In addition to choral, operatic, chamber, and solo vocal performances at MSU, Isaiah was heavily involved in the a cappella community. He received “Outstanding Arrangement” awards for his work and released an EP “Lifeline” and an album “Legacy” with State of Fifths A Cappella, both receiving national awards and nominations. He also spent time as a guest director for nearby high school a cappella programs, and as a clinician for collegiate and professional groups throughout the Midwest.
While at Harvard, Isaiah performed with Harvard’s Collegium Musicum choir, where he was a soloist in performances ranging from New York City to Stockholm, Sweden, and taught after-school and weekend a cappella classes. Stemming from his study of education policy and election law, Isaiah is also a co-author of the book “Designing Democratic Schools and Learning Environment”. His chapter, “Lift Every Voice: A Case for Democratic Music Education” details his teaching philosophy of innovating in the music classroom and centering student voice.
After leaving Boston, Isaiah has returned to the Lansing area, where he works for the Michigan Department of State. He regularly judges in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) and International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA), and arranges for and coaches local a cappella groups. He also currently performs with Michigan-based professional a cappella groups TBD A Cappella, and Odyssey.
Isaiah lives by the idea that “Music is Storytelling”, and aims to teach empathy in his classrooms by sharing cultural and social connections through song.
