Dr. Edward W. Hardy has been praised by The New York Times for composing “omnipresent music” and playing “the violin superbly”. A critically acclaimed Black and Puerto Rican composer, music director, virtuoso violinist and violist, he is recognized as one of the foremost exponents of solo violin repertoire for theatrical productions. Dr. Hardy served as the composer, music director and violinist of the sensational Off-Broadway show The Woodsman, earning the 2016 Obie Award, 2014 Jim Henson Foundation Grant, and was broadcast on PBS stations four separate times. While remaining dedicated to arts education and creative entrepreneurship, Dr. Hardy is the founder of the Omnipresent Music Festival, and the co-founder/ past senior director of operations of the Northern Colorado Center for Arts Entrepreneurship, and the previous digital marketing director and artistic advisor of the Beethoven in the Rockies Concert Series. Over the past decade, Dr. Hardy held violin teaching/ performing residencies and, as a visiting artist, gave masterclasses and lectures at numerous music programs and universities spanning New York City to Los Angeles, California. In May 2024, Hardy earned a Doctor of Arts degree in violin performance from the University of Northern Colorado. He remains an active and dedicated performing artist throughout the United States with venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and many others. Currently, Hardy's discography contains 8 singles, 1 album, and his list of original compositions include works for solo violin, voice, harp, piano, string quartet, string trio, string duo, Latin ensemble, and soundtracks for film and stage. Dr. Hardy has research in non-traditional string techniques and beyond his history of premiering contemporary works, his dissertation, "A Compendium of Three Musical Works Inspired by the African American Experience: Recordings, Commentary, and Pedagogical Observations," and his children’s coloring book, “Color the Legacy: A Coloring Book of African American Cultural Pioneers” was published in 2024. www.edwardwhardy.com.