Gupton, a 33-year-old native of Detroit, received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Michigan, then earned a diploma from Juilliard's drama division. He studied conducting with David Zinman and Murry Sidlin at the Aspen Music Festival and with Leonard Slatkin at the National Conducting Institute in Washington, D.C. He has led the Cleveland Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, and the Toledo Symphony.

Gupton lives in New York, where he has an active career as an actor. His acting experience includes television, film, and stage, including the leading role in the 2005 production of Carter's Way at the Kansas City Repertory Theater.

A press release states, "The combination of his musical gifts and his training as an actor make Damon Gupton an exceptionally effective spokesperson and advocate for symphonic music."

Gupton, who came to the attention of Kansas City Symphony music director Michael Stern at the Aspen Music Festival, said, "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Kansas City Symphony family. This is an exciting place to be and I look forward to growing and learning here."