New to Fresno State, Dr. Earnhart is an assistant professor in the Music Department and director of Choral Activities.

"I arrived at Fresno State this fall after teaching the last two years at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates," she said. "There I served as Director of Choral Activities and assistant professor of Voice."

She holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance and M.M. degrees in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. She holds a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting with related field studies in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of North Texas in Denton. 

"I have been combining careers as conductor, teacher and singer," she said. "I have been afforded the opportunity to work with choirs in the U.S. and abroad. As a conductor abroad, I made guest conducting appearances with the Budapesti Vándor Kórus in Budapest, Hungary; served as Maestro of Ensemble Vocale Tempus Floridum and as Maestro Collaboratore of Coro dell’ Accademia del Diletto and Coro Polofonico del Caricentro, all in Florence."

She worked as musical director for Speech Bubbles theater group, based in Istanbul from 2010-2013, and as guest conductor for the Istanbul International Chamber Choir. In 2012, she became the first female conductor of the UNT Men’s Chorus and served as assistant conductor of Schola Cantorum of Texas in Ft. Worth. 

"I began my professional singing career in New York City and have since been performing professionally as a soloist in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East," she said.

Earnhart has loved to sing since a very early age, though her family was skeptical that she really could sing because the skill did not run in the family. 

"When I had the opportunity to join the choir in the sixth grade it changed my life," she said. "Joining choir in middle school gave me a place where I belonged; I was a part of a team and I was allowed to express myself in a new way for the first time and find my own voice in the world. While I began my career as a singer and continue to have great opportunities in that field, it is being a part of a choir that I love most."

When the opportunity arose several years ago for her to go back to her home town and teach in the choral program in which she grew up, she really developed a love for conducting choirs. 

"When it came time to pursue my doctorate, studying conducting formally seemed the next logical step for me," she said. "I love watching choirs come together and become a family ... a system of support for one another and seeing students transform before my eyes by being a part of something bigger than themselves. Music has the ability to transform you and draw you together with others in a way that nothing else can. That is what I love about working with choirs."

Hands down, the part Earnhart likes most about her job is the students. 

"Don’t get me wrong," she said. "I have amazing colleagues here at Fresno State that I am proud to get to teach alongside every day, but the students are my main focus. I love making music and having the opportunity to challenge young musicians to work and perform at high levels. Helping them to find themselves through the music we make. Hopefully, helping them to find their voice in this world."

As Director of Choral Activities, not only does she get the opportunity to oversee and help grow Fresno State's Choral program, but her current teaching duties here include conducting the Chamber Singers, the Concert Choir and teaching basic and advanced conducting. 

"I also get the opportunity to work within the surrounding communities working with area choral directors and meeting prospective students," she said. "Most weeks you can find me at an area high school giving a choral clinic or adjudicating a festival. It is great fun and I always learn something valuable to bring back to our students here at Fresno State."

Earnhart considers herself lucky throughout her career to have been given great professional opportunities. But, the most amazing thing is what she gets to do every day working with eager young musicians and helping them find their way in this crazy world. 

"Watching that happen and seeing them be successful is the greatest thing and to think you perhaps played even the smallest role in their journey is amazing," she said.

With the Fresno State Chamber Singers, she will be traveling to to Washington, D.C., next April to perform at the Library of Congress as part of the celebration of U.S. Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera. 

"Prior to my arrival in August, I received a request that Herrera had asked for one of our choirs to participate in this event," she said. "We have been in the planning stages ever since. After meeting him in August, I soon found out the profound impact music had on him growing up. The students are ecstatic. Many of them have never even been to our nation’s capital, and what better opportunity than as a performer for such a prestigious event." 

The Fresno State Chamber Singers is a select group of 20 singers representing majors from across campus. The Fresno State program will include pieces that hold significance to Juan Felipe Herrera and that fit the theme of the event. In addition, two of Fresno State's composition faculty, Drs. Ben Boone and Ken Froelich, will be composing pieces based upon Herrera's works for the choir to perform. President Castro, Provost Zelezny and Dean Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval are supporting the group's participation.

"Of course, as a conductor I am honored to be a part of this and to conduct this fine group of singers for such a prestigious event," she said. "Even more, though, I am excited for the opportunity it presents for our students. Some of my best memories as an undergrad came from significant performances I was fortunate enough to be a part of as a member of the choir. I think it will be an unforgettable experience for these young singers."

Currently, she is working on a few projects and committees. 

"Next semester, I am delighted to have been chosen to teach a course for the College of Arts and Humanities discussing the correlation between art and music in Italy, which will culminate with a 3-week trip to Florence studying art and attending amazing live musical performances," she said.

She is also currently preparing for two big presentations next spring at music conferences in Minnesota and Hawaii on one of her research topics, "Unveiling the Mystery: Understanding Arabic Choral Music for the Western Choral Conductor." She currently serves on the Music Department’s Curriculum Committee and a search committee for a Gospel Choir director.

"Beyond Fresno State, I serve on the international advisory board for EMMA for Peace (an organization that promotes peace through music around the world) and as the chair of Repertoire and Resources for the Western Division of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)," she said.

Some of Earnhart's hobbies include traveling (she has been to 31 countries and counting!), photography and watching college sports. 

She is single, but she loves being an aunt to two beautiful nephews, ages nine and ten.

"They are my world!" she said.