Craig Kier

Appointed Fall 2014

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.  

He has also established an annual commissioning prize as part of the Maryland Opera Studio New Work Reading Series, engaging historically underrepresented composers and librettists to cultivate their creative voices, allowing emerging artists an opportunity to work directly with a creative team on a work written specifically for them, and audiences an opportunity to be exposed to new work and observe the creative process. Along with his dedication to the development of New Work, Kier was a key member of the planning committee for the UMD campus wide 2018/2019 Year of Immigration which included serving as Artistic Director for the festival celebrating the works of Kurt Weill. In collaboration with The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music, this year-long festival created programming and curriculum that included nearly every area of the UMD School of Music.  

In 2023, Kier joined the ARHU Dean’s office as Director of the Presidential initiative, Arts for All, and currently serves as Advisor for the Maryland Opera Studio. In 2020, he was named Artistic and Music Director of the Annapolis Opera, where he continues to lead performances, programming, and community engagement activities.

Recent conducting highlights for Kier include productions with San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program, Wolf Trap Opera, Arizona Opera, Houston Ballet, the Brevard Music Center’s Janiec Opera Company, Anchorage Opera, Indianapolis Opera, and Opera Saratoga. From 2010-2013, he was Associate Conductor at Houston Grand Opera. During his time with the company he led dozens of performances including Madama Butterfly, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Die Fledermaus, Trial by Jury and the world premiere of Huang Ruo’s Bound. Additional guest engagements for Kier include appearances with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Ballet, the Glimmerglass Festival, Central City Opera, Opera Birmingham, Opera Santa Barbara, and the Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman.

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 also served on the music staffs of The Santa Fe Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Atlanta Opera, Opera Colorado and Des Moines Metro Opera.