Kelsey D. Burkett
Columbus
Summary
Professional choral music educator with extensive experience in team management and strategic planning. Skilled at driving projects to successful completion and fostering a collaborative work environment. Demonstrates reliability, adaptability, effective communication, and leadership skills to align with organizational goals. Energetic leader with 20 years of industry experience and a superior record of accomplishment with developing voices and advanced a cappella singers. Ambitious and highly motivated, consistently surpassing demanding objectives and achieving or exceeding set goals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Choirs, Hilliard Memorial Middle School
Hilliard City School District
07.2009 - Current
- Company Overview: The Hilliard City School District is the ninth-largest school district in the State of Ohio
- Hilliard, OH is a middle-class suburb on the Northwest Side of Columbus, OH
- Students come from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
- Educational focus on the developing voice, tone production, pure vowel shaping, performance discipline, global music performance, music theory, and community service
- Four main performance Ensembles, 7th Grade Treble Choir, 8th Grade Treble Choir, and 7th & 8th Grade Men’s Choir, Blue Notes (Contemporary A Cappella Ensemble)
- Talent Show Advisor
- Building Initiative Team-Music Department Chair
- Consistent Excellent & Superior Ratings at the OMEA MS Adjudicated Event
- February 2021 & February 2025: 8th Grade Treble Choir selected to perform at the Ohio Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference, Cleveland, OH
- June 2017: 8th Grade Treble Choir selected to perform at the Ohio Choral Director’s Summer Professional Development Concert as a featured ensemble
- Planned and executed a 5-day, 4-night trip to New York City for 59 Students, two principals, and 18 parent chaperones
- June 2016: Invitation only participation in the Distinguished Concerts International New York presentation of Songs of Inspiration and Hope at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Lori Loftus
- 2016-17 School Year: Rewriting of the middle school curriculum to incorporate voice-based ensembles to enhance the development of the young choral singer and changing voice male singer
- 2020 Country Music Association Music Teacher of Excellence (National Winner)
Jaguar A Cappella Co-Director
Hilliard City School District
01.2019 - Current
- Shades of Blue A Cappella Co-Director
- 2023 ICHSA National Champions
- 2025 Midwest Champions with repeat bid to 2025 ICHSA National Championship
- CARA Nominated: Brighter Days (Debut Album)
- CARA Best High School Song "Gold"
- BOHSA "Gold" & "How Will I Know"
- Voices Only "Gold" "How Will I Know" & "EXILE"
- National A Cappella Convention Featured Performer 2022, 2024
- Blue Notes A Cappella Director (Middle School Contemporary A Cappella Group)
Assistant Director of Choirs, Hilliard Bradley High School
Hilliard City School District
01.2009 - 01.2016
- Upon the opening of Bradley High School in August of 2009, responsibilities included:
- Primary director for Concert Choir Women, a beginning level performance ensemble composed primarily of 9th Grade women and beginner singers
- Co-Director for the Symphonic Choir, an Advanced select ensemble of 65-75 men and women, composed primarily of advanced Juniors and Seniors
- Director of P.A.W
- (Pretty Awesome Women), an all-female vocal jazz ensemble
- Co-Director of Shades of Blue, Bradley HS’s Premier Contemporary A Cappella Ensemble
- Co-Director of WAVE, Bradley HS’s All Treble Contemporary A Cappella Ensemble
- Consistent Excellent & Superior Ratings at the District and State OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event
- The Symphonic Choir also serves as the choral music ambassador for Hilliard Bradley High School
- Outside performance opportunities have included: DCINY Carnegie Hall with The Ohio State University Chorale under the direction of Dr
- Hilary Apfelstadt, Walt Disney World Candlelight Processional, DCINY Carnegie Hall with Maestro Eric Whitacre, OMEA Professional Development Conference Featured Ensemble
Summer Community Theater Music Director
Westerville Civic Theater
06.2014 - 08.2017
- 2014-The Music Man
- 2015-Suessical the Musical
- 2016-Disney’s The Little Mermaid
- 2017-Annie
- 2022-The Sound of Music
Director of Choirs
Valley Local Schools
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Company Overview: Valley Local Schools is a rural district in Southern Ohio
- Upon arrival, was tasked with establishing a middle school choir program while also growing the high school program
- During this time, both a 7th and 8th Grade Choir became part of the school day as well as an advanced combined ensemble that met after the school day
- In addition, the Chorale became an after school advanced mixed group and the Mixed Ensemble, which met during the school day, grew to 95 members
- Valley Local Schools is a rural district in Southern Ohio
Education
Master of Music - Music Education with Kodaly Certification (Choral Emphasis)
Capital University
Bexley, OH08.2019
Bachelor of Music - Vocal Music Education
Capital University
Bexley, OH05.2006
High School -
Solon High School
Solon, OH06.2002
Skills
- Customer relations
- Budgeting expertise
- Innovation management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Recruitment and hiring
- Task delegation
- Strategic planning
- Team operations
- Project management
- Crisis management
- Data analysis
- Creative direction
Professional Leadership Positions
- Ohio Choral Director’s Association, South Central Division Chair
- American Choral Director’s Association, National R & R Co-Chair, Contemporary & Commercial Choirs
- OCDA Treble Honor Choir Chair
- 2026 Midwest American Choral Directors Association Conference Program Coordinator
Professional Development Initiatives
- MMS Principal’s Advisory Committee, 2014-15
- MMS District Liaison for Community Outreach and Communication
- OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event Required Repertoire Revision Committee, Columbus, OH, 06/01/13 & 06/01/14
- Hilliard City School District Performing Arts Curriculum Revision Committee, 2012-13
- Diversity & Equity Facilitator, HCSD
- Hilliard BIPOC Alliance, Founder & Co-Chair
- 2020 Decolonization of Choral Ensembles Virtual Town Hall Presentation, Ohio Choral Directors Association
- American Choral Directors Association National Contemporary/Commercial Co-Chair: Show Choirs June 2022-June 2025: Successful implantation of TWO show choir performances at the 2025 National Conference. Multiple reading sessions and breakout sessions developed for choral music educators
- OCDA Treble Honor Choir Chair 2024 & 2025: Successful development & production of state wide Treble Honor Choir with over 150 singers grades 4-5
Professional Association Memberships
- Ohio Music Education Association
- American Choral Directors Association
- Organization of American Kodaly Educators
- A Cappella Educators Association
Professional References
- Emily Johnson, Director of Orchestras, Hilliard Memorial Middle School emily_johnson@hboe.org (614) 440-4752 (614) 921-7600
- Mindy Mordarski, Principal, Hilliard Memorial Middle School mindy_mordarski@hboe.org (614) 570-8288 (614) 921-7600
- Dr. Mark Sholl, Fine Arts Coordinator, Hilliard City Schools, mark_sholl@hboe.org (614) 921-7000 (614) 563-4852
- John McClain, Director of Worship, Dayspring Ensemble, jm.mclain123@gmail.com (740) 216-0471
- Lora L. Moore, Director of Choirs (retired), Hilliard Bradley High School (614) 565-8682
Timeline
Jaguar A Cappella Co-Director
Hilliard City School District
01.2019 - Current
Summer Community Theater Music Director
Westerville Civic Theater
06.2014 - 08.2017
Director of Choirs, Hilliard Memorial Middle School
Hilliard City School District
07.2009 - Current
Assistant Director of Choirs, Hilliard Bradley High School
Hilliard City School District
01.2009 - 01.2016
Director of Choirs
Valley Local Schools
01.2006 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Music - Vocal Music Education
Capital University
High School -
Solon High School
Master of Music - Music Education with Kodaly Certification (Choral Emphasis)
Capital University
Similar Profiles
Sarah MeyersSarah Meyers
Speech-Language Pathologist at Hilliard City School DistrictSpeech-Language Pathologist at Hilliard City School District
Stacey MorrisStacey Morris
Teacher at Hilliard City School DistrictTeacher at Hilliard City School District
Kendra PurtellKendra Purtell
Certificated Substitute Teacher at Bakersfield City School District, Fruitvale School District, Grow Public Schools, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Rio Bravo-Greeley School District, Lakeside School DistrictCertificated Substitute Teacher at Bakersfield City School District, Fruitvale School District, Grow Public Schools, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Rio Bravo-Greeley School District, Lakeside School District