Dr. Jake Taylor is the newly appointed Choral Director at New Mexico State University and will serve as conductor of the University Singers, Concert Choir and Masterworks Choir. In addition to his conducting responsibilities, he will teach courses in conducting, choral methods, and music education. Previously, Dr. Taylor was an instructor at Texas Tech University. There he served as conductor of the Matador Singers, director of the Opera Chorus, associate conductor of the Women’s Chorale, and co-conductor of the University Choir—TTU’s premier choral ensemble. Alongside these positions, he taught courses in Vocal Pedagogy, Choral Conducting, and mentored both graduate students and pre-service teachers.
Prior to working at the university level, Dr. Taylor taught secondary choirs in Texas for six years. In 2014, he co-founded The Houston Men’s Choir, a collaborative ensemble of tenor-bass singers that rehearses and performs without a traditional conductor and is a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization committed to the art of singing and its positive impact through performance and education.
Dr. Taylor earned his D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University as well as a master’s degree in Choral Conducting and bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. His recent research focuses on metrical dissonance and other temporal elements in the vocal quartets of Johannes Brahms. He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician and has given numerous presentations on score study, conducting gesture, and rehearsal technique.
Mailing Address
Main Fax: 575-646-8199
Department of Music MSC 3F, NMSU
PO Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003
