James Harder

After a dual career as a collaborative pianist and licensed clinical social worker in New York City, James Harder relocated to Albuquerque in 2021. He joined the UNM Department of Music Faculty as a part-time vocal coach and collaborative pianist in fall 2022.

Throughout his career, he partnered with both Metropolitan and New York City Opera artists and accompanied instrumentalists and singers in multi-state tours. As a collaborative pianist, he performed at Carnegie Recital Hall, Greenwich House Music School, Merkin Concert Hall, and Westminster Choir College.

Mr. Harder was Vocal Coach for the inaugural season of the Pittsburgh Opera Young Artist Program, a position he also held at Glimmerglass Opera. He served as Musical Assistant to Christopher Keene, performing in a production of Frank Martin’s Le vin herbe at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City.

He accompanied master classes for Elly Ameling, Arlene Auger, Tito Capobianco, Nico Castel, Anton Coppolla, Jörg Demus, Joan Dornemann, Jean Kraft, Vincent La Selva, Sherrill Milnes, Edoardo Müller, Judith Raskin, Nathaniel Rosen, Samuel Sanders, and Joan Sutherland. He was a sought-after accompanist in the voice studios of Clarice Carson, Winifred Cecil, Maria Farnsworth, Daniel Ferro, Margaret Hoswell, Emmy Joseph, Anna Moffo, and Ellen Repp.

An alumnus of California State University Fresno, he was a pupil of Ena Bronstein-Barton and Philip Lorenz; he furthered his piano study with Germán Diez in New York City. He had voice instruction from Dorothy Renzi and Emmy Joseph, and was mentored in coaching and diction by Edward N. Beck, Nico Castel, Joan Dornemann and James Shomate. Mr. Harder maintains a private vocal coaching and piano studio, and regularly performs as a cabaret duo throughout the country with his husband, Tim Cahill.