Eric Dale Knapp is a dynamic conductor whose commitment and energy empower the musicians he leads to give performances that stir the souls of his audiences. Maestro Knapp's mastery of the repertoire spans the full spectrum, from fresh yet authentic interpretations of traditional works to visionary performances of multimedia works of the new millennium. A versatile musical leader, equally adept with Classics and Pops, Knapp's finely honed ability to communicate through both gesture and speech place him at the forefront of the rising conductors of his generation. Mr. Knapp is the founder and Music Director of Orchestra de Camerata at the Salisbury House and also serves as Artistic Director of Chamber Music at Salisbury House. As Conductor-in-Residence at MidAmerica Productions he conducts the New England Symphonic Ensemble and Festival Chorus annually at Carnegie Hall. His May 2000 Carnegie Hall debut was marked with critical acclaim. Mr. Knapp also serves as cover conductor for John Rutter at Carnegie Hall and prepares choirs to work under Mr. Rutter's baton. At MidAmerica Productions Mr. Knapp has assisted Lukas Foss with the National Youth Orchestra in performance at Carnegie Hall. Annually, he adjudicates auditions of soloists and ensembles for the MidAmerica Concert Series. Mr. Knapp was recently appointed Associate Conductor of the Connecticut Choral Society & Orchestra and Music Director for the Mark Thallander Foundation in Los Angeles, as well as Music Director of the New Jersey Choral Society. He has also been named Music Director and Conductor of Voices in the House, an International Music Festival featuring Organist Frederick Swann. The Festival Chorus and Orchestra will perform under Mr. Knapp's conduction at the Sydney Opera House in July 2006. Upcoming engagements include a guest appearance with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in Sydney, Australia, The New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, and Orchestra de Camerata at the Salisbury House. In 2008 Mr. Knapp will lead the China Philharmonic and Festival Chorus of 2008 singers from around the world in a concert of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. This concert will be presented in celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympics with sponsorship from the Chinese government and the International Olympic Committee. Recent concerts include a triumphant European Concert Tour with The New Jersey Choral Society including an appearance at Dvorák Hall in Prague with the Prague Student Orchestra, as well as the Hastings Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall. In 1995 he was the first American conductor, at the request of the Austrian Minister of Culture, to conduct the closing concert at the International Advent Sing in Vienna, Austria. In the same season Mr. Knapp was also the first American to appear at the International Bach Festival in Warsaw, Poland as organ recitalist. He conducted the Bulgarian premiere of Copland's Appalachian Spring Suite, with the Vratsa Philharmonie in 1997 to critical acclaim. 1998 was marked by an international tour to Northern Europe and Denmark featuring Haugen's musical theatre piece Tales of Wonder,, with appearances including Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. Mr. Knapp has also collaborated with the Kromeriz Chamber Orchestra, Martinu Bolshava Philharmonie and the Basel Academic Orchestra. The 1999-2000 season included appearances at the Des Moines Playhouse as Music Director and Conductor of Children of Eden, and State Fair, in record-breaking performances for ticket sales and artistic achievement. Mr. Knapp also served on the conducting faculty at Drake University from 1999 to 2000. As a proponent of new music, Mr. Knapp conducted the world premiere of Ben Alaway's Martin Luther - a dramatic oratorio, with the St. John's Festival Orchestra & Chorus. During his tenure as Music Director and Conductor of the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Greater Des Moines, he conducted the Midwest premiere of Arvo Pärt's Litany , in collaboration with Orchestra de Camerata. At Drake University Mr. Knapp prepared, conducted and recorded new music of Joel Phillips for Boosey and Hawkes with the Drake Chorale. As assistant conductor for the Dureska Foundation, Mr. Knapp appeared in the world premiere of a new opera, The Petticoat, hosted by Washington D.C.'s Warner Theatre. Mr. Knapp has led the premiere performances of numerous commissions at the Salisbury House. Honors include the Drake Award for career development and the subsequent appointment as a Drake Fellow for graduate study in conducting. He is a graduate of Drake University and has studied at The Juilliard School. Mr. Knapp has studied with such luminaries as Jorge Mester, John Alexander, Helmuth Rilling, Robert Shaw, Aimee Beckmann-Collier, Vincent LaSelva, Kirk Trevor, Tsung Yeh, Gary Fagan, and Johannes Schlaefli. Click here to close this window