ROBERT BERNHARDT

Artist in Residence

Robert Bernhardt joined Lee's School of Music in the fall of 2011 as an artist-in-residence and conductor of the Lee Symphony Orchestra. Bernhardt also serves as Music Director Emeritus of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera (CSO) and Principal Pops Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. He was formerly the Music Director and Conductor for 19 seasons with the CSO and is the first to hold the title Emeritus.

Bernhardt has directed and conducted numerous symphonies, operas, musicals and ballets all over the country. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1978 and has recorded for Vanguard, First Edition, Carlton Classics and RPO record labels.

Bernhardt has a love for all genres of music, making him equally at home in symphonic, operatic, pops and educational performances. He and his wife, Nora, have one son, one daughter, and one granddaughter.