Shaping young voices: UW-Oshkosh alumnus Ryan Lindley earns top state honor

As a UW-Oshkosh student, Ryan Lindley performs in Musica Viva! during a presentation of Stephen Foster's Hard Times Come Again No More on April 9, 2016. Nearly a decade later, the 2018 graduate has been named the 2026 Outstanding Young Choral Director by the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association.

Ryan Lindley admits he arrived at UW-Oshkosh with a little too much confidence.

"I probably had the mindset of, 'You can't teach me. I know everything,'" said Lindley, who graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 2018 with a degree in music education, though he originally planned to pursue a career as a vocal performer.

It didn't take long for that attitude to be tested. During an early piano performance assessment, Lindley chose an intentionally easy piece, assuming the assignment didn't require much effort. As a voice student, he didn't initially see the value in piano.

"I thought, 'This doesn't really matter to me,'" Lindley said. "So I picked something easy."

His professor, Kirstin Ihde, saw right through it.

"She looked at me and said, 'You're better than this,'" Lindley recalled.

The moment was humbling and unforgettable.

"I recognized right away that Ryan had a lot of potential," said Ihde, an associate professor of piano at UWO. "I was glad to see him recognize that in himself and invest time and energy into his education. I know he now brings that same commitment to his students and is inspiring the next generation of musicians every day."

Nearly a decade later, the UW-Oshkosh alumnus has been named the 2026 Outstanding Young Choral Director by the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association, a statewide honor recognizing exceptional music educators within their first decade of teaching.

Today, Lindley directs choir for fourth- through eighth-grade students at Perry Tipler Middle School and ALPs in Oshkosh, helping young singers grow not only as musicians but as people.

"The thing that excites me most isn't about music," he said. "It's about them becoming the best version of themselves they can be and realizing that they have worth."

Discovering a passion for teaching

Lindley did not originally set out to become a music teacher. Growing up in Brodhead, a small Wisconsin town where music programs were an important part of school life, he initially envisioned a career in music performance. But while attending UW-Rock County, Lindley enrolled in an education course that placed him in a classroom for several hours each week.

"I fell in love with it," he said. "That's when I knew I wanted to teach."

When it came time to choose where to complete his degree, Lindley visited several universities across Wisconsin.

UW-Oshkosh stood out.

"Oshkosh was the only department that treated me like a person," he said. "They invited me to sit in and sing with the choir and took time to talk with me. It just felt welcoming."

That experience, he said, shaped both his college career and the educator he would eventually become. "I wouldn't be in the position I'm in without it," Lindley said.

Lessons that stuck

During his time at UW-Oshkosh, Lindley credits several professors with helping him grow both as a musician and as a future educator.

In addition to Ihde, he points to faculty mentors including Kenneth Liske, retired coordinator of music education, Nathan Edwards, professor and director of audio production, Marty Robinson, professor of trumpet and jazz, who encouraged him to challenge himself and stay open to new directions.

"They spent a lot of time on me," Lindley said. "Looking back, I'm sure they did that for everyone, but they made it feel like you mattered."

Those lessons continue to guide his teaching today. Now in his eighth year as a music educator, including his fifth year at Perry Tipler, Lindley focuses on creating a classroom culture built on respect and encouragement.

"The music making that comes out of a respected and safe choir is much more enjoyable than music that comes out of fear," he said.

That connection to UW-Oshkosh remains strong. Lindley continues to collaborate with faculty, including Kristin Ramseyer, director of choral activities, with whom he regularly shares ideas, works with students and connects through the broader Oshkosh music community.

Music with purpose

Under Lindley's leadership, the Perry Tipler and Advanced Learning Program's choir programs have grown in participation and performance opportunities. But Lindley believes choir should also help students connect with their community.

Last year, his students partnered with the Day by Day Warming Shelter in Oshkosh, raising more than $1,500 and collecting about 25 boxes of supplies for the organization. The effort culminated in a May 22, 2025, community concert titled, From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Hope.

"It's about helping students realize they can make a difference," Lindley said.

Beyond the classroom, Lindley also contributes to the broader music community. He serves as president of the Oshkosh Chamber Singers, director of the Badger State Youth Choir: Oshkosh and the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Middle Level All-State Coordinator.

He will be formally recognized for the Outstanding Young Choral Director award at the Refresh! Conference, July 15-16, 2026, at UW-Parkside in Kenosha.

Advice for future Titans

Looking back on his own journey, Lindley encourages UW-Oshkosh students to stay curious and open to growth.

"Ask questions," he said. "Asking for help doesn't make you look weak. It makes you look smart."

Nearly a decade after that humbling lesson during a piano assessment, Lindley now leads a thriving middle school choral program, mentors young singers and contributes to Wisconsin's broader music community. But he says the foundation for that success started during his time as a Titan.

"I wouldn't be in the position I'm in without UW-Oshkosh," Lindley said. "The community and the people there really set me up for success."

Learn more:

School of media, Arts and Communication (MAC) at UWO

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