Latvian conductor Atvars Lakstigala was raised in Riga, Latvia. He attended the Berlin University of the Arts, where he pursued conducting with Lutz Koehler, and the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, where he studied horn with Arvids Klisans and conducting with Imants Resnis. He has also worked with Vassily Sinaisky, Neeme Järvi, Paavo Järvi, and Heinrich Schiff. He has appeared as a horn soloist in concerto performances and in chamber groups, and also performed as the assistant principal horn player for the Latvian National Opera Orchestra. As the conductor of the Liepaja Symphony Orchestra since 2010, Lakstigala has conducted opera, ballet, and concerts, and appeared internationally with many ensembles, including the Berlin Symphony Orchestra and the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded for Odradek and Wergo.