ERIC DALE KNAPP

Founder, Music & Artistic Director 

ORCHESTRANEXUS

Eric Dale Knapp is an accomplished and dynamic conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of music.  His commitment and energy empower the musicians he leads, resulting in performances that deeply touch the souls of his audiences. Maestro Knapp's mastery of the repertoire is extensive, encompassing traditional works as well as visionary performances of multimedia works of the new millennium. He is equally adept at conducting classical and popular music, and his ability to effectively communicate through both gesture and speech places him at the forefront of his generation of conductors.  

He has served as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Connecticut Choral Society for 23 seasons, earning critical acclaim both in the United States and abroad.

Throughout his career, EDK has been involved in music education, church music, collegiate teaching, and collaborating with orchestras and choirs in renowned concert halls worldwide. His concert appearances have included prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Sydney Opera House and Town Hall in Australia, Shanghai's Oriental Arts Center, the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, Disney Hall and The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, and many more. He has also conducted performances at iconic locations such as Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, the Gedächtniskirche in Berlin, the Zlín Congress Center in the Czech Republic, and the Holy Trinity Church in Warsaw. 

Notable career highlights for Maestro Knapp include serving as the Artistic Director and Conductor for "PERFORM IN HARMONY WITH OLYMPIC SPIRIT" in celebration of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, China. He also created and led the INTERNATIONAL HAYDN FESTIVAL 2009 at the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, and headlined at FIRE WITHIN, a concert at Cadogan Hall in London, UK, in association with the 2012 Olympics. Recently, he led Verdi's Requiem with Orchestra 1813 at the Lake Como Opera House, Teatro Sociale di Como. 

In addition to his work with the Connecticut Choral Society, Eric Dale Knapp is the Artistic Director and Founder of ORCHESTRANEXUS. He has led ORCHESTRANEXUS and NEXUS CHORAL ARTISTS in concerts that have garnered international attention, resulting in partnerships with renowned institutions and venues such as Carnegie Hall, Disney Hall, Lincoln Center, and many more. 

Eric Dale Knapp's musical journey includes studies at the Juilliard School, and he holds BM, BME, BMB, and MM degrees from Drake University. He has studied under esteemed conducting teachers including Aimee Beckman-Collier, John Alexander, Jorge Mester, Helmuth Rilling, and Tsung Yeh. Additionally, he had the privilege of learning from Robert Shaw and coaching with Michael Tilson Thomas. Mr. Knapp also studied with Swiss conductor and pedagogue Johannes Scheafli, who leads the Orchestral Conducting Program at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (Zurich School of the Arts). Throughout his career, Eric Dale Knapp has prepared choirs and orchestras for John Rutter and served as conductor-in-residence, leading the New England Symphonic Ensemble in subscription concerts at Carnegie Hall. 

In recognition of his achievements in the performing arts, Mr. Knapp was named a distinguished alumnus of his alma mater in 2016 and subsequently received the prestigious Hall of Fame Award. 

He is represented by Wade Artist Management and is actively involved in the development of Nexus Arts & Culture, the home of ORCHESTRANEXUS.