Dr. W. Bryce Hayes maintains an active career as a conductor, teacher, church musician, pianist, accompanist, and singer. Bryce is currently Associate Professor of Choral Music at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia and was recently honored by being named Distinguished Teacher for the College of Visual and Performing Arts for the 2018-2019 academic year. At JMU Dr. Hayes conducts The Treble Chamber Choir, The University Men’s Chorus, The University Chorus, and teaches graduate choral literature, undergraduate conducting, and courses in music education. Dr. Hayes is an active adjudicator and clinician. Recent and upcoming appearances include conducting honors choirs and workshops in Virginia, New Jersey, California, and Delaware All-State Choir.

Dr. Hayes is a certified Kodály educator, and his current research interests include strategies for improving musicianship with secondary and collegiate choirs, the role of gender in choral ensembles, and creativity in the choral classroom. Bryce is active as a church musician. He currently serves Trinity Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia where he coordinates worship music and conducts the church choir.

A New Jersey native, Dr. Hayes hails most recently from Minneapolis, Minnesota where he completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from The University of Minnesota. Prior to his time in Minnesota, Dr. Hayes received a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University. His career began with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education summa cum laude from Westminster Choir College following which he served as the Director of Upper School Choral Music at Princeton Day School. When not making music, Bryce enjoys teaching and practicing yoga, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, and cooking.