Brian J. Winnie, D.M.A.

Brian J. Winnie, D.M.A., is widely recognized for his contributions to 21st-century choral pedagogy, distinguished by over two decades of work bridging the gap between voice science and evidence-based choral rehearsal practices. He is currently the Director of Choral Studies at Western Illinois University where he supervises the graduate choral conducting program, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral conducting and choral literature, and conducts the Chamber Singers, Treble Choir, and the "flagship" ensemble, the University Singers. 

Dr. Winnie is also the artistic director and founder of withonevoice, a professional, non-profit vocal ensemble of 16 singers based in Chicago, Illinois with special focus on singing and commissioning diverse repertoire and vocal qualities. He previously served as the Director of Choral Activities & Voice and was chair of the music department at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. Prior to his tenure in higher education, he was the Artistic Director of ChoralSounds NW, a community choir based in Burien, WA, and taught for seven years in public education at both the middle and high school levels. 

Dr. Winnie is an internationally recognized guest conductor and lecturer who has led over 100 international and national presentations in the UK, Russia, Portugal, Austria, and Canada. His conducting credits include a residency in Russia and numerous All-State and regional choirs throughout the United States in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, Kansas, Oregon, and Alaska. As a leading voice in choral innovation, he is frequently invited to present his specialized research on Estill Voice Training and evidence-based pedagogy, helping conductors rethink the traditional warm-up and the choral rehearsal for the 21st century. 

In addition to his work as a conductor, Dr. Winnie has contributed peer-reviewed and invited research to the Voice and Speech Review, Choral Journal, International Choral Bulletin, and ChorTeach. His leadership in the field is further evidenced by his role as editor and contributing author of two major volumes: The Choral Conductor's Companion and The Voice Teacher's Cookbook (Meredith Music/GIA Publications).

Ensembles under Dr. Winnie’s direction have established a consistent record of excellence, distinguished by performances and accolades at international, regional, and state conferences and competitions. Most recently, Dr. Winnie's professional ensemble, withonevoice, was selected to perform at the 12th Estill World Voice Symposium International Conference; and the Western Illinois University Singers were invited to perform at the 2024 Midwestern ACDA Conference, won the 2021 American Prize in the Performance of American Music (University/College division), and placed first at the 2021 International Choral Festival Wales. They also won gold medals at the 2020 Rimini International Choral Competition (Italy) and the Harmony of Cultures International Competition (France). 

Dr. Winnie is also an award-winning conductor having been the recipient of the 2022 WIU College of Fine Arts and Communication "Excellence in Scholarly and Professional Activities" award. He was also the second-place winner of the 2020 national American Prize in Choral Conducting (Schools Division), received the "Exemplary Teacher Award" at Southwestern College, and the "Outstanding Young Conductor Award" presented by the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

Dr. Winnie currently serves on the Editorial Board for the Voice and Speech Review, is the President of the Estill Voice International Certification Advisory Board, and serves on the National Collegiate Choral Organization board. His past positions have included the College/University Repertoire and Resources chair for Illinois-ACDA, Secretary for the Central New Jersey Music Education Association and Middle School/Jr. High Repertoire and Standards Chair for ACDA-PA. He is an active member of the ACDA, NATS, NCCO, and NAfME.

A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Winnie received his B.S. in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University, Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. Additionally, he is a certified Estill Master Trainer and Estill Mentor & Course Instructor with Testing Privileges in Estill Voice Training. His research interests involve the integration of gesture and voice training in the choral rehearsal and the development of a 21st-century choral pedagogy encompassing all styles of music.