Eric Scheider

Eric Scheider first realized that he loved teaching during his previous life as a musician and arts manager.  Growing up in Western New York, he would never have imagined working in education.  But, the privilege of facilitating self discovery in others and his ongoing fascination with the ways the human mind grows and changes make his role in FernLeaf’s performing arts program a true joy on a daily basis.  

Eric has worked professionally as a cellist, conductor, and arranger since 2006.  He directs the Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra, performs in several regional orchestras, and is a member of the Cafe String Quartet.  He has served as the interim music director of the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra and the Converse University Symphony Orchestra, founded and directed the Echo Early Music Festival, led the education programs of the Hendersonville Symphony, and taught orchestra for the Henderson County Public Schools.  He has guest conducted for student, collegiate, and adult ensembles across the Western Carolinas and has performed for all types of projects, from MTV Films to a tour of China.  He has arranged for Grammy winners and professional orchestras, but many of his proudest collaborations have been with FernLeaf students, from kindergarten on up.  

Eric has a BA in Philosophy from the University of Rochester and further Music Education licensure coursework from the Eastman School of Music, Berklee College of Music, University of the Arts, Western and East Carolina Universities and elsewhere.  In other previous lives, he worked in a vegetarian restaurant, in green building, at a meditation center, and as a yoga teacher, all of which are continuing passions.  In his next life, he hopes to spend more time in the garden.