Ryan Marsh
Ryan Marsh is a native of Floyd Knobs, Indiana, (very near Louisville, KY). He attended Floyd Central High School (a two-time Grammy Signature School and two-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence) to which he credits his love for choral music and public school music education.

Ryan attended the University of Louisville School of Music from 1997 to 2003 where he earned the Bachelor of Music Education degree in Choral Music, Piano and Voice, and Master of Music Performance in Choral Conducting. His primary choral conducting study was with Dr. Kent Hatteberg. While at UofL he sang in the Collegiate Chorale and Cardinal Singers.

Prior to moving to Lexington to be the Choral Director at Lafayette in 2003, he was active in church music serving two churches in the New Albany, Indiana area. Ryan holds professional memberships to the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA), Music Educator’s National Conference (MENC) and regularly attends state, regional, national and international conventions and seminars. Ryan has an interest in choral music on the international scene and has attended and sung in international choral competitions. He has also served as an adjudicator for Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) contests and festivals on several occasions. Ryan is a staff member of the Kentucky Ambassadors of Music European program and represents the Central Kentucky Region. He is also District 7 All-State Chorus Chair.

Mr. Marsh is proud to direct the Lafayette Chorale, Singers, Madrigals, and Men’s Chorus. He is assistant director for the Lafayette Women’s Choir. He also teaches AP Music Theory IV for the Lafayette School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) music majors. Mr. Marsh led Lafayette through the process of becoming a Nationally Recognized Grammy Signature School in 2005. Mr. Marsh also serves as the music department chair at LHS. (Teaching Philosophy)

Laura Howard
Laura Howard is a native of Mt. Sterling, KY where she graduated from Montgomery County High School. She credits her involvement in the music programs of the Montgomery County Public Schools with the beginnings of her musical passion and ultimately, her career.

Mrs. Howard is a graduate of Morehead State University where she completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. As an undergraduate, she received her Bachelor of Music Education degree as a piano major on the choral/vocal education track of study. She also received the Master of Music degree while studying music education and choral conducting. While completing her graduate degree, she studied choral conducting privately with Dr. Greg Detweiler. She also served as a graduate assistant for the choral music department at MSU. Mrs. Howard recently completed Level II training in the Kodaly philosophy of music literacy and education. She began her teaching career in 2002 at Southern Middle School in Fayette County where she was responsible for general music classes, grades 6-8, as well as the 6th, 7th and 8th grade choirs. She has also had a private piano and voice studio since 1996.

For many years, Mrs. Howard has served as an accompanist for various choirs, soloists (both vocal and instrumental), and musical productions. She also serves as a church musician both as a pianist as well as a vocalist.

Mrs. Howard is delighted to be a part of the SCAPA/Lafayette faculty!  She conducts the Women’s Chorus and the Swing Choir as well as teaching SCAPA vocal majors, Musicianship I, and Beginning Keyboarding.