MEET the GROUP
sharing hope IN Christ
The Nonprofit JEsus Vocal Band
Each member of J209 has felt the love of Jesus Christ in their life and is passionate about sharing it with every open heart. While the world grows increasingly darker, they believe—with the help of God—music can make a difference. Having left school, work, and many other professional pursuits, J209 came together with the hope of inspiring a community of followers who will join them in reigniting faith like fire wherever they may be.
Soprano
Hailey Murphy
Meet Hailey, the high-note hero in J209, rocking the soprano part since age 7. In her rebellious teen years, she swapped choir robes for pop singing, now studying Contemporary Voice at BYU. When not belting angelic notes, Hailey embraces art, the outdoors, and quality time with fam and friends. Party tricks? Her double-jointed arms and impressive worm dance add a touch of excitement to family gatherings, turning them into lively and entertaining events with a circus-like atmosphere.
Mezzo
Kim Hess
Meet Kim Hess, the ultimate Jesus jammer, theater drama queen extraordinaire, and the reigning champion of being the baby of the family (clearly the superior sibling position). From belting tunes at 18 months to hitting mezzo notes for j209, Kim’s a spunky personality to have around. When she’s not serenading, she’s a thespian geek, adding drama to the stage and family events. Now, onto Kim’s showstopper—her two truths and a lie: she claims to be able to devour an entire traditional-sized cupcake in one glorious mouthful, insists she’s never had a cavity (dentists everywhere are baffled), and boasts a scar that could double as a quirky measuring tape for half her body length. Good luck figuring that out!
Abi URton
Alto
Meet Abigail Urton, K-drama enthusiast and resident alto of J209. Abi has been hitting notes high and low since she could barely walk around her hometown, Winter Garden. Thanks to a life spent moving around due to her father’s military service, Abi has carried music like a well-tuned suitcase through her nomadic adventures. In fact, Abi traversed the country by car to lend her vocal prowess to the group! As Abi orchestrates her melodious magic with J209, she also whips up culinary delights, delves into books, and throws punches in the boxing ring for that pitch-perfect balance. And, of course, let’s not forget her days of cow-tending – Sir. Loin, her four-legged moo-sical companion!
Tenor
Neal Stucki
Emerging from the red rocks of Moab, Utah, Neal Stucki’s musical journey kicked off at an age when most were still mastering the art of tying shoelaces. From house to car, church to school, and even the store (much to the confusion of fellow shoppers), Neal’s serenades echoed louder than the squeal of broken shopping cart wheels. Now, as the tenor extraordinaire in J209, Neal is living the dream and hitting high notes that would make even the most stoic Moab rock crack a smile. For him, singing isn’t just an art form; it’s a divine connection. And if it weren’t for his faith, Neal jokes, “I’d probably still just be singing in the shower,” turning mundane moments into heavenly concert venues.
Jimmy Mohlman
Baritone
Behold, the vertically gifted virtuoso—Jimmy, the tall guy with a voice that reaches heavenly heights! Freshly hitched in the land of cacti and sunburns, Jimmy tied the knot in Arizona to his stunning wife, Lenora. During the pandemic, he decided to serenade the pandemic blues away by picking up the guitar. While others were perfecting their sourdough recipes, he was busy strumming his way into a musical escapade. Now, for Jimmy’s pièce de résistance—the man claims he can devour a meal faster than anyone he knows. Forget speed dating; he’s the undisputed champion of speed eating. Whether it’s a race against time or just a fierce appetite, Jimmy’s got it down to a fine art.
Bass
Ethan Holliday
Meet Ethan, the singing sensation from Ogden, Utah, whose voice dropped into the basement when he was just 4 years old. Successfully wooing and marrying his high school sweetheart, Jenny, they form a duo that puts love songs to shame while jet-setting around the globe. Ethan has listened to acapella music his whole life (thanks dad!) but he’s not just your average music lover; he’s got a keen ear for bass lines in contemporary tunes. He’s the bass whisperer, if you will.
Vocal Percussion
Jarom Hess
Meet the rhythmic maestro with a groove that echoes through souls and halls alike! As a vocal percussionist and beatboxer extraordinaire, Jarom is the heartbeat of our a cappella crew, setting the stage ablaze with his percussive wizardry. However, the real head-turner isn’t the beats he drops—it’s the story of his shiny scalp! Legend has it that during a particularly exciting performance, a glorious crescendo erupted, transcending mere sound waves. As Jarom’s passion peaked, so did his hair—literally! In a whirlwind of beats and exuberance, his locks levitated with the fervor of his music, ascending higher and higher until they joyously bid farewell, leaving him a beacon of bald brilliance. Yet, his passion for harmonious melodies and heavenly rhythms remains unshaken, echoing through his every beat and bare scalp, a testament to the sheer power of his musical devotion! He also prefers ham over turkey sandwiches.
Music Director/Producer
David Allen
Originally from Albany, Oregon, David Allen graduated from Brigham Young University in 2020 with a BM in Commercial Music with an emphasis in Media and Film Composition. Since graduation, he’s served as the band director for the Young Ambassadors (BYU’s critically-acclaimed musical theater company), as well as the music director for Rise Up Children’s Choir, an elite group of advanced young vocalists located in Utah. In addition to his directing duties for J209, he directs the music for Uncertified the Band, a Provo-based cover band in which he plays keyboards and sings. When he’s not directing, he’s a freelance musician, helping others reach their musical goals through recording, producing, arranging, etc. David is a chicken sandwich connoisseur, always looking for the best one around!
Shane Mickelsen
Band Manager
Meet Shane Mickelsen, the maestro managing the a cappella enchantment of J209. Armed with degrees in vocal performance and music composition, Shane is not your ordinary manager—he effortlessly switches from conducting harmonies to quacking out tunes like Donald Duck. Beyond the music realm, he’s a culinary virtuoso, a passionate teacher, and a composer extraordinaire, crafting musical wonders for artists like Paul Cardall, The Piano Guys, 92 Keys, and Nathan Pacheco. Rumor has it, even the White House has tuned in to witness his arrangements performed on live television. With a touch of humor and a penchant for telling people what to do, Shane Mickelsen orchestrates life’s symphony with whimsy, making every note count.