Biography
Hometown: Cove City, North Carolina
Current Career Title: Assistant professor of music education and director of choral activities, Grambling State University
Cordara Harper, Ph.D., is an award-winning assistant professor of music education and director of choral activities at Grambling State University (GSU), where he leads the music education and vocal music programs. A native of Cove City, North Carolina, he is a frequent choral clinician, presenter and adjudicator across the U.S.
Harper was recently honored with Yamaha’s 40 Under 40 Music Education Excellence Award, named a 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award quarterfinalist and was a finalist for the PYO Music Institute Ovation Award. He received the University of Louisiana System Outstanding Faculty Award in 2024 and GSU’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2023.
He serves as secretary on the executive board of the National Collegiate Choral Organization and previously served on the scholarship committee for the New Arts Musique Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians.
Harper earned his Ph.D. in music education with a cognate in choral conducting from the University of Memphis and graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina Central University (NCCU). His pedagogical training includes Level 2 Kodály and Level 3 Orff Schulwerk certifications, and he has taught at every level of K–12 education.
He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.