Pianist John O'Brien has recently collaborated with such artists as Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Hilda Harris, violinist Eliot Chapo, tenor Bill Brown, soprano Louise Toppin, clarinetist Nathan Williams, flautist Carol Wincence (The Julliard School), clarinetist Deborah Chodacki (University of Michigan) and the East Carolina University Vocal Quartet. He has performed in New York's Merkin Recital Hall, at the Istanbul Festival with cellist Selma Gokcen and toured Europe with mezzo-soprano Donna Dease in 1992. His frequent guest appearances include recitals and masterclasses at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Florida State University, Columbus College and the Southeastern Music Festival. From 1984-1992 O'Brien served as the official accompanist for the finals of the Music Teachers National Association National Competition. Trained in strings as well as piano, O'Brien is active as both a pianist and conductor. He served as Music Director of the New Carolina Sinfonia, a professional chamber orchestra in Greenville, North Carolina, and is currently conductor of the Eastern Youth Orchestra. He received the B.M. and M.M. degrees in Piano Performance and D.M.A. in Accompanying from the University of Southern California, where he studied with John Perry, Gwendolyn Koldofsky and Jean Barr. O'Brien is presently Professor of Accompanying at East Carolina University.