Grambling State University - Kodara Harper is Asst. Professor of Music Education and Director of the Grambling State University Choir

An acclaimed and versatile musician, Cordara Harper has taken over as conductor of the Grambling State University Choir and has planned events to kick off his new role in a celebratory manner for the new school year.

Harper is an Assistant Professor of Music Education, Vocal Coordinator and Choir Director at GSU, where he conducts college choirs and vocal ensembles and teaches music and music education courses.

As part of the GSU Choir’s 75th anniversary celebrations, one of the group’s first major presentations under Harper’s leadership will begin at 5:30 p.m. Celebrate the 75th anniversary by singing the song of 17 at GSU’s Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

I am currently a PhD candidate pursuing a PhD. Harper’s research interests include cultural leadership practices, choral conducting, music teacher evaluation, speech pedagogy, art entrepreneurship, music psychology, and equity in music education.

Harper will be the voice left behind by the resignation of Natashaw Davis, who ran GSU from 2012 until this summer.

A native of Cobh, North Carolina, Harper has served as an instructor, teaching assistant, research assistant, and choral graduate assistant at the University of Memphis. His conducting experience includes acting as one of the featured conductors for his Fall 2021 University Singers concert at the University of Memphis, and ensemble performances at his Craven High School in West, North Carolina. Includes command.

While at the University of Memphis, Harper performed as a baritone with the University Singers, Voice of Inspiration, Tenor and Bass Choir. He earned a Master of Music and a Master of Arts in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Science in Science from Amberton College, and a Bachelor of Music (Hons) from Central North Carolina University. He holds a BS in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. Harper is a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, where he served as secretary and treasurer of the Theta Rho chapter at the University of Memphis.

Harper is presenting at the American Musicological South-East Chapter Fall 2020 meeting, the Society for American Music 2021 Conference, the February 2021 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic, and the February 2021 CMS-Southern Chapter Regional Conference.

Additionally, he was the first facilitator and panel guest of the 2021 Sankofa Songs Summer Institute.

Harper was featured in the National Association for Music Education’s Teaching Music publication in January 2022 and co-presented at the 35th International Society for Music Education World Conference in July 2022.

Harper holds Public School Teaching Certificates in School Administration, K-12 Music Education, Psychology, and Business in North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, and is a K-8 General Music Teacher at the Global Scholars Academy. I am an experienced educator. She was a high school choir director at Craven High School and Cleveland High School in West North Carolina.

The Harper’s Choir has an excellent reputation and while teaching at Cleveland High School he was rated as a Distinguished Teacher in every category.

In addition, we received the JCPS/Wells Fargo Foundation Certified Employee Award in April 2021. Also at Cleveland High School, she served as Co-Faculty Advisor to the Tri-M Music Honor Society and her Sophomore Student Council. He has been awarded grants for choral music programs and has frequently partnered with teachers, his members of the community and stakeholders. Harper is the founder of Cordara Harper Music Solutions, LLC, has coached and taught private and group voice and piano lessons.

Having completed Kodaly Level 2 Training at the Indiana University Summer Kodaly Institute and Orff Training Level 1 at the University of Memphis Orff Summer Institute, his professional members include the National Association for Music Education, the American Association of Choral Directors, the Collegiate Music Society, and the United States. Includes Music Society. -Southeast, American Music Association, Arts Entrepreneurship Education Association, America His Kodary Educator Organization, International Music Education Association, National Association of Black Musicians, Phi Moor Alpha Symphonia.

In addition to his academic background, Harper is a performer, most recently music director of the Burdett United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, and has established himself as an accomplished clinician in choral, gospel and African Diaspora music.

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