Artistic Director & Conductor

Eric Dale Knapp
Eric Dale Knapp is a dynamic conductor whose commitment and energy empower the musicians he leads to give performances that stir the souls of his audiences. Maestro Knapp’s mastery of the repertoire spans the full spectrum, from fresh yet authentic interpretations of traditional works to visionary performances of multimedia works of the new millennium. A versatile musical leader, equally adept with classics and pops, Knapp’s finely honed ability to communicate through both gesture and speech place him at the forefront of the rising conductors of his generation.

Mr. Knapp has enjoyed a career in music education, church music and collegiate teaching as well as with orchestras and choirs throughout world. Concert appearances have included Carnegie Hall (New York), the Sydney Opera House & Town Hall(Australia), Shanghai’s Oriental Arts Center, The Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing), Disney Hall & The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles), Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen), Gedächtniskirche (Berlin), Zlín Congress Center (Czech Republic), Music Hall (Innsbruck), Holy Trinity Church (Warsaw), Salzburger Dom (Austria), San Lorenzo (Florence), Dvorák Hall (Prague), Vienna’s famed Musikverein, Cadogan Hall and Southwark Cathedral (London), Lake Como Opera House (Italy) and the iconic L’Eglise de la Madaleine (Paris).

Knapp is Artistic Director and Conductor of the Connecticut Choral Society, which he has led to critical acclaim both in the United States and abroad. Artistic Director and Founder of ORCHESTRANEXUS; Knapp has led ORCHESRANEXUS and NEXUSCHORALARTISTS in concerts that have garnished international attention.     As a result, partnerships with Carnegie Hall, Disney Hall, Lincoln Center, Park Avenue Armory, Sasha/VaynerMedia, ASM Global, AEG, Delta, Frosch Entertainment, Madison Garden Entertainment, Cadogan Hall, Edinburgh’s Dunard Centre, Elbphilharmonie, Philharmonie de Paris, Sydney Opera House, and Coventry Cathedral are under development. NEXUS ARTS & CLUTURE is the signature home of ORCHESRANEXUS which is poised for a post COVID-19 global launch.

Mr. Knapp studied at the Julliard School and holds BM, BME, BMB and MM degrees from Drake University.  Conducting teachers include Aimee Beckman-Collier, John Alexander, Jorge Mester, Helmuth Rilling and Tsung Yeh. In addition, he was privileged to coach with Robert Shaw and Michael Tilson Thomas. Mr. Knapp studied with the Swiss conductor and pedagogue Johannes Scheafli who leads the Orchestral Conducting Program at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (Zurich School of the Arts).   For eight years, he prepared choirs and orchestras for John Rutter at Carnegie Hall. In addition, Knapp is Principal Conductor of the New American Festival Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

In 2016 Knapp was named a distinguished alumni of his alma mater for achievements in the performing arts.  As a result he was nominated and received the prestigious Hall of Fame Award.

Mr. Knapp is represented by Wade Artist Management.