Ryan Billington
Ryan Billington is a versatile vocalist, arranger and conductor. Since 2004 he has taught private voice, choral and vocal jazz ensembles, and classes in the music department at St. Francis Xavier University. In 2011, his student vocal ensemble EXTRA from StFX was featured nationally on CBC Radio 2’s Choral Concert with host Peter Togni.
Prior to his appointment at StFX, he toured with Toronto-based Nathaniel Dett Chorale. His undergraduate and graduate studies included recording and touring North America and Europe with renowned educators Phil Mattson and Steve Zegree, and private study with Sunny Wilkinson and Diana Spradling. His main areas of interest are jazz/pop vocal performance, vocal pedagogy, choral ensemble direction, and arranging for vocal ensembles. In 2017, Ryan wrote music for plays by American playwright Sarah Ruhl: Eurydice (Theatre Antigonish) and Stage Kiss (Festival Antigonish). He has been serving as artistic director and conductor for the Cape Breton Chorale since May of 2017 and directs the Antigonish Choral Ensemble.
Education
M. Mus., Western Michigan University, USA
