Eric Whitacre

Grammy-Award Winning Composer and Conductor
Founder and Instructor, Eric Whitacre's Virtual School
Top 10 Most Performed Contemporary Composer
Renowned Speaker on Innovation and Leadership

Grammy-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre is unlike any keynote speaker you've seen before. His secret power lies in his one-of-a-kind fusion of music and interactive multi-media, with lessons that radically transform the way your organization feels and thinks. He injects new life into organizations that may feel stuck, uninspired, or overwhelmed by the pace of change; provides insight on transformative innovation and disruptive leadership; and opens audiences' eyes to new ways of creating and collaborating.

Working at the vanguard of art and technology. Whitacre has brought his unforgettable combination of speaking and music to the TED conference-- where his talk went viral-- and at events for Google, UNICEF and the United Nations. As audiences rave: "Probably the most emotionally impactful speaker we have ever had — people were mouth opened, crying, not leaving their seats."

Videos: Watch Eric Whitacre Speak >>
Topics: Talks & Conversations with Eric Whitacre >>

Past Hosts Include:

Million Dollar Round Table
USI
IBM
Deutsche Bank
Price Waterhouse Cooper

Royal College of Music
Google
Spotify
Apple
UNICEF

Rave Reviews About Eric Whitacre

“

Probably the most emotionally impactful speaker we have ever had — people were mouth opened, crying, not leaving their seats. Nothing but compliments. ...his choir from local school capped it off for the attendees.

- An U.S. Professional Membership Association

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More rave reviews

"Although there were a lot of people tuned in, it was very much an intimate conversation between the students and Eric."

-California Polytechnic State University

"The students all commented on how they felt it was one of the best and most informative evenings they've ever had. Your willingness to share your knowledge and experience, and the humorous and articulate way in which you did so was inspiring for everyone — myself included."

-A Major U.S. University

"When putting together the [...] Anthem competition I needed a judge with an international reputation who would not only bring credibility and integrity to the competition but would also be a major part of the prize. Eric was simply incredible. His energy helping with the promotion and allowing us to tap into his social network was matched by his wonderful musicianship, conducting and interpretation of the winning anthems with his world-class singers. As a composer and performer he is unique in crossing so many musical styles at such a high level, which for me was essential for the variety of music this competition attracted. He made the project very special and a joy."

-A Major UK Recording Studio

"What can I say about Eric? He exceeded our expectations and got a standing ovation after his presentation from the audience. Many have told me best presentation they have ever attended! THANK YOU!!"

-A Major Travel Organization

"Whitacre is that rare thing, a modern composer who is both popular and original."

-The Daily Telegraph

"Eric was marvelous! He stayed and met students one at a time, signing and taking photos. Eric was very thoughtful, candid and charming during the Q & A. I cannot express effusively enough what a wonderful experience this was for so many. This will be one of the events I cherish forever."

-A Major University

"Whitacre's skills seem the perfect gift, come at the perfect time."

-The Times

"We are really happy with the whole event, and definitely super happy with Eric’s presentation and workshop. He did an amazing job with the choir and the 240 participants. The participants gave us really good feedback both on the presentation and the workshop."

-A Swedish Commercial Music Streaming Company

"Eric was absolutely wonderful. Everyone gave him a glowing review. Presentation style and content were perfect. He is an incredibly talented amazing guy."

-Leading Payment Accuracy Solutions Provider for Major U.S. Healthcare Payers

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Virtual Q&A clip - Why is it important that we keep singing | California Polytechnic State [5:45] - Get Sharable Link

Talks & Conversations with Eric Whitacre

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The Golden Brick: How a simple, fundamental idea can change the world and push the boundaries of innovation

Grammy-winning musician Eric Whitacre unlocks worlds of creativity, from the kernel of an idea to some of our world's most important innovations. Taking the awe-inspiring grandeur and achievements of NASA's extraordinary Hubble missions and finding within them a story of human endeavour, vision and bravery that made it all possible. The creative process plays a vital role in almost every aspect of our world, informed and enhanced by research and technology, and fuelled to success by curiosity and perseverance.

Maestro Myth: The secret to great leadership

True leadership is so much more than a single, smart, charismatic force. The framework that is baked into the system which processes, grows and creates the required success is the ultimate power behind the throne. Multi-award-winning composer and conductor, Eric Whitacre, looks at the question of tr ...

Creativity and Connection: The Humanism of Technology

Eric Whitacre is the creator of the Virtual Choir, a digital project that combines thousands of user-submitted videos into a single, stunning choral performance. This global choir transcends geography, class and background: it is a testament to the power of leadership and technology to foster creativity and connection, even in the most challenging circumstances. Eric talk to the rise of organic humanistic online communities and his own creative pathways, inspiring us to unlock that simple, fundamental idea as part of our quest to become our best self, creating something bigger than the sum of its parts.

Finding your voice: Unleashing your creative fire

A creative innovator in the music and technology space, Grammy-winning composer and conductor, Eric Whitacre, digs into man's natural sense of curiosity. Creativity is hard to learn, but enhancing curiosity through teaching ourselves to have an open mind, endlessly questioning premises and exploring opportunity, unlocks a higher level of consciousness and the ability to deliver creative and successful solutions. Embracing the mantra of 'fail big, fail often', Eric explores failure as a positive and often necessary pathway to true innovation.

Press & Media

The awesomeness of 9,000 voices singing nah nah nah, nah-nah-nah-nah - The LA Times

Cancer, chemo and ‘The Sacred Veil’: Master Chorale sings a search for solace - The LA Times

In Conversation with Eric Whitacre - Varsity Online

Eric Whitacre: ‘Do I believe in an afterlife? This is a three-martini question’ - Financial Times

GRAMMY-Winning Composer and Conductor Eric Whitacre Joins Ranks of Acclaimed Yamaha Artists - WFMZ Allentown

Eric Whitacre - WYPR

Grammy Winner Eric Whitacre Conducts First Ever Live Virtual Chorus Using Groundbreaking Tech - Broadway World

Ideas for the Meeting Planner

Biography

Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre is among today’s most popular musicians. His works are programmed worldwide and his ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united singers from more than 145 countries over the last decade. Born in Nevada in 1970, Eric is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School of Music (New York). He completed his second term as Artist in Residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale in 2020 having served five years as Composer in Residence at the University of Cambridge (UK). In 2021, Eric was named a Yamaha Artist.

His compositions have been widely recorded and his debut album as a conductor on Universal, Light and Gold, went straight to the top of the charts, earning a Grammy. As a guest conductor he has drawn capacity audiences to concerts with many of the world’s leading orchestras and choirs in venues from Carnegie Hall (New York) to the Royal Albert Hall (London). Insatiably curious and a lover of all types of music, Eric has worked with legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, as well as British pop icons Laura Mvula, Imogen Heap and Annie Lennox.

In 2018 his composition, Deep Field, became the foundation for a pioneering collaboration with NASA, the Space Telescope Science Institute, Music Productions and film-makers 59 Productions. His long-form work The Sacred Veil, a profound meditation on love, life and loss, was premiered by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by the composer, and released on Signum Records. In 2021, Eric launches the Virtual School with its first course “The Beautiful Mess: Lessons in Composition and Creativity”.

A charismatic speaker, Eric Whitacre has given keynote addresses for TED, Apple, Google, the United Nations Speaker’s Program, in education and for numerous global institutions. His collaboration with Spitfire Audio resulted in a trail-blazing vocal sample library, became an instant best-seller and is used by composers the world-over.

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