Debra Lew Harder (born 1960 or 1961) is an American pianist and radio announcer and host of the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts. Harder was named as the fifth host of the broadcasts in 2021, succeeding the retiring Mary Jo Heath.
Harder was previously an announcer for classical music on radio station WRTI in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Harder later moved to Philadelphia, where she shifted to mainly teaching music rather than performing, and she served on the faculties of Haverford College and Bryn Mawr College.[2][5] She was host of the classical music programs on local radio station WRTI from 2016 to 2021.[7] In 2021, she was named as the new host of the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts, taking the place of the retiring Mary Jo Heath.[8] Harder is the fifth person in 95 years to hold the job since the radio broadcasts began in 1931.[2]
Personal life
In 1985, she married Thomas Harder.[1][2] He is a physician.[2] They have two children.[2]