Conductor, voice teacher, and Bass-baritone J. Scott Kovacs is an established presence in the Pacific Northwest choral community. Scott’s unique combination of choral conducting, vocal instruction, executive leadership, and non-profit development have played a significant role in strengthening the choral community in the Seattle area. Some of Scott’s local roles and contributions include running a thriving studio of lifelong voice students, using voice science and pedagogy to teach voice habilitation, artistry and technique to a wide range of experiences, from beginners to professional singers, serving as Artistic Director of Ancora Women’s Choir, as Executive Director of the Medieval Women’s Choir, and is the Lay Chaplain and singing member of St. Mark’s Compline Choir. He is also a founder and former Executive Director of the Emerald Ensemble, which expanded its mission in 2020 to include the Emerald Choral Academy presenting online courses to amateur singers to help increase their knowledge of the choral craft. Scott has also served on the faculty of Midsummer Musical Retreat and is currently pursuing a Masters in Vocal Pedagogy (MA) through the Voice Study Centre at the University of Wales School of Applied Professional Practice and Research.

Scott’s choral career spans decades and continents and includes working with some of North America’s premiere choral institutions, including the Phoenix Chorale, Kansas City Chorale, and the Vancouver Chamber Choir. His voice has contributed to more than three dozen compact discs and recording projects ranging from chant to video games. Among the experiences he holds most dear is teaching hundreds of junior high school students during his early years as a choral music educator in Mesa, Arizona. As a lifelong teacher and pedagogist, Scott encourages everyone to seek out choral music as a way to enrich the mind, body, and spirit.