2024 40 Under 40: Taylor Bryson

Inspired by choir teacher Alberta Smith at age 13 during a choir camp, Taylor Bryson knew his future career path.

“Fourteen years later, I am living my dream each and every day as the music and choir teacher at Inman Intermediate school in Nixa, and as the artistic director for the Boys Choir of Springfield,” he says.

Bryson, 27, also holds key positions with the Missouri Music Educators Association and Missouri Choral Directors Association, where he earned the Prelude Award in 2023.

In 2021, Bryson was asked to voluntarily lead the Boys Choir, which he grew from two members to 40, created a new advisory board, and raised funds to create paid positions and scholarships for the boys.

Your proudest moment? Having my choir selected to perform at state, working hard to prepare for that performance and my students doing an amazing job as they performed for 1,000 music educators and audience members.

What about your job would shock people? How few restroom breaks teachers have.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Students will not always remember what you teach them, but they will remember how you made them feel.

Best celebrity meeting/sighting story? When I was in college, our choir sang at a presidential inauguration, so we were surrounded by famous politicians, previous and current presidents and many other famous people.