About

Morgan Ballard-Wheeler is a musical artist, writer, and photographer currently based in Tucson, Arizona.

Morgan is compelled to create music as a conductor. His training has included auditing masterclasses with Paavo Järvi and has conducted at workshops such as the International Conducting Institute (Zlín, Czech Republic) and the European American Musical Alliance (Paris, France).

Morgan’s principal instrument is viola, having obtained a Master’s from The Hartt School in 2022. He has played with training orchestras in Austria and Maine [the AIMS and Monteux Music Festivals, respectively]. Morgan is also a trained bass-baritone and was a section leader for Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford, Connecticut and a guest artist for Berkshire Choral International at Tanglewood. He is now a member of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

Morgan is currently a Facilitator with the Symphonic Laboratory, investigating the key elements of performance that manifest transformative musical performances.

He is now seeking roles within the vital work of Arts Administration. With a background in music, teaching, and strong interpersonal skills, Morgan is enthusiastic to combine these toolsets to pursue a career in development. Relevant experience includes internships with New York Youth Symphony and Baltimore Symphony.

In 2020, Morgan received his B.A. from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. St. John’s engages all its students in a singular, rigorous course of Western philosophy, literature, music, mathematics, and science. While music is his path, the life of the mind is his raison d’etre. He sustains this life through his blog on aesthetics in culture.

During the 22-23 academic year, Morgan taught violin, viola, and cello to grades 4-8 at the Tucson Waldorf School. He also engages a private studio for students of violin and viola.

His hobbies include memorizing Shakespeare and Wordle.