Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia, David Handel has been described in the international press as "one of the most brilliant young conductors," "commanding and decisive." As Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia, Handel has been lauded for "...drawing a special and distinctive sound from the Orchestra....seldom has the National Symphony sounded this good." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was impressed by the way "Handel's decisive style brought cohesive, blended sounds, precise attacks, and bold dynamics from the orchestra...in a performance that was polished, expressive and full of carefully shaped phrases throughout...."

David Handel has developed an extraordinary reputation as one of the most respected and innovative conductors in Latin America. The syndicated South American magazine COSAS commented that " ...Handel has brought the National Symphony of Bolivia to levels of public awareness and excellence heretofore unknown. His energetic podium manner and repose in real life are fresh air in our midst." In fact, Handel's imaginitive programming and distinctive community approach have brought record numbers of Bolivians to National Symphony concerts. Since the beginning of his tenure, audience attendance has grown five-fold, half of the new audience composed of young concert-goers. Such immediate and positive public response is no mystery considering his critically acclaimed performances.

The South American journal Presencia praised Handel's Carmina Burana for "its energy, brilliance and balance and as one closest to classic European performances..." Handel's energy and critical acclaim has made him one of the busiest conductors in Latin America and has led to his recent appointment as Artistic Advisor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Guatemala. By virtue of his artistic achievements in Latin America, Maestro Handel was the first American conductor invited to conduct one of the official orchestras of Cuba in September of 2000. Following his critically acclaimed performances with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Matanzas in Havana, he was immediately reengaged for concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba for concert broadcasts to take place in early 2001.

First noticed by Kurt Masur, then Music Director of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, David Handel was invited to serve as his apprentice conductor in Leipzig. Since then, he has performed to international acclaim, including programs for international radio and television broadcast. In 1993, Handel was one of a few young conductors selected to conduct the New York Philharmonic in a closed session at Carnegie Hall.

As a guest conductor, David Handel has performed widely in the United States, Europe and in Latin America, and has become a frequent guest conductor with several of the most important orchestras in México (Orquesta Sinfónica de Coyoacán, Orquesta Sinfónica del IPN and Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco, Guadalajara) His long list of credits include the the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Filarmónica de Jalisco (Guadalajara), the Orquesta Sinfónica de Michoacán (Morelia, México), the Orquesta Sinfónica de Coyoacán (México, DF), the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Guatemala, the COFES International Festival Orchestra, the Szombathely Symphony Orchestra of Hungarian Radio and Television, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Matanzas (Cuba) and for the National Opera Association (USA). Maestro Handel has led numerous first performances and world premiers and in 1999 made his recording debut with the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia in works by contemporary
South American composers.

Twice a fellow of the prestigious Fulbright Program, David Handel is a laureate of the Chicago Artists International Program and has received numerous awards including two Rackham discretionary awards, the Marguerite Lapp Scholarship for Exceptional Musical Talent, two Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Illinois Arts Council awards, the Decoration of Illimani for outstanding community service in the arts and a fellowship from the Leipzig Gewandhaus. He has represented the United States in Latin America as a recipient of United States Information Agency awards and as a Cultural Ambassador through the State Department Cultural Specialist Program.

Among Mr. Handel's future activities include engagements with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Cuba, the Orquesta del Valle (Calí, Colombia), the Orquesta Sinfónica del IPN (México, DF), and return engagements with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Coyoacán (México, DF) and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Guatemala.

His engagements with American Voices have included orchestral performances with John Ferguson, Ira Spaulding and Charlae Olaker in Bolivia, Malta, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and El Salvador.