Music Director
Morihiko Nakahara
Read Maestro Nakahara's blog at the Conductor's Corner from b106.7 FM, Columbia's hometown radio station!
Recognized by critics, orchestras, and audiences alike as “a splendid conductor” possessing “a poet’s sensitivity and a craftsman’s efficiency,” Morihiko Nakahara begins his tenure as Music Director of the South Carolina Philharmonic in Fall 2008. Nakahara also enters his sixth highly successful season with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra (Wash.), first as associate conductor and now in a redefined role of resident conductor.
Increasingly regarded as a leading young conductor equally at home in a wide range of repertoire and concert formats, Nakahara was featured in the League of American Orchestra’s prestigious Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview in March 2005. During the 2006/2007 season, the Bruno Walter Foundation honored Nakahara and the Spokane Symphony Orchestra with the title of Bruno Walter Associate Conductor Chair and Career Development Grant. Recently named as a music director finalist with the Lexington Philharmonic (Ky.), he will guest conduct the orchestra during the 2008/2009 season.
Known for his charismatic presence on and off the podium, innovative and audience-friendly programming skills and thoughtful interpretations of both standard and contemporary repertoire, Nakahara recently completed a successful six year tenure as music director and conductor of the Holland Symphony Orchestra in Michigan. The Grand Rapids Press declared, “what is notable is how musically and expressively the orchestra performs. Credit for that goes to its music director … International success for Nakahara would surprise nobody who has seen him work.”
Acclaimed as a versatile artist and a passionate believer in music education for all ages, Nakahara has designed and conducted numerous educational and community engagement concerts. He is also a popular guest conductor and clinician with youth orchestras, collegiate ensembles and high school honor orchestras/bands, including the Boston University Tanglewood Institute’s Young Artist Orchestra. As a personable ambassador for classical music, Nakahara makes frequent appearances on local media outlets as well as at local businesses and service organizations.
A native of Kagoshima, Japan, Nakahara holds degrees from Andrews University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He studied conducting with Rodney Winther, Timothy Muffitt, Mark Gibson, Lawrence Leighton Smith, Larry Rachleff and Alan Mitchell, among others.
For more information, please visit http://www.morihikonakahara.com.
Photos by Katie Kirkland/SCP.