Brian J. Winnie, D.M.A., is widely recognized for his contributions to 21st-century choral pedagogy, distinguished by over two decades of work bridging the gap between voice science and evidence-based choral rehearsal practices. He is the founder and artistic director of withonevoice, a non-profit professional vocal ensemble based in Chicago.

Dr. Winnie is also the Director of Choral Studies at Western Illinois University where he supervises the graduate choral conducting program, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral conducting and choral literature, and conducts the Chamber Singers, Treble Choir, and the "flagship" ensemble, the University Singers. He previously served as the Director of Choral Activities & Voice and was chair of the music department at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. Prior to his tenure in higher education, he was the Artistic Director of ChoralSounds NW, a community choir based in Burien, WA, and taught for seven years in public education at both the middle and high school levels. 

Dr. Winnie is an internationally recognized guest conductor and lecturer who has led over 100 international and national presentations throughout the US and in the UK, Russia, Portugal, Austria, and Canada. His conducting credits include a residency in Russia and numerous All-State and regional choirs throughout the United States in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, Kansas, Oregon, and Alaska. 

Ensembles under Dr. Winnie’s direction have established a consistent record of excellence, distinguished by performances and accolades at international, regional, and state conferences and competitions. Most recently, withonevoice was selected to perform at the 12th Estill World Voice Symposium International Conference; and the Western Illinois University Singers were invited to perform at the 2024 Midwestern ACDA Conference, won the 2021 American Prize in the Performance of American Music (University/College division), and placed first at the 2021 International Choral Festival Wales. They also won gold medals at the 2020 Rimini International Choral Competition (Italy) and the Harmony of Cultures International Competition (France). 

Dr. Winnie is also an award-winning conductor having been the recipient of the 2022 WIU College of Fine Arts and Communication "Excellence in Scholarly and Professional Activities" award. He was also the second-place winner of the 2020 national American Prize in Choral Conducting (Schools Division), received the "Exemplary Teacher Award" at Southwestern College, and the "Outstanding Young Conductor Award" presented by the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

In addition to his work as a conductor, Dr. Winnie has contributed peer-reviewed and invited research to the Voice and Speech Review, Choral Journal, International Choral Bulletin, and ChorTeach. He is also the editor and contributing author of two books: The Choral Conductor's Companion and The Voice Teacher's Cookbook (Meredith Music/GIA Publications).

Dr. Winnie currently serves on the Editorial Board for the Voice and Speech Review, is the President of the Estill Voice International Certification Advisory Board, and serves on the National Collegiate Choral Organization board. His past positions have included the College/University Repertoire and Resources chair for Illinois-ACDA, Secretary for the Central New Jersey Music Education Association and Middle School/Jr. High Repertoire and Standards Chair for ACDA-PA. He is an active member of the ACDA, NATS, NCCO, and NAfME.

A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Winnie received his B.S. in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University, Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. Additionally, he is a certified Estill Master Trainer and Estill Mentor & Course Instructor with Testing Privileges in Estill Voice Training. His research interests involve the integration of gesture and voice training in the choral rehearsal and the development of a 21st-century choral pedagogy encompassing all styles of music.