Our directors give us motivation and direction in our singing, as well as teaching and enforcing good singing methods. We are very fortunate to have three very talented men at the helm of our chorus.
Director – Jayson Ryner: Jayson Ryner is director of Choral Activites at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, IA. He holds BA and MM degrees from the University of Northern Iowa where he studied conducting with Dr. Bruce Chamberlain. At NIACC, Jayson directs the NIACC Concert Choir and the NIACC Singers. Also, he teaches Applied Voice, Aural Skills and Sight Singing. Prior to his tenure at NIACC, Jayson taught 7-12 vocal music for seven years in the South Winneshiek and Rudd, Rockford, Marble Rock Community School Districts. He is a certified music category judge and an accomplished arranger of many barbershop pieces for both our chorus and internationally-known quartets. He sings bass with the quartet, Indigo Nights. Jayson resides in Nora Springs, IA with his wife Sarah and his two sons, Jordan and Gavin.
Assistant Director – Paul Krull: Paul has been an enthusiastic member of the River City Chorus since 1986. Paul runs Financial Architects, a consulting business in Northwood, IA. His motto is, “Work for a living, sing to stay alive.” He’s served the chapter as Membership Vice President, Music Vice President, bulletin editor, and was named Barbershopper of the Year (BOTY) in 1996. He’s the chorus’ baritone section leader and has sung baritone with quartets River City Limits, Journeymen, and Indigo Nights. Paul’s wife Cynthia and kids Kayla, John, and Tara are all-star supporters of the chapter and give him the support needed to have so much fun with this hobby.
Assistant Director – Jamie Kelley Jamie is a 2005 graduate of Wartburg College where he obtained his Bachelor’s of Music Education degree with a theatre minor. In 2009, he obtained his Masters of Music degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Northern Iowa. He is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Algona High School. Jamie began his active barbershop career with the River City Chorus as a freshman in college in 2001. Since then he has also sung with the Black Hawk Metro Proud Image Chorus in Waterloo, IA, and he sang lead in the top five district quartet, Night and Day, which competed in the 2007 International Collegiate Contest in Denver, where they finished 14th. He is blessed to be married to his best friend, Heidi, who also teaches in Algona. Jamie and Heidi have a 10-month-old son, Micah.