Ryan Deignan — JAZZ CHOIRS

Ryan Deignan is Assistant Professor of Choral Music at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he conducts the UMD Concert Chorale, leads vocal jazz ensembles Lake Effect and Chill Factor, and teaches traditional and jazz voice lessons, ear training, and vocal pedagogy. Deignan completed his doctorate in Choral Studies with a related field in Vocal Pedagogy at the University of North Texas where he served as Associate Director of the UNT Concert Choir, Associate Director of the UNT Grand Chorus, and taught conducting. At the secondary level, Deignan led the West Des Moines Valley High School choral program of 350 students, seven traditional choirs, two show choirs, and four jazz choirs. Under his direction, Valley Singers performed at the 2016 NC-ACDA Convention. Prior to West Des Moines, Deignan was Associate Director at Cedar Rapids Washington High School, where he led a Slice of Jazz to the 2012 Iowa Vocal Jazz Championship. Deignan holds a BA in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Luther College and an MA in Music Education from the University of Iowa. He is a member of ACDA, NAFME, NATS, Jazz Educators Network, and the Voice Foundation.