Presidency
Current Officers
Former Leaders
Jourdan Hale
President
Jourdan Hale is originally from Vancouver, Washington, and presently serves as the Club President. Previously, he served as Administrative Assistant and VP of Finance. He is in the Masters of Accountancy program and anticipates graduating April 2023. Jourdan first began singing a cappella music his sophomore year of high school, and has been singing with a group ever since! He joined BYU Familiar Ring in Fall 2018, and currently serves as their Electronic and Financial Assets Manager.
Jourdan Hale is originally from Vancouver, Washington, and presently serves as the Club President. Previously, he served as Administrative Assistant and VP of Finance. He is in the Masters of Accountancy program and anticipates graduating April 2023. Jourdan first began singing a cappella music his sophomore year of high school, and has been singing with a group ever since! He joined BYU Familiar Ring in Fall 2018, and currently serves as their Electronic and Financial Assets Manager.
Tyson Richards
VP of Communications
Tyson Richards is a Sophomore from Louisville, Kentucky studying manufacturing engineering. A cappella and singing runs in his families blood. His parents met during a musical play at BYU over 25 years ago and his Dad performed in an a cappella group back in the day as well (no it wasn’t vocal point). They would reminisce and show Tyson old recordings of their performances and songs and Tyson knew he would eventually be a part of a cappella at BYU.
Tyson is the VP of Communications as well as the current president of Duly Noted. After joining last year and attending the first care week concert he decided he wanted to be a part of the leadership that made the club what it is. He learned how to beatbox, arrange music, and work with the other groups to collaborate on bigger projects. He is excited for this upcoming year and to see what the BYU A Cappella club can accomplish!
Tyson Richards is a Sophomore from Louisville, Kentucky studying manufacturing engineering. A cappella and singing runs in his families blood. His parents met during a musical play at BYU over 25 years ago and his Dad performed in an a cappella group back in the day as well (no it wasn’t vocal point). They would reminisce and show Tyson old recordings of their performances and songs and Tyson knew he would eventually be a part of a cappella at BYU.
Tyson is the VP of Communications as well as the current president of Duly Noted. After joining last year and attending the first care week concert he decided he wanted to be a part of the leadership that made the club what it is. He learned how to beatbox, arrange music, and work with the other groups to collaborate on bigger projects. He is excited for this upcoming year and to see what the BYU A Cappella club can accomplish!
Jacob Phillips
VP of Events
Jacob Phillips is from Sunnyvale, Texas. He has been singing since before he can remember. Between choir, band, and musicals, music has been his constant comfort in a world full of craziness. He is currently a junior in the Marriott School of Business and aspires to become a marketing genius. He has been a member of BYU Dynamite since January 2022 and looks forward to helping the BYU A Cappella Club become the best club on campus!
Jacob Phillips is from Sunnyvale, Texas. He has been singing since before he can remember. Between choir, band, and musicals, music has been his constant comfort in a world full of craziness. He is currently a junior in the Marriott School of Business and aspires to become a marketing genius. He has been a member of BYU Dynamite since January 2022 and looks forward to helping the BYU A Cappella Club become the best club on campus!
Kayla Perry
VP of Finance
Kayla is from Fruita, Colorado. She is studying general music education at BYU. She is the current A Cappella VP of Finance and President of Resonance. She enjoys traveling, cooking, singing in the BYU women's chorus, and spending time with her husband, Matt.
Kayla is from Fruita, Colorado. She is studying general music education at BYU. She is the current A Cappella VP of Finance and President of Resonance. She enjoys traveling, cooking, singing in the BYU women's chorus, and spending time with her husband, Matt.
Emma Larson
VP of Talent Development
Emma is from Eagle, Idaho and has loved singing from an early age. She is currently studying Experience Design and Management. In regards to music, she has participated in choirs, musical theatre, and a cappella groups growing up and absolutely loves it. You can usually find her eating popcorn, spending time with friends, or dancing like no one is watching. She is excited to be joining the A cappella Club Presidency as the VP of Talent Development and director of Audacity.
Emma is from Eagle, Idaho and has loved singing from an early age. She is currently studying Experience Design and Management. In regards to music, she has participated in choirs, musical theatre, and a cappella groups growing up and absolutely loves it. You can usually find her eating popcorn, spending time with friends, or dancing like no one is watching. She is excited to be joining the A cappella Club Presidency as the VP of Talent Development and director of Audacity.
Evan Bird
VP of Social Media
Evan Bird grew up listening to A Cappella music. His dad has been a self-proclaimed “A Cappella junkie” since college and always had a Rockapella, Inside Out, Voice Male, or Eclipse 6 CD playing in the car. Evan’s love for A Cappella music only grew as he watched the Sing-Off with his family, always especially excited when BYU students or alumni performed. After learning about the A Cappella club at BYU, he knew that he had found his people and has enjoyed being a part of the A Cappella community here.
Evan is currently studying Mechanical engineering here at BYU and can be seen managing the A Cappella club’s social media profiles and singing bass with Amplifyre.
Evan Bird grew up listening to A Cappella music. His dad has been a self-proclaimed “A Cappella junkie” since college and always had a Rockapella, Inside Out, Voice Male, or Eclipse 6 CD playing in the car. Evan’s love for A Cappella music only grew as he watched the Sing-Off with his family, always especially excited when BYU students or alumni performed. After learning about the A Cappella club at BYU, he knew that he had found his people and has enjoyed being a part of the A Cappella community here.
Evan is currently studying Mechanical engineering here at BYU and can be seen managing the A Cappella club’s social media profiles and singing bass with Amplifyre.
John Colton
Faculty Advisor
John is a professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at BYU and has been a "super fan" of contemporary a cappella music since his graduate school days at U.C. Berkeley where he discovered the California Golden Overtones and the UC Men's Octet student a cappella groups. Looking to give back to the a cappella community, he started writing a cappella reviews for RARB.org in 2008. He joined CASA.org soon thereafter, and has helped out several times with the Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) and A Cappella Video Awards (AVAs). He's been the BYU A Cappella Club advisor since 2012.
He's also a singer in and on the board of directors of the Utah Baroque Ensemble, a local choral group, and is the choir director for his local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John is married (wife: Pauline) with two children, and besides music, physics, and family, he likes to spend his time cycling, playing table tennis, and cheering for the Utah Jazz.
John is a professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at BYU and has been a "super fan" of contemporary a cappella music since his graduate school days at U.C. Berkeley where he discovered the California Golden Overtones and the UC Men's Octet student a cappella groups. Looking to give back to the a cappella community, he started writing a cappella reviews for RARB.org in 2008. He joined CASA.org soon thereafter, and has helped out several times with the Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) and A Cappella Video Awards (AVAs). He's been the BYU A Cappella Club advisor since 2012.
He's also a singer in and on the board of directors of the Utah Baroque Ensemble, a local choral group, and is the choir director for his local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John is married (wife: Pauline) with two children, and besides music, physics, and family, he likes to spend his time cycling, playing table tennis, and cheering for the Utah Jazz.
President
Timothy Ballard
Fall 2020 - Winter 2022
Timothy Ballard is a Senior from Houston Texas. Currently majoring in Molecular Biology with a minor in Psychology, he is also the President of the a cappella club. Timothy was introduced to the club three years ago when he stumbled upon auditions during his freshman year. After being invited to Audacity by the previous director of the group, he fell in love with a cappella and sang with Audacity until this year. He then accepted the position of VP of Talent Development in the Fall Semester of 2018. In the winter semester of 2020 he joined Riff Dish, which he continues to be a part of as a tenor.
Timothy Ballard is a Senior from Houston Texas. Currently majoring in Molecular Biology with a minor in Psychology, he is also the President of the a cappella club. Timothy was introduced to the club three years ago when he stumbled upon auditions during his freshman year. After being invited to Audacity by the previous director of the group, he fell in love with a cappella and sang with Audacity until this year. He then accepted the position of VP of Talent Development in the Fall Semester of 2018. In the winter semester of 2020 he joined Riff Dish, which he continues to be a part of as a tenor.
Bryan Samuelsen
Fall 2018 - Winter 2020
Bryan Samuelsen (‘20) joined the A Cappella Club largely by mistake. He attended a Club-sponsored workshop and ran into then-President Matt Winn, whose group, Familiar Ring, needed a bass within the week to audition for the Jam. Matt invited him to join his group, which Bryan immediately accepted.
After a year in Familiar Ring, Bryan served a mission to Seattle, Washington. Upon his return, he joined A Lotta Fermata. After one semester, the became director of A Lotta Fermata and joined the Presidency as VP of Advertising.
The following semester, Bryan was elected President and served from Fall 2018 to Winter 2020, singing with A Lotta Fermata the whole time. He graduated with a degree in Marketing and married his VP of Communications, Tessa Ostvig.
Bryan Samuelsen (‘20) joined the A Cappella Club largely by mistake. He attended a Club-sponsored workshop and ran into then-President Matt Winn, whose group, Familiar Ring, needed a bass within the week to audition for the Jam. Matt invited him to join his group, which Bryan immediately accepted.
After a year in Familiar Ring, Bryan served a mission to Seattle, Washington. Upon his return, he joined A Lotta Fermata. After one semester, the became director of A Lotta Fermata and joined the Presidency as VP of Advertising.
The following semester, Bryan was elected President and served from Fall 2018 to Winter 2020, singing with A Lotta Fermata the whole time. He graduated with a degree in Marketing and married his VP of Communications, Tessa Ostvig.
Megan Murphy
Fall 2017 - Winter 2018
Shalae Ryder Bird
Fall 2016 - Winter 2017
Korrin Dvorak Reese
Fall 2015 - Winter 2016
Matt Winn
Fall 2014 - Winter 2015
Kyle Nelson
Winter 2013 - Winter 2014
Kevin Stevens
Fall 2011 - Fall 2012
Grant Zabriskie
Fall 2010 - Winter 2011
Rick Kesler
Fall 2008 - Winter 2010
Heather Hogue
Fall 2006 - Winter 2008
Dovy Paukstys
Fall 2005 - Fall 2006
Leanna Pink
Winter 2005
Jacob Goldman
Fall 2004
Suzanne Hanson
Fall 2003 - Winter 2004
Rachel (R'el) Johnston
Fall 2001 - Winter 2003
Leanna Allen
Fall 2000 - Winter 2001
Paul Hatch
Fall 1999 - Winter 2000
Kent Minson
Fall 1996 - Winter 1999
Glen Sawyer
Fall 1995 - Winter 1996
Mary Jane Jones
Fall 1994 - Winter 1995
Brett Rasmussen
Fall 1993 - Winter 1994
Bob Ahlander
Fall 1992 - Winter 1993
VP of Communications/Advertising
Emily Colton
Fall 2020 - Winter 2022
Tessa Samuelsen
- Winter 2020
Tessa Ostvig, now Samuelsen, is a senior studying Public Relations. She is from a small town called Long Lake, Minnesota, and has loved singing her entire life. She started singing with the spunky all-female group, Attention, in the Fall of 2016, and has since become its director. As Vice President of Communications, she manages the Club’s social media and designing advertisements for auditions and events. She met her husband (Bryan) when he joined the A Cappella Club Presidency and she loves watching him sing bass. Her favorite thing about a cappella and singing together is the confidence and joy that it brings people.
Tessa Ostvig, now Samuelsen, is a senior studying Public Relations. She is from a small town called Long Lake, Minnesota, and has loved singing her entire life. She started singing with the spunky all-female group, Attention, in the Fall of 2016, and has since become its director. As Vice President of Communications, she manages the Club’s social media and designing advertisements for auditions and events. She met her husband (Bryan) when he joined the A Cappella Club Presidency and she loves watching him sing bass. Her favorite thing about a cappella and singing together is the confidence and joy that it brings people.
Stephen Christiansen
Fall 2015?
Loriana Goulding
2015?
VP of Events
Lucas Van De Graaff
Fall 2019 - Winter 2022
Lucas Van De Graaff is from Salt Lake City, and is a sophomore majoring in China Studies with a Japanese and Global Business minor. He’s the Vice President of Events, which entails being in charge of all the concerts, the club socials, and all other Club events. He never sang in choirs or groups until Fall of 2018 when he joined Audacity on a whim and discovered he loved both singing and a cappella! It’s been one of the highlights of his college experience. A cappella is the best!
Lucas Van De Graaff is from Salt Lake City, and is a sophomore majoring in China Studies with a Japanese and Global Business minor. He’s the Vice President of Events, which entails being in charge of all the concerts, the club socials, and all other Club events. He never sang in choirs or groups until Fall of 2018 when he joined Audacity on a whim and discovered he loved both singing and a cappella! It’s been one of the highlights of his college experience. A cappella is the best!
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VP of External Relations
Kate Whalen
VP of External Relations
Ruth Bryson
- Winter 2021
Ruth Bryson is a senior studying Psychology with a minor in Music. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, she enjoys camping in the Utah mountains, painting with her husband, and directing and singing with an on-campus a cappella group called Duly Noted which she joined in Winter of 2018. Ruth has recently become a member of the club Presidency; as Vice President of External Relations, she manages events and relationships with organizations outside of the BYU A Cappella Club.
Ruth loves music and hopes that she can help those involved all over campus recognize the positive impact that both music and the A Cappella Club can have on their college experience.
Ruth Bryson is a senior studying Psychology with a minor in Music. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, she enjoys camping in the Utah mountains, painting with her husband, and directing and singing with an on-campus a cappella group called Duly Noted which she joined in Winter of 2018. Ruth has recently become a member of the club Presidency; as Vice President of External Relations, she manages events and relationships with organizations outside of the BYU A Cappella Club.
Ruth loves music and hopes that she can help those involved all over campus recognize the positive impact that both music and the A Cappella Club can have on their college experience.
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VP of Finance
Jourdan Hale
Winter 2019 - Winter 2022
Jourdan Hale is originally from Vancouver, Washington, and presently serves as the Club President. Previously, he served as Administrative Assistant and VP of Finance. He is in the Masters of Accountancy program and anticipates graduating April 2023. Jourdan first began singing a cappella music his sophomore year of high school, and has been singing with a group ever since! He joined BYU Familiar Ring in Fall 2018, and currently serves as their Electronic and Financial Assets Manager.
Jourdan Hale is originally from Vancouver, Washington, and presently serves as the Club President. Previously, he served as Administrative Assistant and VP of Finance. He is in the Masters of Accountancy program and anticipates graduating April 2023. Jourdan first began singing a cappella music his sophomore year of high school, and has been singing with a group ever since! He joined BYU Familiar Ring in Fall 2018, and currently serves as their Electronic and Financial Assets Manager.
Cody Bahr
? - Fall 2019
Allison Morin
Fall 2015?
VP of Media Production
Talmage Sanders
VP of Media Production
Talmage Sanders comes from the far distant land of Orem, Utah. He’s a sophomore studying music education with the hopes of directing high school and college a cappella. He is also the Vice President of Music Production, which means he coordinates a lot of the tech aspects of the a cappella club, including videos and music production. Talmage fell in love with a cappella after being dragged to a Vocal Point/Pentatonix concert. He has consequently been involved with 8 different groups over the past 7 years. Through it all, he has developed some very strong relationships and bonds with some amazing people, and wouldn’t change a thing.
Talmage Sanders comes from the far distant land of Orem, Utah. He’s a sophomore studying music education with the hopes of directing high school and college a cappella. He is also the Vice President of Music Production, which means he coordinates a lot of the tech aspects of the a cappella club, including videos and music production. Talmage fell in love with a cappella after being dragged to a Vocal Point/Pentatonix concert. He has consequently been involved with 8 different groups over the past 7 years. Through it all, he has developed some very strong relationships and bonds with some amazing people, and wouldn’t change a thing.
Shalae Ryder Bird
Fall 2015?
VP of Talent Development/Audacity
Bryan Gittins
VP of Talent Development
Bryan is a Senior studying Choral Music Education with a business emphasis. When it comes to choir, he means business. He is our current director of Audacity and has participated in BYU Acapella since his freshman year.
He has a Great Dane named Tiana and she LOVES making new friends. Bryan, if you can believe it, has even more lovable dog energy. He's a friend to all and would give you the shirt off his own back.
Bryan is a Senior studying Choral Music Education with a business emphasis. When it comes to choir, he means business. He is our current director of Audacity and has participated in BYU Acapella since his freshman year.
He has a Great Dane named Tiana and she LOVES making new friends. Bryan, if you can believe it, has even more lovable dog energy. He's a friend to all and would give you the shirt off his own back.
Jacob Watabe
Fall 2020 - Winter 2022
Jacob is our VP of Talent Development. He joined the club in 2018 with Audacity and founded Secret Chord in the fall of 2019. He’s a mechanical engineering student from Ohio and hopes to one day be an Imagineer! He was a band kid in High School and even marched in the BYU Cougar Marching band before he joined the club, but he’s since fallen in love with a cappella singing and loves writing arrangements for his groups. Come join him on Tuesday nights with Audacity!
Jacob is our VP of Talent Development. He joined the club in 2018 with Audacity and founded Secret Chord in the fall of 2019. He’s a mechanical engineering student from Ohio and hopes to one day be an Imagineer! He was a band kid in High School and even marched in the BYU Cougar Marching band before he joined the club, but he’s since fallen in love with a cappella singing and loves writing arrangements for his groups. Come join him on Tuesday nights with Audacity!
Tim Ballard
- Winter 2020
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Alex Winder
Fall 2015?
Nick Totten
2015?
Administrative Assistant
Emily Gittins
Administrative Assistant
Emily is a Senior studying Family and Consumer Sciences Education. She is from Katy, Texas. She is married to Bryan, VP of Talent Development, and can attest to his lovable dog energy.
Pentatonix introduced Emily to A cappella a few years before college and she has loved the genre ever since. Emily has was in Audacity for 2 years starting her freshman year. She is now in Fermata Thin Air as one of their Sopranos.
Emily is a Senior studying Family and Consumer Sciences Education. She is from Katy, Texas. She is married to Bryan, VP of Talent Development, and can attest to his lovable dog energy.
Pentatonix introduced Emily to A cappella a few years before college and she has loved the genre ever since. Emily has was in Audacity for 2 years starting her freshman year. She is now in Fermata Thin Air as one of their Sopranos.
Jacob Watabe
Winter 2020
Jourdan Hale
Fall 2019
Faculty Advisor
Greg Baird
Fall 2008 - Winter 2012
Glen Sawyer
Fall 2005 - Winter 2008
Neil Harrington
Fall 2003 - Winter 2005
Julie Ahlander
Fall 2000 - Winter 2003
Paul Baltes
Fall 1994 - Winter 2000
Ted Lyon
Fall 1992 - Winter 1994