Caleb Harris, Piano
Caleb Harris enjoys an active career as a pianist, chamber musician, conductor, and vocal coach. Possessing an unusually broad and diverse repertoire, Harris is equally at home at the keyboard or on the podium. He has appeared throughout the USA, Austria, France, Italy, and Asia at many prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, and the National Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan.
In the 2008-2009 season, Harris performed with such notable musicians as violinist William Preucil, concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra, and noted tenor, Vale Rideout. The 2009-2010 season will include a solo recital at Oklahoma Baptist University, multiple performances with soprano, Tiffany Blake, a performance of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the University of Northern Colorado Orchestra, as well as multiple chamber music concerts. In addition, Harris will be the musical director and conductor for UNC Opera Theatre’s production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica.
As a vocal coach, musical director, or conductor, Harris has been involved with the preparation and performance of many operas. Recent productions include, Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Poulenc’s Diologues of the Carmelites, Stravinsky’s Renard, Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilege, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Mark Adamo’s Little Women, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Massenet’s Cendrillon, Busoni’s Turandot, and Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. Throughout his opera career, he has worked closely with many musical luminaries including Robert Spano, Stephan Asbury, Neil Varon, William Weinert, Robert Page, Joel Smirnoff, Phyllis Curtin, Dawn Upshaw, Martin Katz, Kenneth Griffiths, Alan Smith, and Robert McIver.
Harris has the unique distinction of being a home school graduate. He also holds the Bachelor of Music degree, summa cum laude, from Oklahoma Baptist University and the Master of Music degree, Doctor of Musical Arts degree, and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. Throughout his education, he has been awarded many honors including a Presser Foundation Scholarship. He has studied piano extensively with Billie Jo Forney, Ronald Lewis and Douglas Humpherys.
Harris is a member of the keyboard faculty at the University of Northern Colorado and is the cover conductor of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to teaching an exciting studio of national and international students, Harris recently co-founded the Colorado Piano Festival, which he co-directs with pianist, Lei Weng. When Harris is taking a break from music he may be found flying, traveling, or pursuing outdoor activities with his friends and family.