Alan Harris received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, and a master’s degree and Performer’s Certificate from Indiana University, studying with Raymond Stuhl and Janos Starker.
He began his long association with Eastman, and with Rochester, in 1965, when he was also hired as assistant principal cellist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, where he played until 1969. During his time Rochester he performed with the Cleveland Quartet, the Eastman Quartet, and Rochester Chamber Soloists, and served as principal cellist for the Rochester Chamber Orchestra and the Eastman Chamber Orchestra. He taught at Eastman from 1965 to 1976, 1986 to 1987, 1994 to 1998, and from 1999 until his retirement in 2018. He has given, and continues to give, master classes, solo and chamber music performances throughout the United States.
His other faculty appointments include Inter-American University of Puerto Rico (1959-61), Ohio Wesleyan University (1961-65), Cleveland Institute of Music (1976-84, 1987-99), Northwestern University (1984-87), and he has taught on the artist faculty of the Aspen Music Festival since 1974.
In 2004 Alan Harris received Indiana University’s Eva Janzer Memorial Award for universal contributions to the art and teaching of cello playing.