Ernest Richardson took the helm as SSO Music Director in the fall of 2004, and has overseen the transformation of the organization from a community orchestra to a polished professional ensemble. Ernest is also the Artistic Director & CEO of the Rocky Mountain Summer Conservatory, a nationally recognized summer music school and festival located in Steamboat Springs.

Ernest has served as resident conductor with the Omaha Symphony since the 1992/93 season. In addition to conducting the successful Symphony Pops series, he is the chief architect of the Omaha Symphony’s outreach and education programs. Ernest's achievements in Omaha were foreshadowed by his success with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, where he began his conducting career. He founded and served as music director and conductor for the Phoenix Chamber Players (1987) and the Phoenix Symphony Baroque Ensemble (1989). In addition, he guest conducted the Phoenix Symphony during the 1993/94 season. Ernest came to the Phoenix Symphony as a violist in 1984, appearing later as a soloist and acting associate principal. In 1990, his talents were added to the Phoenix Symphony String Quartet.

Ernest works with young musicians and has been guest conductor and clinician for regional and all-state orchestras in Arizona and Nebraska, the Phoenix Symphony Guild Youth Orchestra, Omaha Area Youth Orchestra, as well as festivals in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the University of Georgia. He has also guest conducted with the Nashville Symphony, Opera Omaha, Fort Collins (Colo.) Symphony, Battle Creek (Mich.) Symphony, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony and the Cheyenne Symphony.

Ernest’s compositions and arrangements for orchestra have been performed by the Phoenix Chamber Players, the Phoenix Symphony, and the Omaha Symphony. Ernest’s chamber music has been performed throughout the United States.

Ernest began studying the violin at the age of three with his father, Dr. Vernal Ernest. He continued his string education at Indiana University with Tadeusz Wronski, later concentrating on the viola at the University of Michigan with Donald McInnes. Ernest studied conducting with Samuel Krachmalnick and Gustav Meier. While attending the University of Michigan, Ernest also studied composition with William Albright.

Ernest enjoys using his black belt training in tae kwon as a tool to instruct students to better prepare for the physical rigors of music-making.