CONTACT & Director Bio

A dedicated educator, as evidenced by being recently named Music Faculty Member of the Year at Keene State College, Dr. Harker has strives to provide the best musical experience possible for his students. He has held Conductor and Assistant Conductor positions with numerous professional, community, and student orchestras throughout Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and New Hampshire, including the Keene State College Orchestra, Salt Lake Symphony, Evanston Civic Orchestra, West Jordan Symphony, Utah Philharmonia, and University of Utah Campus Symphony. As a conducting fellow at Brigham Young University, he conducted the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra, BYU String Orchestra, BYU University Orchestra, and the 2015 production of Humperdinck’s famous family friendly opera Hänsel und Gretel. Additionally, he collaborated, as conductor, with the composers and performers of the BYU Studio Orchestra. Together, they have been responsible for the scores of BYU film and creative art student projects, including films, documentaries, and video games. He regularly guest conducts with regional orchestras and clinics at local schools.

Growing up in a musical family, he developed a love of music from an early age. Nick started playing the piano at the age of five and transitioned to the violin a few years later. As an instrumentalist, he has performed with the Salt Lake Symphony, West Jordan Symphony, Utah Philharmonic, Utah Philharmonia, Idaho Falls Symphony, and others. As the String Area Coordinator for Keene State College, he had numerous opportunities to teach applied violin lessons and perform regularly.

Nick received his Bachelors in Music Education from Brigham Young University – Idaho where he studied violin under Dr. Dallin Hansen. He obtained his Masters in Music with an emphasis in Orchestral Conducting at Brigham Young University, studying primarily under Kory Katseanes. He received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Utah where he studied primarily with Dr. Robert Baldwin. Other mentors include Jeffery Meyer, John Nardolillo, Thomas Heuser, Roger Kalia, Mark Gibson, and Kenneth Kiesler.

He is married to his wonderful wife and has two young boys. He also enjoys composing, playing basketball, and skiing.