ABOUT
Michigan-born conductor and baritone PJ Uhazie has had the privilege of performing opera, oratorio, musical theater, and choral music throughout the Midwest.
As a conductor and music educator, Uhazie is grateful to have led ensembles to success on both the concert and theatrical stage. As a public school teacher, Uhazie’s ensembles have received awards for both their arts advocacy and musical excellence, including the 2020 national gold medal for community engagement through Music for All’s Arts in Advocacy program and perfect scores at state festivals. In 2020, Uhazie was also awarded “Best Musical Direction of a Musical” through the Wisconsin Jerry Awards for Mukwonago High School’s production of Hello Dolly! Uhazie’s ensembles were also thankful to have performed the 2019 American premier of Howard Skempton’s “Alice is One.”
Uhazie currently teaches at Mukwonago High School where he teaches 4 curricular choirs, a show choir, individual voice lessons, and 5 extracurricular chamber ensembles. Uhazie’s ensembles have appeared at 2 state WCDA conventions (2021, 2022).
Uhazie served as the Director of Music for the First United Methodist Church of Appleton Wisconsin from 2014 until May of 2021. The ensembles of FUMC have also performed large works with orchestras such as: Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living, Jubilate Deo, and LUX. Currently, Uhazie serves as Chancel Choir director for the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church where he has been since 2022.
Uhazie graduated magna cum laude from Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music in 2017 where he received his undergraduate degree in music education and a minor in Vocal Pedagogy. In 2018, the university chose Uhazie as the recipient for the Pi Kappa Lambda award for excellence in music education.