KatY
McNiff
Educator and Choral Conductor
DRUPAL
Experience
In Choral Conducting and Music Education
K
Katy McNiff is an educator whose interests and expertise revolve around teaching both elementary students and adult students. She focuses upon general music, choral music, music history and appreciation, theory, voice and piano. Her full resume is available for download below, including references. Her curriculum vitae is also available below. Mrs. McNiff is to be contacted prior to any communication with references so that she can inform them of interest.
CONTACT
Please feel free to use the contact information below or to complete the adjoining contact form.
Tel: 1-520-310-2243
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Experience
Audivi Vocem Conductors Choir, LLC
Founder and Artistic Director
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.
Building a summer choral program for future music educators
2015-Present
Leman Academy of Excellence
Tucson Unified Schools
Arts Integration Specialist
Music Teacher
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.
Creating connections between performance, history and composition
2015-Present
Christ Presbyterian Church of Tucson
Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Director of Music
Mrs. McNiff utilized a light-hearted approach to engage congregation members and to increase choral involvement from 8% to 13% during her tenure. She also assisted with the development of a Multi-Generational Choir involving children and their guardians, and created two life-long learning courses: The History of Sacred Music and: Adult Beginner Sight-Reading.
Nurturing engagement in
Sacred Music for all ages
2013-Present
University of Arizona
Course Instructor
Combing non-traditional recruitment techniques and offering the opportunity to perform 21st century opera, 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.
Developing a nurturing curriculum for undergraduate students
2013-2015
Deborah's Stage Door School for the Performing Arts
Director of Music and Drama
Mrs. McNiff launched her career as a classroom educator by enhancing the Music and Drama programs offered at a school which focused primarily on competitive dance. 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.
Developing Musicality in Children surrounded by the world of Competitive Dance
2011-2013
2014-Present
Community engagement through Choral Ensembles and Opera
Tucson Girls Chorus
Tucson Masterworks Chorale
Bisbee Community Chorus
Thompson Street Opera Company
Arizona Rose Opera Company
Conductor
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.