Recognized by critics, orchestras, and audiences alike as “a brilliant young conductor” (Free Times) with “a poet’s sensitivity and a craftsman’s efficiency” (Spokeman-Review), Morihiko Nakahara has served as music director of the South Carolina Philharmonic since 2008.
Their first two seasons together generated dynamic artistic growth, rising ticket sales and increasing recognition and excitement for the organization both locally and nationally. A recent contract renewal will keep him with the SC Phil at least through the 2014/2015 season. The 2010/2011 season also marks Nakahara’s eighth season with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, first as its associate conductor and now as 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 Orchestras' prestigious Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview in March 2005, hosted by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he has developed a close working relationship with the JSO, conducting the orchestra annually and serving as its associate conductor during the 2007/2008 season. As a guest conductor, Nakahara has led the symphonies of Toledo, Lansing, Peoria, Lubbock, Southwest Michigan, Billings, and Missoula, as well as the Chicago Pro Musica and the Lexington Philharmonic. During the current season, he will appear with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra and the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra.
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’s current season includes a world premiere of Double Piano Concerto by John Fitz Rogers (SC Phil commission funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts) and a regional premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’s new work in addition to a wide range of standard symphonic repertoire. In the symphonic pops realm, Nakahara has recently collaborated with such artists as Brandi Carlile, Chris Botti, and Bela Fleck & The Flecktones.
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. Nakahara 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 served previously as music director of the Holland Symphony Orchestra in Michigan and taught at Eastern Washington University and Andrews University. He resides in Columbia, S.C.
Updated July 2010
For more information, please visit morihikonakahara.com.
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