This photograph is provided by THE WHITE HOUSE as a courtesy and may be printed by the subject(s) in the photograph for personal use only. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not otherwise be reproduced, disseminated or broadcast, without the written permission of the White House Photo Office. This photograph may not be used in any commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
Presidential Photo with Eric Conway and Morgan State Choir1
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama join the Morgan State University Choir for a group photo in the State Dining Room prior to hosting "The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House" in the East Room of the White House, April 14, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)This photograph is provided by THE WHITE HOUSE as a courtesy and may be printed by the subject(s) in the photograph for personal use only. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not otherwise be reproduced, disseminated or broadcast, without the written permission of the White House Photo Office. This photograph may not be used in any commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
Dr. Eric Conway is the chairperson of Morgan State University's Fine & Performing Arts Department.
Under the direction of Conway, the famed Morgan choir has performed at the White House and state venues around the world, including the Czech Republic, Ghana, South Africa, Cuba, Australia, and Colombia.
Also under his tenure, the Morgan Choir was nominated for a Grammy, in recognition of their contribution to the recording of Leonard Bernstein's Mass with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
This February, Conway was one of 10 historically black colleges and university (HBCU) researchers honored with the 2018 HBCU Innovation Award.
Conway is the first pianist, conductor, and music director to receive a Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) at the annual conference dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
“What an honor to be recognized in the STEM. world! I was impressed with the BEYA conference, where time was devoted to liberal arts aspects of the profession. It appears that engineers recognize that their craft may be enhanced by a creative approach to their respective projects. Personally, I appreciated the special recognition given to me for my accomplishments in the performing arts world," Conway said.
A doctoral graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University, he majored in piano and conducting and received the prestigious Liberace scholarship.
As a pianist, he has appeared in America and abroad as a soloist and chamber musician. He has also toured Asia as the orchestral pianist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO).
Dr. Conway’s choral accomplishments include working closely with some of the greatest conductors of the century, including Robert Shaw, Sir Neville Mariner, and Donald Neuen.
From 2013 to 2016, Conway served as a member of Maryland State Arts Council.