KatY
McNiff
Educator and Choral Conductor
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Educator. Guest Clinician. Conductor. Arts Integration Advocate.
DRUPAL
PORTFOLIO
Experience
Audivi Vocem Conductors Choir, LLC
To fulfill the growing needs of young conductors in Arizona, Mrs. McNiff founded a summer choral conducting institute in which she supervises undergraduate students as they rehearse volunteer ensembles in masterclasses lead both by herself and by world renown Guest Faculty, such as Jerry Blackstone and James Jordan. This program has served students from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University and has ensembles in Tucson and Phoenix.
Founder and Artistic Director
2015-Present
Academy of Tucson
Leman Academy of Excellence
Tucson Unified Schools
Identifying research linking music with history and language arts, Mrs. McNiff uses traditional elementary music and choral methods to engage students in traditional music education methodology inspired by Pestalozzi and later by Lowell Mason.
Music Teacher
Arts Integration Specialist
2011-Present
Christ Presbyterian Church of Tucson
Christ the King Catholic Church, Tucson
Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Church of the Painted Hills, UCC of Tucson
Mrs. McNiff utilized a light-hearted approach to engage congregation members and to increase choral involvement during her tenure. She lead Adult Choirs, Childrens's Choirs, Handbells, directed works with full orchestras, and created two life-long learning courses: The History of Sacred Music and: Adult Beginner Sight-Reading.
Church Director of Music
2009-2020
Conductor & Guest Lecturer
2013-2018
2014-Present
Choral and Opera Conductor
Tucson Masterworks Chorale
Bisbee Community Chorus
Thompson Street Opera Company
Arizona Rose Opera Company
These environments have allowed Mrs. McNiff to challenge both her performers and herself regarding repertoire and musicality, performing with orchestra, piano and unaccompanied and a spectrum of composers from Bach to 21st century opera premieres.
University of Arizona
Arizona State University
San Diego State University
Combing rigorous recruitment techniques, Mrs. McNiff lead the University of Arizona's Opera Chorus under the guidance of David Ward, and also taught, directed and conducted a course in Opera Scenes. In addition, she Co-Conducted four undergraduate Choral ensembles and was a Teacher's Assistant for undergraduate choral conducting techniques. At Arizona State University she co-taught sessions of Choral Methods and assisted in directing the Gospel Choir. At San Diego State University, Mrs. McNiff continues to challenge young Music Educators to think in new and innovated ways.
2011-2013
Director of Music and Drama
Deborah's Stage Door School for the Performing Arts
Mrs. McNiff launched her career as a classroom educator by enhancing and reimagining the Music and Drama programs. During her tenure she lead several musical theatre and drama productions as well as taught musical theatre classes, show choirs, drama classes, and private lessons.
CONTACT
Mrs. McNiff is available for Guest Clinician work with choirs, Music History seminars and Professional Development sessions involving science and history integration into Music curriculum. To express interest, please complete the attached form.
Tel: 1-520-310-2243