Elijah Thiessen

Elijah Thiessen is a singer, arranger, composer, engineer, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Marshalltown, Iowa. He graduated from the School for Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa, with an Associate of Applied Arts degree in Professional Music, and he is currently finishing a degree at the University of North Texas, majoring in jazz studies with an emphasis in jazz voice.

Elijah has been interested in music his whole life. He took up the saxophone in the 5th grade, playing in concert and jazz band; and in high school he fell in love with singing after getting involved in choir and show choir. He has also held supporting and lead roles in musical theater productions of “The Sound of Music,” “Footloose,” “Cinderella,” “The Addams Family,” & “The Little Mermaid.”

As a student at the SMV, Elijah developed a diverse skill set; studying arranging, composition, studio engineering, conducting, music theory, jazz voice, classical voice, classical piano, jazz piano, saxophone, electric bass, and drum-set, while also participating in many ensembles such as the school’s jazz combo, singer-songwriter ensemble, chamber choir, and Downbeat award-winning vocal jazz group—‘First Take’. Elijah also held the position of head counselor for the 2022 & 2023 SMV Vocal Jazz Camps where he individually coached and accompanied students in vocal performance and taught music theory & songwriting classes.

At the University of North Texas, Elijah is furthering his education studying jazz voice and vocal pedagogy with Rosana Eckert and Jennifer Barnes. He sings with the UNT Jazz Singers, held the vocalist chair for the Two O’Clock Lab Band, and founded Downbeat-Award-Winning a cappella ensemble—‘Surround Sound’.

Elijah has performed at the Jazz Education Network Conference, the National American Choral Directors Association Conference, and has been recognized by Downbeat Magazine 7 times across 4 different categories (Vocal Jazz Soloist, Small Vocal Jazz Group, Large Vocal Jazz Group, and Engineered Studio Recording).

Elijah believes that joy is at the heart of every great musical experience. His teaching philosophy centers on creating a fun, encouraging, and personalized environment where students feel empowered to explore and express themselves. Drawing from his own multifaceted musical journey, he prioritizes building confidence through compassionate mentorship and healthy technique. Whether working with beginners or more advanced students, Elijah aims to nurture a lifelong love for music while celebrating each student’s unique path—helping them find their voice musically and beyond.

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