A Broadway veteran renowned for his expressive, high-energy style, William Waldrop brings an unparalleled musical versatility and magnetic presence to symphony stages all across the United States.

William Waldrop is a Broadway Music Director, Conductor, and Pianist whose dynamic presence on the podium has captivated audiences throughout the United States and abroad. Most recently, he served as Music Supervisor and Music Director for Cats: The Jellicle Ball at New York City’s landmark new Perelman Performing Arts Center—praised by The New York Times for his “gorgeous” choral direction. Prior to that role, he was the Associate Conductor for Broadway’s longest-running musical, The Phantom of the Opera.

Waldrop is equally comfortable conducting from the pit or center stage with a symphony orchestra. Renowned for his expressive, high-energy style, he is a sought-after guest conductor across the U.S., known for leading thrilling concert experiences across a wide array of genres—from Broadway and the American Songbook to Rock & Roll, Swing, Motown, and the unforgettable music of The Beatles.

He has led performances with many of the nation’s most esteemed orchestras, including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic, the Portland Symphony, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony, and the Las Vegas Philharmonic, among many others.

Waldrop’s association with The Phantom of the Opera spans over 15 years and includes major productions around the world. He recently served as Associate Musical Supervisor for the 2023 South Korean production, as well as the 2019 International Tour (which premiered in Manila). He was also Musical Supervisor for the 2018 Copenhagen production and held key roles in productions in Germany, Denmark, on the U.S. National Tour, and in Las Vegas.

His other Broadway credits include serving as the Music Director/Conductor for the acclaimed revival of Cats at the Neil Simon Theatre and Associate Conductor for the revival of Evita on Broadway, starring Ricky Martin, Elena Roger, and Michael Cerveris. He was also the Music Director for the 30-city national tour of Evita, culminating in performances with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. He has conducted or played on numerous other Broadway productions, including Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, On The Town, Fiddler on the Roof, and Some Like It Hot.

He has collaborated with major musical artists such as Michael Lynche and Leona Lewis, and worked closely with Broadway stars including Betty Buckley, Rachel York, Christiane Noll, and Klea Blackhurst. He has also led acclaimed chamber productions of Grey Gardens, South Pacific, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

As a composer, Waldrop’s original music has been featured at Birdland, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, and New World Stages. His solo concert Still, and Still Moving: The Music of William Waldrop premiered at New York City’s legendary Metropolitan Room. A dedicated vocal coach, he works with leading performers from Broadway and national tours, and is a frequent master class instructor for organizations such as Empower Voices Now, The Growing Studio, Broadway Workshop, Broadway in Motion, and Broadway Classroom.

Waldrop holds a Master of Music degree from The Peabody Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Mississippi.