Eric Dale Knapp, Conductor
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RIC 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, Mr. 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, where he also served as Artistic Director of Chamber Music at Salisbury House. As Conductor-in-Residence at MidAmerica Productions he conducted 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 served as cover conductor for John Rutter at Carnegie Hall and prepared 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. While at MidAmerica he annually adjudicated auditions of soloists and ensembles for the MidAmerica Concert Series.

Mr. Knapp is Artistic Director and Conductor of the New Jersey Choral Society & Orchestra which he has led to critical acclaim both in the U.S. and abroad. He is also Artistic Director and Conductor of the Connecticut Choral Society & Orchestra Society & Orchestra and Music Director for the Mark Thallander Foundation in Los Angeles, CA. He has also appeared as Artistic Director and Conductor of, Voices in the House, an International Music Festival featuring organist, Frederick Swann with the Festival Chorus and Orchestra under Mr. Knapp's conduction at the Sydney Opera House, July 2006. Upcoming engagements include appearances with the Voices in the House Festival Orchestra in Sydney, Australia 2007, The New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall and Orchestra de Camerata at the Salisbury House. On Friday November 23 Mr. Knapp will the conduct the first annual AMERICAN GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL at Carnegie Hall with the AMERICAN FESTIVAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA with guest artists Babbi Mason, Triumphant Quartet and The Imperials. Mr. Knapp will return to Australia in 2008 as the Artistic Director of the World Voices International Choral Festival. In 2008 Mr. Knapp will lead the 2008 Olympic Festival Orchestra and Chorus in a concert of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. This concert will be presented in celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Recent concerts include a Triumphal European Concert Tour with The New Jersey Choral Society including an appearance at Dvorák Hall with the Prague Student Orchestra in Prague, the Hastings Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, an ecumenical festival at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles with 1200 singers participating and over 3500 people attending, PBS Television special From Galaway to Broadway as well as the New England Symphonic Ensemble and Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall.

Mr. Knapp served Faith Lutheran Church as Director of Music and Sr. Organist from 1987 to 2000. During Mr. Knapp's tenure, the Faith Music Ministry grew from two choirs to 15 and included more than 200 volunteer and semi-professional musicians, supported behind-the-scenes by a small army of volunteers. Three very successful European concert tours were launched and provided a significant outreach for the programs at Faith. The Music Ministry at Faith now serves as a self-sustaining support to the mission of this congregation. The program has inspired significant growth in the church's devotion to music and the fine arts within worship. Mr. Knapp's discography includes Bach's Clavier Übung, Part III with organist Carl Staplin and the Chancel Choir from Faith Lutheran Church for the Calcante label. On Sunday, March 31, 2006 Mr. Knapp returned to Faith to conduct the 10th Anniversary Concert of the Soli Deo Musica Fine Arts Series that he founded. The concert was a true celebration of ministry and strong philosophical understanding of the significant place which music ministry holds within the church.

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.

Mr. Knapp is represented by Wade Artist Management, NY, NY and Vivici Presents, Nashville, TN.