Justin La is a music educator who has dedicated his career to transforming young lives through the power of singing, community, and creative expression.  He has both a Bachelor of Music (High Honours) and a Bachelor of Education Degree.  As Director of Music at Bedford Road Collegiate in Saskatoon, he teaches band, guitar, musical theatre, vocal coaching, and private instruction with one central purpose: to help students discover their voice, believe in themselves, and feel at home in a musical community.  Whether he is conducting a concert band, coaching a quartet, mentoring a high school singer, or producing a musical, Justin brings energy, passion, and possibility into every room he enters.
His influence extends well beyond the walls of any single school.  Justin directs Acoustic Theory – a contemporary a cappella and barbershop-influenced ensemble for young adults, co-directs YXE Winds – one of the most active youth wind ensembles in Saskatoon, and performs as the BASS of the PD&J quartet – actively modelling the lifelong joy of ensemble singing.  Justin also mentors and coaches Sirena – a Saskatchewan Junior Varsity treble barbershop quartet.  In 2024, Sirena Quartet represented the Land O’ Lakes District at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Midwinter Convention in New York, competing in the Junior Varsity Quartet Competition.  Sirena placed 8th in a field of 15 quartets.
Justin has long been a driving force behind youth barbershop in Canada.  From 2018 to 2020, he co-led the Saskatchewan-based youth barbershop chorus The Prairie Chords alongside David Pearce.  Under their leadership, this chorus united young singers from across the province and represented Canada at three international Midwinter Conventions: Orange County, California; Nashville, Tennessee; and Jacksonville, Florida.  These experiences gave dozens of Saskatchewan youth their first exposure to international-level harmony singing, an opportunity that shaped their confidence, artistry, and lifelong love of music.
Justin’s service to community music also includes work on major philanthropic projects.  He was a key leader with Music for the Gut, one of Saskatchewan’s largest benefit concerts in support of Crohn’s and Colitis research.  His musical direction and leadership helped raise funds, awareness, and hope for families and individuals affected by these chronic illnesses.  This work reflects Justin’s belief that music is not just an art form, but a force for compassion, connection, and social good.
Within the Barbershop Harmony Society, Justin’s leadership has continued to grow at remarkable speed.  After serving as Chair of the Land O’ Lakes Next Gen Committee, he was elected in 2025 as the new Vice President of Next Generation Barbershop for the Land O’ Lakes District.  In this role, he is shaping the direction of youth harmony across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  He is a central architect of the 2026 NextGen Youth Barbershop Festival at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, leading financial planning, educator outreach, youth recruitment, and festival design.  Justin also co-leads district leadership training, including the creation of the NextGen Playbook along with Jay Fahl, a resource to help chapters build sustainable youth engagement. 
In 2022, Justin initiated The Golden Chord – Music Educator of the Year Award, which the Land O’ Lakes District adopted.  This is the District’s highest recognition for outstanding middle and secondary-level music educators who inspire students and cultivate a passion for vocal harmony and barbershop singing.  This award highlights the educator’s dedication and impact in their schools and communities.
In 2025, Justin’s remarkable impact was recognised on a national scale through the Canadian Music Educators Association Builders Award, presented by the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association.  This honour celebrates individuals who have expanded the reach, quality, and accessibility of music education in Canada, an achievement that reflects Justin’s tireless dedication to building programs, communities, and opportunities for young musicians.
Justin continues to invest deeply in his own craft.  He has studied at Harmony University in Nashville, New Orleans, and Denver, learning from world-renowned educators like Debbie Cleveland, Charlotte Murray, and Darin Drown, and education and vocal pedagogues worldwide.  He brings research-based vocal pedagogy, expressive leadership, and advanced ensemble training back to his students and ensembles, ensuring that even in Saskatchewan, young singers have access to world-class musicianship.

What sets Justin apart is not just his skill or his accomplishments, it is the way he makes people feel.  Students stand taller.  Parents see their children light up.  Colleagues describe him as a spark, a connector, a builder and “an Energizer Bunny”.  Ensembles he leads become communities of belonging, joy, and artistry.  And young Justin La is a music educator who has dedicated his career to transforming young lives through the power of singing, community, and creative expression.  He has both a Bachelor of Music (High Honours) and a Bachelor of Education Degree.  As Director of Music at Bedford Road Collegiate in Saskatoon, he teaches band, guitar, musical theatre, vocal coaching, and private instruction with one central purpose: to help students discover their voice, believe in themselves, and feel at home in a musical community.  Whether he is conducting a concert band, coaching a quartet, mentoring a high school singer, or producing a musical, Justin brings energy, passion, and possibility into every room he enters.
His influence extends well beyond the walls of any single school.  Justin directs Acoustic Theory – a contemporary a cappella and barbershop-influenced ensemble for young adults, co-directs YXE Winds – one of the most active youth wind ensembles in Saskatoon, and performs as the BASS of the PD&J quartet – actively modelling the lifelong joy of ensemble singing.  Justin also mentors and coaches Sirena – a Saskatchewan Junior Varsity treble barbershop quartet.  In 2024, Sirena Quartet represented the Land O’ Lakes District at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Midwinter Convention in New York, competing in the Junior Varsity Quartet Competition.  Sirena placed 8th in a field of 15 quartets.
Justin has long been a driving force behind youth barbershop in Canada.  From 2018 to 2020, he co-led the Saskatchewan-based youth barbershop chorus The Prairie Chords alongside David Pearce.  Under their leadership, this chorus united young singers from across the province and represented Canada at three international Midwinter Conventions: Orange County, California; Nashville, Tennessee; and Jacksonville, Florida.  These experiences gave dozens of Saskatchewan youth their first exposure to international-level harmony singing, an opportunity that shaped their confidence, artistry, and lifelong love of music.
Justin’s service to community music also includes work on major philanthropic projects.  He was a key leader with Music for the Gut, one of Saskatchewan’s largest benefit concerts in support of Crohn’s and Colitis research.  His musical direction and leadership helped raise funds, awareness, and hope for families and individuals affected by these chronic illnesses.  This work reflects Justin’s belief that music is not just an art form, but a force for compassion, connection, and social good.
Within the Barbershop Harmony Society, Justin’s leadership has continued to grow at a remarkable speed.  After serving as Chair of the Land O’ Lakes Next Gen Committee, he was elected in 2025 as the new Vice President of Next Generation Barbershop for the Land O’ Lakes District.  In this role, he is shaping the direction of youth harmony across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  He is a central architect of the 2026 NextGen Youth Barbershop Festival at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, leading financial planning, educator outreach, youth recruitment, and festival design.  Justin also co-leads district leadership training, including the creation of the NextGen Playbook along with Jay Fahl, a resource to help chapters build sustainable youth engagement. 
In 2022, Justin initiated The Golden Chord – Music Educator of the Year Award that the Land O’ Lakes District adopted.  This is the District’s highest recognition for outstanding middle and secondary-level music educators who inspire students and cultivate a passion for vocal harmony and barbershop singing.  This award highlights the educator’s dedication and impact in their schools and communities.
In 2025, Justin’s remarkable impact was recognised on a national scale through the Canadian Music Educators Association Builders Award, presented by the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association.  This honour celebrates individuals who have expanded the reach, quality, and accessibility of music education in Canada, an achievement that reflects Justin’s tireless dedication to building programs, communities, and opportunities for young musicians.
Justin continues to invest deeply in his own craft.  He has studied at Harmony University in Nashville, New Orleans, and Denver, learning from world-renowned educators like Debbie Cleveland, Charlotte Murray, and Darin Drown, and education and vocal pedagogues worldwide.  He brings research-based vocal pedagogy, expressive leadership, and advanced ensemble training back to his students and ensembles, ensuring that even in Saskatchewan, young singers have access to world-class musicianship.
What sets Justin apart is not just his skill or his accomplishments, it is the way he makes people feel.  Students stand taller.  Parents see their children light up.  Colleagues describe him as a spark, a connector, a builder and “an Energizer Bunny”.  Ensembles he leads become communities of belonging, joy, and artistry.  And young people who never imagined themselves as musicians leave his programs believing in their limitless potential.