Eric Kao, Musical Director, Accompanist
Eric Kao is the current Music Director for the Sierra High Notes. He leads the community choir at several outreach events including the Great Reno Balloon Race, Good Old Days Club, senior living homes, and veteran-related events. His relationship with the group began as a substitute piano accompanist under Richard Lee’s Sierra Nevada Masterworks Chorale before becoming the choir’s primary accompanist in 2016. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Eric took on the role as Music Director conducting from the keyboard with less than 15 singers. To this day, Mr. Kao has grown the choir to over 35 members.
A graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno, Eric earned a Master’s of Music in Collaborative Piano and a Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and Piano Performance.
He has over 25 years of musical experience ranging from performing solo recitals to playing with full orchestras. His involvement in the community includes accompanying musicians in competitions, performing in school music programs, and playing in musical productions. Mr. Kao is a professionally licensed civil engineer for DOWL, LLC, designing water and wastewater projects, managing construction work, and leading the company’s CAD standards.
The rest of the time, Eric is a father and a husband, enjoying the Northern Nevada outdoors such as camping, snowshoeing, and kayaking.
We are grateful and delighted to have Eric’s expertise guiding us!
Kevin Craik, President
In February 2018, Kevin Craik became the President of the Nonprofit Organization that is now the Sierra High Notes. While he as been a singer with the group since 2014, he has been in entertainment since 1966. He sang with the Sierra Boy’s Choir and performed at the opening of the Pioneer Theatre in 1968. He has been a singer, dancer, and actor in many local productions. Kevin has also worked on the backstage side of the footlights, working as a stage technician for over 48 years including doing some 3000 performances of the Hello Hollywood Hello show at the then MGM Grand Hotel. Kevin is also a professional Ballroom Dancer and Instructor. He is currently the AV-Event Manager at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino here in Reno.