Donald George Johanos, born on February 10, 1928, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was an American conductor. He studied in the Eastman School of Music, receiving an undergraduate degree in violin, a master's degree in music theory, and a performer's certificate in conducting. After graduating from Eastman, Johanos played violin for five years in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, where he was coached in conducting from the music director, Erich Leinsdorf. In 1962, Johanos became the music director and principal conductor with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra until 1970. Johanos then moved to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as associate conductor and director of its chamber orchestra. From 1979 to 1995, Johanos served as musical director and conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, where he was recognized for his "adventuresome programming of contemporary music" by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in 1991. Johanos passed away on May 29, 2007, in Naples, Florida.
