Blue Ridge Singers Names Dr. Ryan Keebaugh as New Artistic Director

Blue Ridge Singers has appointed Dr. Ryan E. Keebaugh as its new artistic director and conductor as the nonprofit ensemble prepares to begin its 18th season of choral performances throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

Dr. Ryan E. Keebaugh has been named the new artistic director and conductor of Blue Ridge Singers as the Shenandoah Valley ensemble prepares for its 18th season.

Keebaugh is director of choral music and associate professor of music at Bridgewater College. His work spans conducting, education, composition, workshops, adjudication, and artistic leadership.

The Washington Post has described him as an “energetic, expressive, concise, insightful, and sensitive” conductor.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan to Blue Ridge Singers at such an exciting moment in the ensemble’s history,” said Lynn Jennings, president of the Blue Ridge Singers Board of Directors.

Jennings said Keebaugh brings both musical experience and a strong interest in using choral music to build community.

“As we enter our 18th season, we look forward to building upon our strong musical foundation while reaching new singers, new audiences, and new communities throughout the Shenandoah Valley,” she said.

Keebaugh has worked with singers of all ages, from children and developing choirs to university, community, and professional ensembles. He is also active as a guest conductor, clinician, conference presenter, workshop leader, and adjudicator.

His ensembles have performed at Radio City Music Hall, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Washington National Cathedral, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York University Steinhardt, and the cathedrals of Canterbury and Edinburgh.

“I am honored and excited to join Blue Ridge Singers as artistic director and to build upon the ensemble’s strong tradition of choral excellence in the Shenandoah Valley,” Keebaugh said.

He said he looks forward to meeting the singers and audiences, selecting inspiring music, and creating performances that are meaningful to the communities the ensemble serves.

“There is tremendous potential ahead, and I am excited to begin this next chapter together,” he said.

Keebaugh also works closely with contemporary American composers and has supported the commissioning of new works, interdisciplinary projects, and performances in nontraditional spaces.

He serves on the Virginia Music Educators Association Creativity Council and is co-director of the VMEA Composition Festival. He has also served as president-elect of the College Music Society’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter.

In addition to conducting and teaching, Keebaugh is an accomplished composer whose music has been performed across the United States and in Canada, Puerto Rico, Europe, Japan, Brazil, and Russia.

His works have been commissioned, performed, choreographed, and recorded by groups and artists including the National Cathedral Choir, Megan Flynn Dance Company, Great Noise Ensemble, Musica Harmonia, Ting-Yu Chen, Stephanie Lamprea, R. Andrew Lee, and Megan Ihnen.

Keebaugh’s work has received recognition from the College Music Society, Society of Composers, American Choral Directors Association, ASCAP, the American Prize, Analog Arts, and the Raabe Music Prize. His music is published by MusicSpoke Inc.

He has also taken part in the Tutti Music Festival, Aspen Composers’ Conference, Capital Fringe Festival, Interlochen Summer Music Festival, Wildacres Artist Colony, Factory 449 Theatre Collective, and Composers & Schools in Concert.

Originally from Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, Keebaugh earned his Doctor of Musical Arts from the Catholic University of America, a Master of Music from Shenandoah Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Arts from Bridgewater College.

Also joining the Blue Ridge Singers artistic staff is newly appointed accompanist Rebekah Noonan.

Keebaugh and Noonan will lead the ensemble into its 2026-27 season, beginning with preparations for the Christmas Concert Series, followed by the Spring Concert Series. Concert dates and locations are still being finalized.

Blue Ridge Singers is also inviting new singers to audition. Rehearsals will be held on Sundays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Middletown.

Prospective singers may contact Keebaugh at artisticdirector@blueridgesingers.org for more information or to arrange an audition.

Blue Ridge Singers is a nonprofit choral ensemble serving the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding communities. The organization seeks to enrich the region through high-quality performances, provide meaningful opportunities for singers, and make choral music accessible to area audiences.

More information, including concert announcements and season updates, is available at blueridgesingers.org and on the ensemble’s Facebook page.