Gavin Sutherland is an English conductor, composer, and pianist born in 1972 in Chester-le-Street. He studied at the University of Huddersfield, graduating with first-class honors and receiving the Kruczynski Prize. Sutherland began his career as a pianist and staff conductor for Northern Ballet Theatre from 1992 to 1998. He gained prominence with the release of the CD British Light Music Discoveries, leading to collaborations with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. In 2008, he was appointed Music Director of the English National Ballet, becoming Principal Conductor in 2010. He transitioned to the role of Principal Guest Conductor in 2022. Sutherland has conducted over a hundred recordings and orchestrated scores for ballets including Raymonda and Giselle. In 2020, he won the Critics' Circle National Dance Award. He was named a Freeman of the City of London in 2024 and received an Olivier Award nomination in 2025 for Ballet Shoes. Sutherland is also a composer, known for the musical Little Women.
