ABOUT
ETHAN NEAL is an American conductor and baritone whose work explores the relationship between singing and conducting across opera, orchestral, and choral performance. Drawing on his experience as both conductor and performer, he brings a singer's perspective to the podium and a conductor's perspective to vocal performance. Hailed for his "mesmerizing conducting" (Ryan Brandau, Princeton ProMusica) and "engaging singing" (Cincinnati Classical Concerts Review), Neal is particularly interested in opera, collaborative music-making, and programming that places the expressive potential of the human voice at its center.
Neal has collaborated as both conductor and singer with organizations including the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Symphonic Chorus, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Spoleto Festival USA, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Song Initiative, Vocal Arts Ensemble Cincinnati, and the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory. Additional professional engagements have included work with Lexington Philharmonic, Kentucky Opera, Santa Fe Opera, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, the Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas, the Kentucky Bach Choir, the professional recording ensemble Coro Volante, and the England-based vocal ensemble Gallicantus.
Recent and upcoming engagements include performances with Spoleto Festival USA, serving as Assistant Conductor for the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory, and appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Symphonic Chorus. His developing career reflects a growing focus on opera, orchestral, and vocal performance, informed by his experience both on the podium and on the concert stage.
Neal is the Founding Artistic Director of the Artifex Ensemble, a Cincinnati-based professional vocal ensemble dedicated to innovative programming and collaborative artistic experiences. He also serves on the faculties of Miami University, Thomas More University, and Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts. In addition, he is Assistant Minister for Worship and Music at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer and a Teaching Artist with Cincinnati Opera.
Neal holds master's degrees in Choral Conducting and Voice Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and undergraduate degrees in Organ and Choral Music Education from the University of Kentucky.
