Meet Dr. Ryan Board the perfect man for the job.
Board grew up in Boise Idaho in a home filled with music. His father is a pianist and drummer and still plays in a band with his college buddies. His mother sings and graduated with a music education degree. Board and his two older brothers took piano lessons and he began singing in his church choir at the age of three.
In fact this choir traveled to Pepperdine to perform on campus. Later in his life when he saw the job opening he applied and was hired. Beginning this year he embarked on a journey as Pepperdine’s director of Choral Activities.
So far Board enjoys his job and his students love him. He has brought a whole new dynamic to the choir.
“He is a young fun guy. He wears plaid shirts and jeans thin belts and argyle socks said junior Krystin Skidmore, vocal performance major who sings in his concert choir. The environment of the choir is more of a peer group. There is a strong feeling of mutual respect.
Senior Zach Garrett agrees.
He is very likeable very relatable said Garrett, a music minor. I think people would say this across the board.” Many of the music students can be found hanging out in the hallway of the music building at any time.
Board’s background plays a significant role not only in shaping him for his career but also by changing his life. He received his bachelor’s in music education from University of Northern Colorado and his master’s in music from Westminster Choir College and his doctorate in musical arts from Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
As an undergraduate student Board was an associate music director for the World Vision Youth Ambassador Program. He traveled for five summers three months each with 50 singers from different countries. They visited 18 countries in Europe Asia and the Americas.
This experience influenced him in three ways. Musically it expanded his horizons giving him a whole new perspective on what music is. Board also acquired much experience since he was conducting the choir and working with musicians. The final way this experience impacted Board was that it transformed him as a person.
“It shatters and rebuilds a person’s paradigms said Board.
Board’s previous experiences not only affect him, they also benefit the choir. Because of Board, the choir has been exposed to new regions of the country, says Skidmore. He has brought new perspectives on vocal technique and applying the lessons as well.
He has a very unique approach. He clues you in to the directional process and tells you his intent which is nice said Garrett.
Board says Christianity and performance have a natural connection. He does not have to try to find ways to relate his subject to the faith base of the university. The history of most Western music is tied to Christian tradition, as the earliest music is from the Catholic church.
The history of Western music shows us that the church has long understood music’s potential to inspire and edify humanity said Board. Many church leaders understood music to be a gift from God for the purpose of drawing us closer to Him.”
He believes that fully examining the context and history of the music benefits the students.
“The inner workings of a piece of music its theoretical and historical context and its potential to move human emotion are all fascinating aspects of music says Board. We can sojourn deeply into this world and ultimately help teach students to tap into this powerful inspiration for their own performance and teaching endeavors.”
Skidmore says the class reflects this belief.
“The class thinks about how to express a piece before it is sung said Skidmore. The songs are often prayers.”
Board believes people were created for community. He believes music reflects these relationships and connections because it is a form of communication and expression.
“This communication can be from one person to another between a person and God or between all of humanity and God says Board. Because of music’s profound depth and intensity the level of vulnerability and intimacy that can be achieved through this communicative experience is like none other and I think our society is in dire need of this kind of relationship with God and each other.”
Board and his wife Ida Nicolosi work alongside each other here at Pepperdine as a perfect duet. She is an adjunct music professor.
“The couple has brought in new fresh blood said Skidmore.
The love between the two sparked while he was pursuing his master’s at Westminster Choir College in Princeton. Nicolosi has her bachelor’s in music education, a master’s in vocal performance and pedagogy, and a post master’s performance certificate in voice. She teaches Materials, Techniques, and Skills in Music, a course designed to teach prospective elementary school teachers how to incorporate music into the classroom setting. She also teaches Introduction to Music, a class available to music minors and non-majors that discusses music basics, history and listening skills. She teaches private voice to Pepperdine students as well. She also continues to perform fairly regularly, singing all kinds of classical music.
Board teaches Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Music History and Secondary Music Methods. His vision for the choral program is to find balance between the involvement of many people and serving the exceptionally talented music students. He explains that the program serves two purposes, and finding a way to nourish both is the key.
It is a joy and privilege to engage in making music with Pepperdine students every day says Board. I really appreciate the opportunity to explore the world of music with students of high musical aptitude and there are many at Pepperdine.”
The choir’s Christmas concert is scheduled for Dec. 9. Tickets can be purchased on the Center for the Arts website for $10.