Biography
Dr. Jay Dougherty serves as the Performing Arts Department Chair and Director of Choral Activities at Drury University in Nixa, Missouri, where he directs the Chorale, Singers, and a contemporary a cappella ensemble (Pulse). In addition to his administrative and conducting responsibilities, he teaches Choral Methods, advanced conducting, and related subject areas.
Jay holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Master of Music (MM) in Choral Conducting from the University of Colorado Boulder, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Choral Music Education from Brigham Young University in Provo.
Beyond academia, Jay has distinguished himself as a highly sought-after conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in the choral and barbershop music communities. He has directed several award-winning ensembles, including the City of Flags Chorus in Canton, Ohio, the Alliance Chorus in Columbus, Ohio, and the Longs Peak Chorus in Denver, which claimed the "Plateau II Champions" title. His leadership of the 52eighty Youth Chorus resulted in a first-place international competition victory in 2014.
As a performer, Jay has earned multiple 4th place international medals singing baritone and bass with the Sound of the Rockies Chorus and secured a district quartet championship with his quartet, Surround Sound. He is an internationally certified Musicality Judge for the Barbershop Harmony Society, traveling extensively to judge contests and festivals around the world.
Jay's academic research explores diverse areas of musical pedagogy, including tuning system perceptions, strategies for helping introverts in music education settings, and the impact of imposter syndrome on musicians. His scholarly contributions are evident through over 100 conference presentations covering topics such as conducting skills, vocal techniques, audition procedures, and ensemble development.
A prolific composer and arranger, Jay has many published works including the Phoenix Cantata (MusicSpoke), Love Casts Out Fear (Melkim Publishing), and Let it Be (Barbershop Harmony Society). His professional versatility is reflected in his roles as a clinician, arranger, judge, coach, presenter, conductor, and adjudicator for festivals, ensembles, honor choirs, conventions, and competitions worldwide.
A proud father of five wonderful daughters, Jay resides in Nixa, Missouri with his bride of more than 20 years, Megan.
Dr. Jay Dougherty serves as the Performing Arts Department Chair and Director of Choral Activities at Drury University in Nixa, Missouri, where he directs the Chorale, Singers, and a contemporary a cappella ensemble (Pulse). In addition to his administrative and conducting responsibilities, he teaches Choral Methods, advanced conducting, and related subject areas.
Jay holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Master of Music (MM) in Choral Conducting from the University of Colorado Boulder, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Choral Music Education from Brigham Young University in Provo.
Beyond academia, Jay has distinguished himself as a highly sought-after conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in the choral and barbershop music communities. He has directed several award-winning ensembles, including the City of Flags Chorus in Canton, Ohio, the Alliance Chorus in Columbus, Ohio, and the Longs Peak Chorus in Denver, which claimed the "Plateau II Champions" title. His leadership of the 52eighty Youth Chorus resulted in a first-place international competition victory in 2014.
As a performer, Jay has earned multiple 4th place international medals singing baritone and bass with the Sound of the Rockies Chorus and secured a district quartet championship with his quartet, Surround Sound. He is an internationally certified Musicality Judge for the Barbershop Harmony Society, traveling extensively to judge contests and festivals around the world.
Jay's academic research explores diverse areas of musical pedagogy, including tuning system perceptions, strategies for helping introverts in music education settings, and the impact of imposter syndrome on musicians. His scholarly contributions are evident through over 100 conference presentations covering topics such as conducting skills, vocal techniques, audition procedures, and ensemble development.
A prolific composer and arranger, Jay has many published works including the Phoenix Cantata (MusicSpoke), Love Casts Out Fear (Melkim Publishing), and Let it Be (Barbershop Harmony Society). His professional versatility is reflected in his roles as a clinician, arranger, judge, coach, presenter, conductor, and adjudicator for festivals, ensembles, honor choirs, conventions, and competitions worldwide.
A proud father of five wonderful daughters, Jay resides in Nixa, Missouri with his bride of more than 20 years, Megan.
Click HERE to get a Tune it or Die shirt!
