At the department breakfast, from left, Amber Morris, who received the department alumnus award on behalf of her brother Ryan Fisher; Dr. Bill Green, dean of Lee’s School of Music; and Kristi Vanoy, director of music events at Lee.
Ryan Fisher was awarded the 2016 Lee University School of Music Distinguished Alumnus Award at a department breakfast during Homecoming.
“As an undergraduate student at Lee, Ryan exhibited many outstanding attributes,” said LuAnn Holden, associate professor of music education. “He was a leader among his peers, displayed a strong work ethic, and was passionate about his field of study, music education. I am so pleased that we can recognize and honor his professional achievement with the School of Music Alumnus Award.”
Mr. Fisher was conducting a high school regional Honor Choir in Bentonville, Ar., so was unable to attend the breakfast. In his absence, Mr. Fisher’s sister, Amber Morris, accepted the award on his behalf. Mr. Fisher sent a video expressing his gratitude for the honor.
“Lee is where my passion for music education was completely ignited,” said Mr. Fisher. “I had such incredible professors who believed in me, believed in my potential, and invested so much in me. Specifically, I want to thank LuAnn Holden. I admired her energy, professionalism, and poise on the podium. As a teacher, I still call her, and she offers great advice and continues to affirm who I am.”
During Mr. Fisher’s student teaching semester, he received the Jimmy W. Bilbo Excellence in Student Teaching Award during his student teaching semester.
He currently serves as an assistant professor of music education and associate director of choral activities at the University of Memphis. He conducts the Chamber Choir and is coordinator of the Music Education Division.
Prior to the University of Memphis, Mr. Fisher served as assistant professor of music education at the University of Central Arkansas where he directed the University Chorus and Central Arkansas Children’s Choir. Under his direction, CACC performed at the 2010 Arkansas Music Educators Association Fall Conference and made frequent appearances with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Conway Symphony Orchestra. He also served as the president-elect of the Arkansas Music Educators Association.
His research interests involve the male voice change, assessment in music education, and music education technology. Fisher’s writings have been published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, and the Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, among others.
Mr. Fisher earned a doctorate in music education and a master’s in choral conducting from the University of North Texas, in addition to his bachelor’s in music education from Lee University.
Ryan Fisher