Ertan Seyyar Sener, a resident of Simsbury, holds a degree in conducting from the University of Hartford's The Hartt School. At The Hartt School, he studied under and was mentored by composer/conductor Gene Young, while William Willett encouraged his connection to music education. Following graduation, Sener studied in California with prolific American composer, Lou Harrison. His past conducting positions have included president and associate conductor of the Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra and assistant conductor of the Manchester Symphony.
Sener has been on the Hartt School Community Division faculty since 1992 and currently teaches music history, theory, and ear training, as well as percussion performance. He is a talented musician as well as a conductor and has performed as percussionist with the Waterbury Symphony, the Wallingford Symphony, the New Britain Symphony, and the New Britain Chorale. Additionally, he founded and performs regularly with Steel Sunrise Steel Drum Band and is the music director of the Simsbury Community Band.
Sener is also the former conductor and musical director of the New Britain Symphony Orchestra, a role he assumed during the 2014-2015 concert season. During the previous season, Sener served as the guest conductor of the New Britain Symphony for their 65th anniversary celebration concert, “On Time”, during which he led the orchestra in works by Charles Ives, Hayden, and Beethoven.