For Dr. Jason Hiester, music and travel are inseparable parts of his life story. His first taste of international travel came as a young singer, when summers spent studying abroad and touring with his university choir ignited a passion for exploring the world through music. Those transformative experiences shaped his future as both a musician and an educator, and they continue to inspire the way he shares culture and art with others today.

Jason completed his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in voice and conducting at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, launching a career that has taken him from the opera stage to the conductor’s podium. He has led professional organizations, including Opera Columbus, conducted major choral-orchestral works at Ohio Wesleyan University (where he has taught since 2002), and performed internationally as a tenor soloist.

Beyond the concert hall, Jason has guided students and fellow travelers through some of the world’s great musical centers—from Salzburg, Austria, where he directed workshops during the renowned festival, to Italy, where he led travel-learning courses exploring centuries of choral traditions. Over the past 25 years, he has shared these immersive journeys with more than 100 participants, blending performance, history, and cultural discovery into unforgettable experiences.

What sets Jason apart is his belief that travel is more than sightseeing—it is a chance to connect deeply with people, traditions, and the universal language of music. Whether on stage, in the classroom, or abroad, his goal is the same: to open doors to meaningful encounters with art and culture, and to inspire travelers to see the world—and themselves—in new ways.