Dear Listeners,

We’re thrilled to announce that the next few months are shaping up to be some of our most exciting yet! We have six incredible guests lined up to join us on the podcast—each bringing their unique stories, insights, and inspiration from the world of choral music. From legendary composers to dynamic educators and innovators, these conversations are ones you won’t want to miss.

✨ Find out more about these guests by reading below! ✨

JD Frizzell

Our first two-time podcast guest! Dr. J.D. Frizzell is the Director of Fine Arts and Vocal Music at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, TN. A composer, conductor, and clinician, he earned his DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Kentucky and dual master’s degrees in Music Theory/Composition and Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi.

An award-winning composer, Frizzell has published choral and instrumental works internationally and was named TMEA’s Outstanding Young Music Educator. At Briarcrest, he leads a team of twelve faculty-artists overseeing K–12 fine arts programs and directs Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and OneVoice—a SONY recording artist ensemble that won Macy’s A Cappella Challenge and appeared on America’s Got Talent.

He co-founded the A Cappella Education Association and serves as Director of Education for Camp A Cappella. Active as a clinician and adjudicator, he was named one of “Memphis’ Finest” for his community contributions.

Jonathan Owen

President of the Southwest American Choral Directors Association, Jonathan Owen retired as choral director in 2018 after thirty years as a Missouri public school music teacher. During his teaching tenure, his choirs performed eight times at the Missouri MEA Conference and for the 2002 Music Educators National Conference (NAfME). In his retirement, Owen serves as organist/accompanist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, MO. He has an MM in choral conducting from Missouri State University, a BME voice emphasis (Certificate Recital) from Evangel University, and an AA from Neosho County Community College (KS).  

Clint Ferrie

Clinton (Hardy) Ferrie is the head choral director at Trinity Springs MS and is in his sixteenth year of teaching. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from TCU and his Master’s degree from the UNT. Most recently, Mr. Ferrie’s Varsity Treble Choir was invited to perform at the 2025 American Choral Directors Association Conference and the 2023 Texas Music Educators Association Convention. Previous to this, his Varsity Treble Choir performed at the 2022 Southwestern ACDA Convention, his Varsity Tenor-Bass Choir at the 2021 National ACDA Convention, and his Varsity Treble Choir at the 2019 TMEA Convention. He is a member of ACDA, TMEA, TCDA and TMAA.

Michael Joseph Barrett

Michael Joseph Barrett (Australia) was most recently the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Pretoria (South Africa), the conductor of the renowned Tuks Camerata and a Senior Lecturer in Choral Conducting in the Department of Music. His compositions and arrangements have been performed throughout the world, and his arrangements of traditional South African songs are especially popular. Michael has won many choir competitions and regularly adjudicates and presents workshops on South African Music both nationally and abroad. The University of Pretoria (Tuks) Camerata is one of South Africa’s finest choral ensembles, having won many accolades and awards over the years. Michael was the conductor of the Tuks Camerata from 2013-2025 and he regularly attends symposia and conferences all over the world to remain at the forefront of choral music education.

Ryan Main

Ryan Main (b. 1984) is an award-winning composer, conductor, and clinician whose choral and band music is performed worldwide, including at Carnegie Hall and national ACDA conferences. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, he earned his Bachelor of Music in Composition from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and dual master’s degrees in Composition and Music Education from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

His compositions, known for their powerful style and emotional depth, have earned multiple Editor’s Choice and 5-star distinctions from major retailers like J.W. Pepper and Stanton’s. Ryan is an active clinician, honor choir conductor, and presenter featured on numerous podcasts and conferences.

He is the founder of the Youth Chorus of Kansas City, providing access to quality music education for students from diverse backgrounds. Ryan also mentors young composers and teaches Choral Arranging at UMKC. He also founded Endeavor Music Publishing to support fair compensation for composers.

Susan LaBarr

Susan LaBarr (b. 1981) is a composer and choral editor living and working in Springfield, Missouri. Her compositions are published by Walton Music, Morningstar Music, and Santa Barbara Music Publishing. Susan has completed commissions for choirs worldwide, most notably Seraphic Fire, the National ACDA Women’s Choir Consortium, and the Texas Choral Director’s Association’s Director’s Chorus. She served as the Missouri Composer Laureate for 2012 and 2013. Her arrangement of Quem pastores laudavere appeared on New York Polyphony’s 2014 Grammy- nominated album, Sing Thee Nowell. Her work for mezzo soprano and piano, Little Black Book, was premiered at Carnegie Hall in October 2019.

Central to Susan’s musical vocabulary is the knowledge she gained from studying with Alice Parker at her home in Hawley, Massachusetts, where she attended the Composer’s Workshop and Melody Studies Workshop. Susan attended Missouri State University in Springfield, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in music and a Master of Music in music theory. Susan, her husband Cameron, and their son Elliott reside in Springfield, Missouri, where Cameron is the Director of Choral Studies at Missouri State University and Susan works as Editor of Walton Music.