Stefan Sanderling was born in the former East Berlin, Germany. In his youth, Sanderling played the piano and clarinet. His early university experience was in Halle, Germany. At the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, Sanderling studied with the conductors Leonard Slatkin, Yuri Temirkanov, Edo de Waart and John Nelson.
His first professional position was in Potsdam, Germany. In addition, he has been the Music Director of the Staatstheater and the Philharmonic Orchestra Mainz. In 1996, he became chief conductor of the Orchestre de Bretagne and served in this capacity until the end of the 2003-2004 season.
In the US, Sanderling was appointed the Music Director of the Florida Orchestra in May 2002[3], and he officially assumed this position in the 2003-2004 season. In June 2006, Sanderling extended his contract with the Florida Orchestra through the 2010-2011 season[4]. In the US, Sanderling has also held the posts of principal guest conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra since 2003, and principal conductor of that ensemble since 2004. Sanderling became music director of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra at the start of the 2008 summer season.
