John Neal Axelrod (born March 28, 1966, in Houston, Texas) is an American conductor. Axelrod is Principal Conductor of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano, "Giuseppe Verdi, also known as "LaVerdi."/ Between 2009 and 2013, Axelrod was Music Director of l'Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, based in Nantes and Angers, France; and from 2009 to 2011, Axelrod served as Music Director of "Hollywood In Vienna" Gala Concerts with the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vienna. He has also served as Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to 2009, and from 2001 to 2009 as Principal Guest Conductor of Sinfonietta Cracovia.