Connor Doran is a musician and educator specializing in the fields of conducting and vocal pedagogy. He is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He was awarded the Herman Genhart Choral Conducting Scholarship as well as the Robert Fountain Choral Scholarship. Coupled with his studies, he serves as the Choir Director and Organist at Saint Thomas More Roman Catholic Parish. There, he conducts and manages the adult choir, the newly formed children’s choir, and the choral scholars program.
In January of 2018, Connor made his international conducting debut with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Elora Festival Singers conducting works of Rolfe, Watson-Henderson, and Pärt. In June of the same year he served as Production Number Music Director of the National High School Musical Theater Awards (popularly known as the Jimmy Awards). He prepared the ensemble in a tribute to Disney Theatrical Productions, which was held at The Minskoff Theater on Broadway, home of The Lion King. He has also served as Assistant Music Director for the Pittsburgh CLO’s Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. |
During his studies at Eastman he has conducted the Repertory Singers in works by Bach, Mozart, Poulenc, Van, Gibbs, Boulanger, and Howells. He has also conducted in the Bach Cantata Series, leading BWV 62 Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland and BWV 29 Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir. In 2018 he coordinated and conducted the music for the Inauguration of the Cheryl Speranza Leadership Institute at Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women. In 2017, he conducted the Fox Chapel Area High School Madrigal Singers in their Pennsylvania Music Educators Association State Conference performance while student teaching at the school.
As a pianist, he has collaborated with choirs, orchestras, and opera and musical theater productions. In 2016, he was awarded the J. Cornetti Tucci Piano Performance award. In 2015, he served as the collaborative pianist in the Duquesne University opera department’s Lyrica Roma program held in Italy and Spain. In doing so, he played for lessons, master classes with performers such as Mildred Miller, Nicoletta Conti, and Fiorenza Cosotto, and performed two concerts in Rome and Florence. He holds awards from the United States Marine (Semper Fidelis Award), Pittsburgh Steinway Gallery, and Pittsburgh Piano Teachers Association.
Connor holds a degree in Music Education from Duquesne University. His conducting mentors include William Weinert, Caron Daley, and Robert Page.
As a pianist, he has collaborated with choirs, orchestras, and opera and musical theater productions. In 2016, he was awarded the J. Cornetti Tucci Piano Performance award. In 2015, he served as the collaborative pianist in the Duquesne University opera department’s Lyrica Roma program held in Italy and Spain. In doing so, he played for lessons, master classes with performers such as Mildred Miller, Nicoletta Conti, and Fiorenza Cosotto, and performed two concerts in Rome and Florence. He holds awards from the United States Marine (Semper Fidelis Award), Pittsburgh Steinway Gallery, and Pittsburgh Piano Teachers Association.
Connor holds a degree in Music Education from Duquesne University. His conducting mentors include William Weinert, Caron Daley, and Robert Page.