey to this moment is as global as it is inspiring. A seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience leading organizations across industries — from protective and healthcare packaging to specialty chemistry — he most recently served as CEO of Chromatic Technologies, Inc. (CTI) in Colorado Springs. A polyglot fluent in English, German, and French, he brings an international sensibility to our mission: pioneering the future of live symphonic music and therefore ensuring that the Colorado Symphony continues to thrive and be heard in more places as a cornerstone of Colorado’s cultural landscape.
That mission includes several ambitious goals. Chief among them: innovating, and expanding the Symphony’s reach to underserved communities across our city and state, growing partnerships that bridge the arts and business, and advancing long-needed efforts to renovate Boettcher Concert Hall for future generations.
“Boettcher Concert Hall is the instrument of our orchestra and our home, and like any home, it must stay safe, accessible, and inspiring,” Wachter says. “Great cities like Denver have a great orchestra like the Colorado Symphony, and they need a great concert hall. Therefore, renovating Boettcher Concert Hall will be a forward-looking commitment to the people we serve and the music we create. It’s about ensuring this space remains a hub for community connection for the next decades.”
At the same time, Wachter is laser-focused on increasing access to the transformative power of live symphonic music. That means strengthening programs that bring music into schools, libraries, and other community spaces; creating new experiences that resonate across cultures and generations; and working to ensure that every Coloradan sees themselves reflected in the work of the orchestra.
“We have a responsibility, and a privilege, to serve all people,” Wachter says. “I want kids in rural towns and urban neighborhoods, longtime classical fans and brand-new listeners, to all feel: this is their Symphony, and they belong here.”
He brings not only professional credentials — including an Executive MBA from Steinbeis University in collaboration with institutions in Germany, Switzerland, and the U.S. — but a serving leadership philosophy rooted in collaboration and innovation. He’s hosted arts-focused leadership podcasts, built cultural diplomacy programs, and championed the intersection of business and creativity for years.
“Great organizations don’t settle,” Wachter says. “They preserve and sustain, and they take themselves out of comfort zones, innovate, grow, and dream bigger. That’s what the Colorado Symphony can and will do.”
Wachter lives in Colorado Springs and Denver together with his wife Tina, their daughters Louisa and Fiona are students at Denver University and CU Boulder. An avid cyclist and snowboarder, he’s quickly made Colorado’s landscapes and communities his own. In 2022, the Wachter family became U.S. citizens while retaining their German citizenship, deepening their ties to the country and state they now call home.
As the Colorado Symphony looks ahead to its second century, Wachter is eager to turn inspiration into action. “There is extraordinary momentum here,” he says. “From the excellent artistry of our musicians, conductors, and artistic leadership to the passion of our audiences, this organization is alive with possibility. And I couldn’t be more honored to help shape what comes next.”