Dan Harder

[6] As a composer, Stookey was attracted to Harder’s zippered format because, like music, it is distinctly contrapuntal — two parts are independent and self-sufficient but together form a harmonious whole.

[7] Because of this formal style, the narrative of Zipperz simultaneously interweaves the attractions, fears, joys, and insights of a man and woman who meet, date, and -- eventually in love – zip their lives together.

[8] The zippered form was also used with three voices in his stage play A Killer Story (2013)[9] and was featured in The Untouchables…, a series of his poems about the unhoused published on the front page of the Opinion Section, San Francisco Chronicle (2018).

[10] Harder and composer Carlos Simon have created a dramatic oratorio, “Here I Stand” about famous singer and civil rights activist Paul Robeson that will be premiered by the Oakland East Bay Symphony then travel to The Kennedy Center in 2024.

[11] Harder has also written 2 children’s books Colliding with Chris[12] and A Child's California,[13] as well as numerous features and articles[14] for the Los Angeles Times,[15] the San Francisco Chronicle[16] and commentaries for NPR,[17] 2 photo-essay books,[18][19] numerous stage plays,[20][21] and a novel, Rancho de Amor.