Kyra Rengstorf is a choral conductor and music director in the greater Seattle area who is deeply committed to bringing more secondary choral conversations, opportunities, and teachers into the Kodály fold. Her teaching and research interests include culturally responsive teaching methods, global choral traditions, and literacy development for emerging-level ensembles. During her time at Western Washington University, Rengstorf directed the University Choir and taught Aural Skills and Secondary Choral Methods. In local Seattle-area public schools, she has taught middle school and high school mixed, SA, TB, and jazz choirs; piano, theater, musical theater, and elementary general music. Rengstorf is an in-demand honor choir conductor, adjudicator, and workshop presenter in the greater Seattle area. She conducted the WMEA All-State Junior Mixed Choir in February of 2024. Rengstorf holds a BA in Music from Barnard College of Columbia University, a Post-baccalaureate degree in Music Education from the University of Washington, and an MM in Choral Conducting from Western Washington University. She is an active member of WMEA, ACDA, and OAKE, and serves on the board for the Northwest Kodály Educators. She currently serves as the Director of Choirs for Shorecrest High School, Teacher-Conductor of the Sangat choir at Northwest Girlchoir, and voice faculty at Edmonds College. She teaches conducting and directs the choir at Kodály Levels of Seattle.
Christopher Roberts holds a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Washington, and a B.A. in African History from Swarthmore College. He received his Kodály Certificate from Seattle Pacific University, further studied the Kodály approach at the University of Calgary, and has given presentations for music educators throughout the United States and Canada. Christopher currently serves as Chair of Music Education at the University of Washington, working with undergraduate and graduate students. His co-authored book, World Music Pedagogy II: Elementary Music Education, was recently published by Routledge Press, and research articles have appeared in journals including Journal of Research in Music Education, British Journal of Music Education, and The Bulletin of the Council of Research in Music Education. Christopher serves as the director of the Kodály Levels Program of Seattle, and is a former President of the Western Division for the Organization of American Kodály Educators.
Melyssa Stone holds a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Washington and B.A. degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Seattle Pacific University. She completed her Kodály Levels at Seattle Pacific University and has worked with the program since 2014. She has worked at the elementary, middle and high school levels as a music educator and is a former director with Northwest Girlchoir, and Pacifica Choirs, focusing on a Kodaly-based approach to choral singing. Melyssa performs in the area as a jazz vocalist and has performed with artists such as Ben Folds, John Pizzarelli and the New York Voices. As a violist, she is a former member of the Thalia Symphony Orchestra and More Music @ the Moore performer. Melyssa has presented for the Seattle International Children's Festival, Seattle Theatre Group, Northwest Kodaly Educators, Washington Music Educator's Association, and schools on topics of musicianship, diversity in the arts, and children's choirs. Melyssa is currently vice-principal at Shorewood High School in the Shoreline School District.
Bryan Van Pelt holds a M.Ed in Teacher Leadership from Seattle Pacific University and B.M. degrees in Jazz Studies and Music Education from the University of Washington. He completed his Kodály Levels at Seattle Pacific University in 2018. He has had the privilege of working at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Bryan has presented at numerous workshops in the Seattle area focusing on early childhood music education, specifically singing games, music literacy, and rhythmic and melodic skill development. He has performed with renowned jazz artists such as George Garzone, Ben Street, Ted Poor, and Cuong Vu. Bryan currently teaches PreK - 2nd grade music along with a band and drumline program at Assumption St. Bridget School in Seattle. In his free time Bryan enjoys hanging out with his son Porter, reading, and refining his chef skills in the kitchen.
Kelly Foster Griffin is a National Board Certified teacher (2007) and a K-5 music educator in the Northshore School District (1988). Kelly holds a Kodály Certificate from the Kodály Musical Training Institute at Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, CT (1989); a Master of Music in Music Education with Kodály Emphasis from Holy Names University in Oakland, California (1992); and has served on local, regional and national music boards, including serving as past president of the Organization of American Kodály Educators (2012-14). She is the co-founder and former executive director of the non-profit arts camp, Summer Fun! - A Music, Theatre and Visual Arts Day Camp for Children (1993-2011); and has taught children’s and youth choirs for over 30 years. Kelly currently serves as Elementary West Curriculum Officer for the Washington Music Educators Association. She is an instructor for the Kodály Levels Program of Seattle teaching Musicianship, Pedagogy and Materials courses (2010 – present).