Jacob Lyon is a composer and singer who writes narrative works that explore the intersection of psychology and musical expression. Inspired by evocative texts and emotional states, as a composer he creates spaces for performers and audiences to experience catharsis, epiphany, and communitas. His music aims to be provocative, wry, and sonorous.

His debut work “Depression” from Grief Quintet was premiered by C4: The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective in New York City in December 2024. Other choral works include After Many Springs, a setting of Langston Hughes that examines aging and self-reflection, and Well, I Should Be Going, which depicts repeated attempts to escape an unwanted conversation at a holiday party. He is currently reimagining Grief Quintet into a work for double choir, with a premiere planned for 2027.

Jacob’s voice as a composer is informed by extensive experience as a singer and conductor across classical music and musical theatre. He has performed with choral ensembles throughout New York City, including Ralph Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphony at Carnegie Hall with the Choral Society of Grace Church and Karen Siegel’s Lessons of Stone premiere at the Noguchi Museum with the Astoria Choir. His musical theatre experience includes appearing as Tobias in Sweeney Todd and directing Carousel at the University of Virginia, as well as conducting the pit orchestra for Hairspray at Live Arts in Charlottesville, Virginia.

He received a B.A. from the University of Virginia, where he studied music and psychology and trained in choral music and choral conducting with Michael Slon. He later studied instrumental composition at the Juilliard School Extension with Conrad Cummings.

Newly based in Chicago, Jacob performs with Consonance (Chicago Choral Artists) and Stare at the Sun while continuing to compose new choral and instrumental works.