The dynamic American conductor Emil de Cou has been associate conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra for the past four seasons, and an active participant in a wide range of National Symphony performances and events since his debut at Wolf Trap in 2000. He has led the orchestra on residency tours in six states, in subscription concerts at the Kennedy Center and on the lawn of the Capitol. In 2005, Mr. de Cou took up his newly-created position as NSO @ Wolf Trap festival conductor. Of his Tchaikovsky evening, the Washington Post declared "de Cou's rapport with the orchestra was at its usual high level, his attention to detail as impressive as always... The sound was, in turn, lush and intensely energetic."

Emil de Cou's 2007-08 season includes guest conducting engagements with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, with Renée Fleming, as requested by the soprano who will sing Strauss's Four Last Songs and selected arias; the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra; and the Boise Philharmonic. In addition, he continues his numerous duties as associate conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra. 

In the 2006-07 season, de Cou was guest conductor with the Symphony Silicon Valley, Portland (ME) Symphony, Reading Symphony, and Southwest Florida Symphony. Some recent highlights include his acclaimed all-Russian subscription program with the National Symphony Orchestra, conducting the NSO in the traditional Labor Day concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol, his Carnegie Hall debut as guest conductor for the New York Pops, and a gala tribute to Beverly Sills at Lincoln Center with the Orchestra of St. Luke's and a stellar roster of soloists. His innovative concerts at the Wolf Trap Pavilion have included screenings of The Wizard of Oz with the score performed live by the National Symphony Orchestra, and reprised at the Ravinia Festival with the music performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Emil de Cou has been guest conductor with major orchestras throughout North America including the symphony orchestras of Detroit, Montreal, Philadelphia, Houston, St. Louis, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Minnesota, Indianapolis, Columbus, and many others. He has conducted the Boston Pops, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Kennedy Center Orchestra, the orchestra of Chicago's Lyric Opera, and the New World Symphony, and was principal pops conductor of the San Francisco Symphony in 1995 and 1996.

Mr. de Cou was conductor of the San Francisco Ballet from 1993 until 2000, acting music director from 1998, and was conductor of the American Ballet Theatre from 1985 to 1993. He has conducted ballet orchestras all over the world, including the New York City Ballet, English Chamber Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Scottish National Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic, Polish Radio Orchestra, Royal Danish Opera Orchestra, Palermo Opera Orchestra, Mexico City Symphony and the national orchestras of Argentina, Holland and Romania. He has conducted the San Francisco Ballet on tour at the Kennedy Center, as well as in London and Belfast, and at the Palais Garnier in Paris.

Recording highlights include a performance of the ballet Othello (music by Elliot Goldenthal) with the San Francisco Ballet for Great Performances (PBS), the score for which was recorded by Mr. de Cou for Varese Sarabande. Also recorded by de Cou is Debussy Rediscovered for Arabesque, which includes the world premiere recording of de Cou's reconstruction of the original 1887 version of Printemps-Suite Symphonique, for wordless chorus and orchestra. Mr. de Cou conducted the National Symphony in the world premiere performance of the work at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. A champion of American music, Mr. de Cou has edited and performed several unpublished works by Charles T. Griffes including the world premiere recording of The Kairn of Koridwen, issued by Koch International.

Emil de Cou was born in Los Angeles. His early training in horn and piano led to studies at age 17 with Herbert Blomstedt, after which he entered the Music Academy of Vienna. There, along with his studies in conducting and composition, he served as principal horn of the Baden State Theatre and of the Mozart Opera of Salzburg on its European tour. Subsequently, de Cou studied with Daniel Lewis in the graduate conducting program at the University of Southern California. He was the subject of a documentary on National Public Radio and was chosen from 200 candidates to study in Leonard Bernstein's master class at the Hollywood Bowl.