About
Alan Troy Davis is a conductor, music educator, tenor, and voice teacher with extensive experience in academic, church, and community music settings. He is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Choral Conducting at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln,
with graduation anticipated in 2025.
He also holds a Master of Music (M.M.) in Choral Conducting from California State University, Los Angeles, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Secondary Education (Choral) from Portland State University, and a
Bachelor of Musical Arts (B.M.A.) in Music from Pacific Lutheran University.
While teaching in public high schools across Oregon, Colorado, and California, Davis led his ensembles to earn superior and excellent ratings at music festivals and competitions. In addition to his work in schools, he has conducted various church and community ensembles. As an educator, Davis has been a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor for dozens of high school choral programs across the country.
As a research-informed pedagogue, his research interests include choral intonation, score study and conducting pedagogy, vocal pedagogy within choral rehearsals, Renaissance and Baroque performance practices, and
the exploration of choral repertoire by women composers.
Recently, Davis played a key role as the architect, associate editor, and contributing author of Choral Repertoire by Women Composers, published by GIA Publications, Inc., in March 2025. He has also presented numerous interest sessions at state conferences in California, Iowa, and South Dakota, and co-presented In Her Voice: Spotlighting Female Choral Composers at the 2025 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Conference in Dallas, Texas.
Available for: Guest Conducting, Clinics, Guest Lectures, and Adjudicating.
Please contact me, if interested.
Education
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
D.M.A. in Choral Conducting
2021-2025
At UNL, he studied with Dr. Peter Eklund and Dr. Marques Garrett, and served as Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Glenn Korff School of Music, where his responsibilities included assisting with Advanced Conducting courses, conducting university choral ensembles such as University Singers, University Chorale, Varsity Men's Chorus, and Chamber Singers, and serving as music conductor for the opera productions of Amahl and the Night Visitors (2021, 2022). His doctoral document, The Partsongs of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, explores thirteen choral works by the renowned composer.
California State University, Los Angeles
M.M. in Choral Conducting
2016-2020
At CalStateLA, he studied under Professor Donald Brinegar, Dr. William Belan, and Dr. Christopher Gravis, focusing on choral conducting, pedagogy, and choral intonation. His thesis, Score Study: The Essentials for Informed Conducting Gestures, reflects his deep engagement with these areas. He also conducted works by notable composers including Francis Poulenc, Felix Mendelssohn, W.A. Mozart, Frank Martin, and Henk Badings.
Portland State University
M.Ed. in Secondary Education
2013-2015
At PSU, Davis' thesis, Choral Acoustics: Perceptions of High School Singers for Hearing & Vocal Health, examined how high school singers perceived acoustics and its impact on their hearing and vocal health. He completed a full year of student teaching at the high school level and focused his studies on curriculum design and choral pedagogy, further enhancing his expertise in teaching and conducting.
Pacific Lutheran University
Bachelor of Musical Arts
2009-2013
At PLU, he completed the choral music education curriculum, served as assistant conductor for the Chapel Choir, studied composition, and conducted the annual New Music (Composition) Concerts in the Spring Semesters 2012 & 2013. His capstone project, Twenty-First Century Lutheran Collegiate Choirs and Their Identities: From Martin Luther’s Philosophies to the Conductor’s Podium, explored the intersection of Lutheran philosophy and choral identity.