T.J. Harper is a specialist in Choral Music Performance, Choral Pedagogy and Methodology, Conducting, and Vocal Performance. He is currently the Chair of Choral Studies at the University of Akron. Choirs under his direction have performed at Carnegie Hall in 2022, the 2017 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conference in Atlantic City, NJ, the 2014 NAfME National Conference in Nashville, TN, the 2013 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) New England Collegiate Choral Conference in Keene, NH, the 2012 ACDA Eastern Division Conference in Providence, RI, the 2011 NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Baltimore, MD, and the 2010 Rhode Island Music Educators Association (RIMEA) Spring In-Service Conference. International performances by invitation include Austria, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Italy, and Spain.
Dr. Harper maintains an active schedule in the US and abroad as a guest conductor, clinician, and jury member. He has received invitations as conductor, clinician and lecturer throughout the United States and internationally with engagements in Argentina, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, and Venezuela. He has been engaged as a lecturer, presenter, and guest speaker at the 2015 Yale University International Choral Music Symposium; the 2015 European Choir Games in Magdeburg, Germany; Harvard University, Hofstra University, the University of Southern California, and the New England ACDA Collegiate Choral Conference.
Dr. Harper’s interests have led to research of the Nazi influence on German choral music and the music of Hugo Distler. His dissertation is entitled, Hugo Distler and the Renewal Movement in Nazi Germany. His research has also led to projects funded by the Providence College Committee on Aid to Faculty Research (CAFR) exploring voice-science in the choral rehearsal; the music of Johannes Brahms at the Brahms Institute in Lübeck, Germany and the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria; the music of Maurice Duruflé at St. Peter’s Abbey in Solesmes, France; and the folk music traditions of the Korean Peninsula at Dankook University in Seoul, South Korea. His publications have appeared in the ACDA Choral Journal, the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM), the NAfME Online Choral Forum, the RIMEA Music Education Journal-RIMER, and he is also a contributing author to the recently published Student Engagement in Higher Education: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Approaches for Diverse Populations. (Routledge)
Dr. Harper recently held positions as Board Member for the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM), the past Chair of the ACDA Standing Committee on International Activities, and the Director of the ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program. He was the President of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association (RIMEA) and the President of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Dr. Harper received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California where he graduated with honours. He received the Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from California State University, Northridge and the Bachelor of Arts degree and Choral Conducting from California State University, Fresno. He taught in the California public school system for six years and was honoured for excellence in teaching in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. As a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, NAfME, ACDA, Chorus America, NCCO and IFCM, Dr. Harper is an advocate for the promotion of undergraduate and graduate music education and choral music in the public schools.
