Staff

Mrs. Wright is the Chorus Director for the Kettering Children’s Choir and the general music teacher/choir director at Beverly Gardens Elementary in the Mad River Local school district. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from West Virginia University and her Master’s degree from Marygrove College. Currently, in her 33rd year of teaching, Mrs. Wright was named the Beverly Gardens Teacher of the Year in 2012 and 2019. Her elementary choirs have performed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and Kings Island. In 2017, the BG choir was featured at the Ohio Statehouse for the State of Ohio Memorial Day program. Mrs. Wright enjoys teaching piano lessons and producing and playing piano in the pit for musicals.

Mrs. Smith is the Artistic Director of KCC, as well as director of the Concert Choir. She earned her Bachelor’s of Music in Education from Bowling Green State University. Currently, in her 31st year as Director of Choirs at Stebbins High School, She has grown the program to include three curricular choirs as well as other elective classes. In addition, Christina worked as the Assistant Director for the Choirs of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and as an adjunct faculty member at WSU. Beyond her work at school and in the community, she travels throughout the state coaching choirs and adjudicating for the Ohio Music Education Association. When home, Christina enjoys musical theatre; performing and directing as time allows.

Sarah is the Music Skills Instructor and Assistant Conductor of Chorus and Chorale. She earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music (both in Music Education) with Kodaly Emphasis from Capital University. She is the elementary music teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Kettering.

Artistic Director Emeritus Dr. Natalie DeHorn is a co-founder of the Kettering Children’s Choir.  She is a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Michigan State University and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. DeHorn has received over 100 grants for the KCC and has received personal grants from the National Endowment of the Humanities and the Ohio Arts Council.

Chief Financial Officer and Director of Fundraising

Mr. Swank is in his 26th year with KCC as director of Chorale, and is a retired General Music educator. He holds music education degrees from Ohio State University and Indiana University. He holds a Kodaly Certificate and diploma from the Kodaly Center of America. He retired in 2022 after 40 years teaching general music in the Northmont City Schools and has been an adjunct professor for the past 33 years at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

Choral and Vocal Coach Dr. Tipps is semi-retired from Wright State University where he was associate professor and coordinator of Music Education. His teaching load included conducting, research, and methods classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in addition to conducting the Men’s Chorale and University Chorus. He holds a doctorate in music education from Florida State University.

Mr. Graeme Materne is the director of Cantamus and is in his first year with KCC. Mr. Materne earned both his Bachelor’s in Music Theory & Composition and Master’s in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. He is currently the Director of Choirs at Springboro High School, his alma mater. In addition to directing the choirs, he serves as the music director for Springboro’s musical productions. When he is not teaching or making music, Mr. Materne enjoys spending time with his wife and three cats, cooking, and expanding his board game collection. 

Administrative Assistant

Rehearsal Assistant