Dr. Bernhardt is Professor of Music at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where he is the Aural Training Coordinator and teaches in the voice area. From 2008 to 2026, he was Director of Choral Activities, and he served as Artistic Director of the Corpus Christi Chorale from 2008 to 2015.
Prior to his 2008 appointment at TAMU-CC, Dr. Bernhardt served as Chair of the Music Department and Director of Choral Activities at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee. He also served on the faculties of Columbia College (Missouri) and Lansing Community College (Michigan) and was a high school choral director in southwest Virginia.
An internationally recognized composer, Dr. Bernhardt has won numerous composition awards, including:
- First prize, Concurso Internacional Amadeus de Composición Coral (Spain)
- First prize, Longfellow Choral Composition Competition (USA)
- First prize, Ithaca College Choral Composition Competition (USA)
- First prize, Silliman Anthem Competition (USA)
- Third prize, American Prize in Composition ((opera/theater/film/dance), for his opera, Olivia’s Ocean
- Special commendation, Phoenix Choral Composition Competition (UK)
His choral compositions have been performed at several ACDA conventions, All-State choirs, and European choral competitions. He is published by Mark Foster, Hinshaw, Colla Voce, and Swirly Music.
For 11 years, Dr. Bernhardt served as assistant conductor for the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and was also the bass faculty for the Berkshire Choral Festival in Santa Fe. An active baritone soloist, Dr. Bernhardt has performed with musicians and organizations such as the Santa Fe Opera, Dave Brubeck, San Juan Symphony, Canterbury Choral Society, and the Santa Fe Symphony. He performed for 10 years with the Oregon Bach Festival under the direction of Matthew Halls and Helmuth Rilling. He has 50 years of experience as an organist and is currently the organist at Island Presbyterian Church on Padre Island.
Dr. Bernhardt is a member of the Society for Music Theory, Texas Music Educators Association, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
