Welcome! My name is Braeden Ayres. I’m a composer, conductor, and music educator who believes that music and singing are for all people. As an artist, teacher, and conductor, my mission is to empower people, explore the human experience, and celebrate the human voice as a tool for self-expression. As a composer, my works vary widely in style, with pieces written especially for changing voices, high school choirs, and collegiate, community, and professional ensembles. I currently serve as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, whose mission is “to expand, redefine, and perfect the choral art through eclectic performances that honor and uplift our community and affirm the worth of all people.” I hold a Ph.D. in Choral Music Education (Florida State University), where my doctoral dissertation focused on choral literature and composition for changing male singers. I hold additional degrees from the University of Northern Colorado (MM, Choral Conducting) and Baylor University (BME, Music Education) and am a member of ACDA, NAfME, and ASCAP. I am the composer of over fifty choral compositions, which are published by MusicSpoke, Carl Fischer, Hal Leonard Music, and Augsburg Fortress. In 2021, I was named the winner of the first-ever “Emily Crocker Emerging Composer Competition,” sponsored by the Texas Choral Director’s Association and Hal Leonard Music. Before completing my doctorate, I served on the vocal faculty at Discovery Canyon Campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado, teaching 6-12 grade students with a team of exceptional educators. In my time at DCC, the campus's choral program tripled to over 500 students; over 100 singers were accepted into various Middle School All-State, High School All-State, and ACDA National Honor Choirs; and the Performing Arts Department was a finalist for the “Thomas S. Crawford Team of the Year Award." During this time, I also served as the Assistant Artistic Director of “Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus” and was an inaugural board member of the Colorado Middle School All-State Choir. I'm proud to bring my passion for education into my work as a composer and conductor. I share my home with my husband, Dr. Ryan Aguirre, a fellow music educator, as well as three rescue dogs. I hope you’ll reach out so that I can help you and your choir however I can. -BA