My mission
I believe music has the power to bring people together in ways few other things can. Whether in the classroom, the rehearsal hall, the church sanctuary, or the concert stage, my goal is to create meaningful musical experiences that inspire connection, foster community, and enrich the lives of those involved.
Growing up in the small mountain town of Barbourville, Kentucky, I learned early on that music is more than performance. It is a way of telling stories, preserving traditions, and bringing people together. Those experiences continue to shape my work as a conductor, educator, and musician. I am drawn to repertoire that speaks to the human experience, celebrates beauty, and invites both performers and audiences into deeper reflection and understanding.
As an educator, I strive to help students develop not only their musical abilities but also their confidence, curiosity, and love of learning. I believe every singer has something valuable to contribute, and I am passionate about creating environments where musicians feel challenged, supported, and empowered to grow. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have come from watching students discover their own artistic voice and realize the impact they can have through music.
As a conductor, I view rehearsals as opportunities to build community and cultivate excellence through collaboration. While I value strong musicianship and artistic achievement, I am equally committed to creating meaningful experiences that connect people to one another and to the music they perform. My programming often reflects themes of faith, hope, love, resilience, and the shared experiences that unite us as human beings.
Throughout my career, I have been grateful for opportunities to serve collegiate, church, school, and community ensembles across Kentucky. These experiences have reinforced my belief that great music making is ultimately about people. At its best, choral singing creates spaces where individuals can belong, grow, and encounter something greater than themselves.
It is a privilege to share in that work each day, and I remain committed to helping singers and audiences discover the beauty, meaning, and connection that music can bring to our lives.
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Isaac Brooks is a conductor, soloist, and music educator from the small mountain town of Barbourville, Kentucky—a place whose deep musical heritage continues to shape his work and passion. He currently serves as Lecturer in Choral Music at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he teaches, mentors, and conducts with a commitment to forming thoughtful, expressive young musicians. Isaac also serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Madison Singers in Richmond, Kentucky, and as Assistant Conductor and Children’s Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, where he finds great joy in nurturing choral artistry across generations. He has previously served as conductor of the Licking Valley Singers, a community ensemble dedicated to artistic excellence and regional engagement.
Isaac earned both the Master of Music in Choral Conducting and the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from Eastern Kentucky University. His conducting studies were shaped by the mentorship of Richard Waters and Ho-Yin Kwok, whose influence fostered a disciplined, expressive, and singer-centered approach to ensemble leadership. As a vocalist and pedagogue, Isaac studied voice with Joyce Hall Wolf, developing a strong foundation in healthy vocal production and musical communication that continues to inform his work on the podium and in the classroom.
While Isaac’s academic training is rooted primarily in classical music, his musical life extends well beyond it. He is also an active bluegrass musician, having toured regionally and internationally with the renowned Eastern Kentucky University Bluegrass Ensemble. He credits his bluegrass mentor, Pam Perry—a Grammy-nominated artist—with shaping his understanding of authenticity, storytelling, and the communal nature of music-making. This breadth of experience—from concert halls to porches, festivals, churches, and community spaces—deeply informs the warmth and sincerity of his artistic voice.
In addition to his conducting and teaching appointments, Isaac is an active clinician and guest conductor. His recent work includes serving as clinician for the Southern Kentucky Music Association’s All-Festival Honor Choir, where he worked with young singers and directors to foster musical excellence, collaboration, and expressive performance. He regularly enjoys engaging with students and educators through honor choirs, workshops, and clinics.
Isaac is a member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA), and he remains actively engaged in the broader professional choral community.
Isaac currently lives in Richmond, Kentucky, with his wife, Madelynne, whose support brings joy and grounding to every aspect of his life and work. Together, they love building community, making music, and celebrating the beauty and culture of their Appalachian home.
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Isaac Brooks is a conductor, soloist, and music educator from Barbourville, Kentucky. He serves as Lecturer in Choral Music at Asbury University, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Madison Singers, and Assistant Conductor and Children’s Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Kentucky. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Isaac holds degrees in choral conducting and vocal performance and has studied with mentors including Richard Waters, Ho-Yin Kwok, and Joyce Hall Wolf. An active clinician and guest conductor, his recent work includes conducting the Southern Kentucky Music Association All-Festival Honor Choir. Isaac is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Kentucky Music Educators Association.