Meet the Directors

Dr. Nick Harker Orchestra Director at Idaho Arts Charter School and one of the co-founders and Music Director of the Canyon County Symphony, is an innovative and flexible conductor with a decade of experience in professional, community, and educational ensemble conducting. He has not only conducted in an orchestral setting, but also in the opera and ballet pits, as well as recording and film studios. He recently led the Sinfonia at the College of Idaho and the Keene State College Chamber Orchestra in New Hampshire. He has also held conducting positions with the Salt Lake Symphony, Utah Philharmonic, Utah Philharmonia, West Jordan Symphony, and the Evanston Civic Orchestra.

He has worked regularly as a clinician and guest conductor with public schools across Idaho, New Hampshire, and Utah, and is currently the IMEA District III High School Orchestra Chair. As a violinist he has performed with the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra, Salt Lake Symphony, Idaho Falls Symphony, West Jordan Symphony, the Utah Philharmonic, and more.

Growing up in a musical family, he developed a love of music from an early age. He obtained his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Utah where he studied primarily with Dr. Robert Baldwin, and his Masters in Music in Orchestral Conducting at Brigham Young University, studying primarily under Kory Katseanes and Dr. Don Peterson. As an undergraduate at Brigham Young University-Idaho, he studied violin under Dr. Dallin Hansen and earned an undergraduate degree in music education. Some of his 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.

Conductor and Composer, Dr. Daniel Baldwin, assistant director for the Canyon County Symphony, has led a multifaceted career. Conducting and composing for bands and orchestras from beginner to professional, community to university, symphony to big band, from for profit to nonprofit leadership, lecturer to artistic director, Dr. Baldwin has enjoyed success in each of the avenues in which he has pursued.

A frequent guest conductor, he has led bands and orchestras across the country premiering works by internationally renowned composers such as Philip Sparke, Scott McAllister, Brian Balmages, and Eric Ewazen at venues ranging from high school honors orchestras to International conventions.

He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Music in Education, Master of Music in Composition and Wind Band Conducting, DMA in Composition and Orchestral Conducting, and is currently completing a second masters degree program in Music Leadership from the prestigious Eastman School of Music. His primary composition teachers include Eric Richards and Craig Weston as well as additional studies with Max Ridgway, Eric Ewazen, and William Bolcom. His primary conducting teachers include Michael Knedler, Frank Tracz, and Tyler Goodrich White as well as additional studies with Keith Lockhart.