Donald Portnoy is universally recognized as one of America's dynamic and inspiring symphony orchestra conductors. He brings a unique awareness to music, an appreciation for the audience, and a refreshing sensitivity toward the musicians with whom he works. He has earned fame as a guest conductor with the major orchestras of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Buffalo, as well as other major regional orchestras throughout the United States, Argentina, Brazil, China, England, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, South Korea, Italy, Romania, Switzerland, and Spain.

In 1959, the American Arts Trio, an ensemble he founded, was appointed Artists in Residence at West Virginia University. In July 1986, Dr. Portnoy was recognized for meritorious service and appointed the "Distinguished West Virginian" award. Dr. Portnoy is a graduate of the Julliard School of Music. He received his M.A. from Catholic University and his D.M.A from Peabody Conservatory. For four years he was a member of the U.S. Marine Band, the orchestral part of the organization.

Dr. Portnoy has served as music director and conductor of the Pittsburgh Opera Theater and the Pittsburgh Civic Symphony. In March 2004, Dr. Portnoy received Columbia University's 2004 Ditson Conductor's Award for his commitment to the performance of works by American composers. In June 2004, he was awarded the Greater Augusta Art's Council's "Artist of the Year'' award. From 1991 until 2009, Dr. Portnoy was music director and conductor of the Augusta Symphony in Georgia. In 2006, he was appointed music and conductor of the Brevard Philharmonic in North Carolina. In 2016, Maestro Portnoy founded the Aileen Symphony Orchestra as its music director and conductor.

Dr. Portnoy held the Ira McKissick Koger Endowed Chair for the Fine Arts at the University of South Carolina, where be was Director of Orchestral Studies and conductor of the USC Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and professor of violin. He is also founder and director of the renowned Conductors Institute, who participants come from all parts of the United States and abroad to study orchestral conducting.

In May 2005, Maestro Portnoy was awarded the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor's Award for the Arts, South Carolina's highest award in the arts. In May 2016, he was awarded the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto, for extraordinary lifetime service and achievements of national and statewide significance.