"In my third year of teaching, I started to have vocal problems. I was taking voice lessons. I was singing professionally. It was feeling great. Suddenly my voice was gone, and I couldn't get it back. I took a leave of absence to get some speech language therapy. That's why I'm so passionate about using our voices in the choral ensemble in an effective way and having us as conductors find how to use that voice so that they don't need to manipulate things.

Dr. Jennaya Robison is the Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir (Minneapolis, MN) and an in-demand conductor, educator, and soprano. Known for her dynamic leadership and commitment to intergenerational and globally engaged choral artistry, she has conducted choirs, workshops, and festivals across the United States, Europe, and southern Africa. She is a frequent guest conductor for All-State and honor choirs and is highly sought after for her work in worship, education, and community-based choral initiatives.

From 2020 to 2023, Robison served as the Raymond R. Neevel/Missouri Associate Professor and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory. Prior to that, she was Associate Professor of Choral Music at Luther College. She holds a Master of Music in conducting and voice from the University of New Mexico and a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Arizona.

Robison is deeply committed to voice pedagogy within the choral ensemble, cultivating expressive singing and honoring the unique vocal potential of each singer. She is also an active composer and arranger, editing the National Lutheran Choir Series with MorningStar Music and the Jennaya Robison Series with Pavane Publishing. She serves as national chair for Music in Worship for the American Choral Directors Association.

To get in touch with Jennaya, you can visit the National Lutheran Choir website, nlca.com, or visit their YouTube channel (@NLChoir). You can also find Jennaya on Facebook (@jennaya.robison) or Instagram (@jennayarobison).

Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.

Podcast music from Podcast.co
Photo in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

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“I love the way that contemporary a cappella engages singers who might not necessarily see themselves as ‘choral singers’ to be able to sing together and maybe discover a love of more traditional choral music. For me, it’s all about engaging more singers. Group singing is such a beautiful community, and I’ve seen the ways it can really change lives, create beautiful spaces for self-expression, and do some good for the world in a time where we really need it."

Rob Dietz is a multi award-winning singer and vocal percussionist who has been arranging, composing, teaching, and performing contemporary a cappella music for over twenty years. Based in Los Angeles, Rob is best known for his work as an arranger and group coach on NBC’s The Sing-Off. His arrangements have been performed by top-tier vocal artists, including Grammy-winning groups Pentatonix and The Swingles, as well as VoicePlay, Kings Return, and many more.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in music with an outside field in business from Ithaca College in 2010. While at Ithaca, Rob had the honor of directing the all male-identified group, Ithacappella, with whom he twice advanced to the finals of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella.

As a performer, Rob is an internationally recognized vocal percussionist, with credits including Glee (FOX) and The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Rob has a deep passion for a cappella education, and is a founding co-director (along with Ben Bram and Avi Kaplan) of A Cappella Academy. In 2016, he launched Legacy, a youth a cappella group in Los Angeles. In 2023, he transitioned Legacy into Academy Choir: Los Angeles, a larger ensemble blending contemporary a cappella with modern choral music.

In addition to directing his own groups, Rob is a sought-after clinician and presenter, having conducted honor ensembles at regional and state festivals. He is also the author of A Cappella 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Contemporary A Cappella Singing.

Alongside his work in contemporary a cappella, Rob is also an accomplished choral composer, with works published by Hal Leonard, Alfred, GIA Publications, and Heritage. Rob currently serves as the national repertoire and resources co-chair for Contemporary/Commercial music for the American Choral Directors Association

To get in touch with Rob, you can visit robdietzmusic.com or find him on Instagram (@rdietz55) or Facebook (@rdietz2).

Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.

Podcast music from Podcast.co
Photo in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

“We were all asking ourselves, ‘what can we do to counter this, what’s happening in the world? How can I help my singers understand and navigate what is happening in our country right now?’ I made this huge shift in my thinking about what choral music should be and why we should be doing it. It's not just ‘what are you singing and is it gorgeous?’ but ‘how are you making a difference? How are you impacting the world?’”

Dr. Joy Hirokawa is the Artistic/Executive Director of the Mosaic Youth Chorus, established in 2023 to provide an opportunity for diverse youth to create community, build empathy, and affect positive social change through artistic and expressive choral singing. She is a passionate advocate for giving youth voice through the choral medium and is nationally recognized as a leader in youth choral music. She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from Boston University, and both a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting and a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Music Education from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Hirokawa has taught at all levels from K – Post Grad and frequently appears as a clinician and guest conductor. She is a published author and arranger of choral music. She was the ACDA National Repertoire and Resources Chair for Children & Community Youth Choirs from 2019 – 2025. Mosaic Youth Chorus was awarded the Chorus America 2025 Education and Community Engagement Award.

To get in touch with Joy, you can visit the Mosaic Youth Chorus website or Facebook page (@mosaicyouth) or email her at joy@mosaicyouthchorus.org.

Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.

Podcast music from Podcast.co
Photo in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify