Alan Baer studied at Indiana University of Pennsylvania with Dr. Gary Bird. He completed his B.Music degree with Ronald Bishop at the Cleveland Institute of Music and pursued graduate studies at the University of Southern California, Cleveland Institute of Music, and California State University, Long Beach, where he studied with Tommy Johnson. Baer joined the New York Philharmonic in 2004 as principal tuba. He was formerly principal tuba with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. His other performing credits include recordings with the Cleveland Orchestra led by Vladimir Ashkenazy, performances with the Peninsula Music Festival of Wisconsin, New Orleans Symphony, Los Angeles Concert Orchestra, Ojai Festival Orchestra (California), Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed as a featured soloist, touring several countries in Europe, including Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France.

B.M.E., Birmingham-Southern College; M.M.E., M.M.M., Florida State University; D.M., Indiana University. Music director, Dessoff Choirs (2005– ), Berkshire Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra (2005– ), Light Opera Oklahoma (1999– ), and May Festival Youth Chorus, Cincinnati (1997– ); founder and artistic director, Voices United Residential Arts Camp (1999–2002); artistic director and conductor, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir (1999–2001); guest conductor, Jerusalem Symphony, Tulsa Symphony, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (1999–2001); chorus master, Bard Music Festival. Prepared choruses nationwide for numerous prominent conductors, including Loren Maazel, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Yuri Temirkanov, Robert Shaw, Raymond Leppard, James Conlon, Leon Botstein, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Michael Tilson Thomas. Director of Orchestral and Choral Music. (2000– ) Professor of Music.