Paul K. Kreider, dean of the College of Creative Arts at West Virginia University and director of the Creative Arts Center, has been named to the board of directors of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO).

The appointment was effective Dec. 19, 2011.

“The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is pleased that Paul Kreider, dean of the College of Creative Arts, has joined our Board of Directors,” said David S. Gross, orchestra president.

“His vast background in the arts, along with his strategic thinking, makes him a very valuable resource for our organization.

“Paul has already been a catalyst for developing a partnership between WVU and the WVSO. I am confident the addition of Dean Kreider to our board will enable both institutions to better serve our community and state.”

Kreider joined WVU as dean of the College of Creative Arts in July 2011. He previously served as dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Western Illinois University; chair of the Department of Music at Northern Kentucky University; and associate dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and received his master’s degree in music and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Arizona. He also studied music and theater at Mankato State University.

He co-founded the Southern Nevada Opera Association, won a Teacher of the Year award at UNLV and is a Distinguished Alumnus from the University of Arizona School of Music. He served as a board member of the Illinois Arts Alliance and the International Council of Fine Arts Deans. He has also been a member of the music and Partner’s in Excellence panels for the Illinois Arts Council.

Kreider’s many performing credits include numerous roles with the Lyric Opera of Chicago for six seasons, and as principal baritone with the Landestheater Salzburg for three years. In addition, he has also appeared throughout the world with world-renowned singers, conductors, and stage directors at the Vienna State Opera, Maggio Musicale in Florence, Atlanta Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the national operas of Slovenia, Rome, Santa Fe and Tokyo, Japan.

His symphonic credits include the Great Woods Festival, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Austria’s Mozarteum Orchestra, Illinois Symphony, Kentucky Symphony and the Tucson Symphony.

With the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the New Mexico Symphony, he sang performances of Off’s “Carmina Burana.” Most recently he appeared with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra in Edward Collins’ “Daughter of the South.”

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting more than 50 concerts annually to audiences throughout the Mountain State.

Programs include Capitol Conference Center Symphonic, ZMM Pops and City National Bank Family Discovery Series, performances by the Montclaire String Quartet, collaborations with the Charleston Ballet and other West Virginia Arts Organizations, and a nationally award-winning education program.

The Symphony’s home is the world-class Maier Foundation Performance Hall at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston, W.Va.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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