Dr. Jake Taylor
Artistic Director
Dr. Jake Taylor’s work as a choral conductor and music educator spans a wide variety of settings, including positions with academic, community, and professional choirs. Alongside his new appointment as the Artistic Director of International Voices Houston, Dr. Taylor serves as a choral music educator in Katy ISD. Previous positions have included Director of Choral Activities at Appalachian State University, Director of Choral Studies at New Mexico State University, and conductor of The Matador Singers at Texas Tech University. In addition to his work in education, he has served in numerous sacred music settings, including Director of Worship at Perritte Memorial Methodist in Nacogdoches, Texas, Peace Lutheran in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and First Baptist Church in Marion, North Carolina.
In 2014, he co-founded The Houston Men’s Choir, a collaborative ensemble of tenor-bass singers that rehearses and performs without a traditional conductor and is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to the art of singing and its positive impact through performance and education. While no longer directly affiliated with the ensemble, he is immensely proud of its continued impact on the choral arts in Houston since its inception.
Dr. Taylor earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts in choral conducting from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in choral conducting, and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Stephen F. Austin State University. He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician and has given numerous presentations on score study, conducting gesture, rehearsal techniques, and music literacy in the secondary choral classroom.
Paul Butt
Accompanist
Paul was born in Alaska, grew up in Oregon, and now lives in Houston. He began studying music seriously when he was awarded lessons from the American Guild of Organists in High School.
Paul attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and graduated with a degree in piano performance. He moved to Houston to attend Rice University and graduated with a Master’s degree in organ performance.
Paul has played for choirs on tour in Ireland, France, Austria, and most enjoyed playing for choral events at St. Patrick’s, Dublin, and Notre Dame and La Madeleine, Paris. He has been a musician for Lutheran, Methodist, Christian Science, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and Episcopal churches.
Paul is presently organist at First Methodist Houston. He has been accompanying International Voices Houston since 2007.
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