Craig Kier

American Conductor Craig Kier has received high praise for his “Tesla-like intensity” and “impeccable orchestral support” while leading performances throughout the United States and on international stages. Since becoming the Director of the Maryland Opera Studio (MOS) at the University of Maryland, Kier has expanded the footprint of the program’s activities, connecting the MOS curriculum and programming to areas across campus and beyond. In addition to his work as a conductor, his research includes the exploration of combining virtual reality with diverse musical genres to increase access to music and how such technologies can be utilized in medicine. His research has been published in the journal Pain and presented at virtual reality conferences throughout the United States.

In 2023, Kier joined the ARHU Dean’s office as Director of the Presidential initiative, Arts for All. In 2020, he was named Artistic and Music Director of the Annapolis Opera, where he continues to lead performances, programming, and community engagement activities. Kier’s conducting highlights include performances with Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program, Wolf Trap Opera, Houston Ballet, the Brevard Music Center, Opera Saratoga the Glimmerglass Festival, Central City Opera, Opera Birmingham, Opera Santa Barbara, and the Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman.

In the summer of 2013 he served as Assistant Conductor on The Santa Fe Opera’s production of La donna del lago starring Joyce DiDonato and Lawrence Brownlee. Maestro Kier began his career as part of Seattle Opera’s music staff, serving in a variety of roles including Assistant Conductor, Coach/Accompanist, and Chorus Master. He has since served on the music staffs of The Santa Fe Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Atlanta Opera, Opera Colorado and Des Moines Metro Opera.