Artistic Director
Kristina Ploeger has been a part of the
Spokane Arts Community for four years. Most recently, she has been teaching
Elementary Music Methods and Vocal Jazz at Eastern Washington University,
as well as 6th Grade Music at St. George’s School. Before moving
to the Spokane area, she taught at Everett and Ephrata High Schools,
and AC Davis High School. Kristina earned her MA in Choral Conducting
from Eastern Washington University in the Spring of 2001. Before that,
she studied at Central Washington University, earning a BM in Music
Education. She has enjoyed the opportunities to present clinics at Washington
State Music Educator’s Conferences (in association with MENC)
and American Choral Director’s Association sponsored events and
is currently the Washington State Secretary of the International Association
of Jazz Educators. As a professional musician, Kristina works often.
She is a sought after clinician for many events such as the EWMEA Choral
Festival (Spokane, WA), the Amherst College Guest Artist Series (Amherst,
MA) and the Columbia Basin College Festival (Tri-cities, WA). As the
Artistic Director, Kristina is responsible for overseeing all music
staff, choosing music and performance venues. She conducts Preparatory,
Intermediate and Ensemble Choirs, and serves as the Theory Instructor
at Saturday Academy.
Associate Director
Darnelle Preston, Associate Director
and Vocal Coach, joined the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus in
1994. She was appointed director for the Senior Concert Choir in 1996
and now serves as director for Senior and Elementary Choirs. Ms. Preston
graduated from San Francisco State University, magna cum laude, with
her B.M. in music education. She received her M.M. in vocal performance
from Boston University in 1982. Ms. Preston has appeared with the Utah,
Carmel, Washington D.C. Masterworks, Handel and Haydn Society, Muncie
and Nashville Symphonies. She has performed throughout Southern France
and recorded with the Robert Shaw Choeur d’ Atlanta. She appears
locally with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, Allegro, Zephyr, the Northwest
Bach Festival, Connoisseur Concerts, and Coeur d’Alene Summer
Theater. Ms. Preston is currently a faculty member at Whitworth College.
As Associate Director, Darnelle assists in planning the Chorus season
and selecting music, conducts her choirs, and serves as Vocal Coach
at Saturday Academy.
Accompanists
Susan Asplin, accompanist for Ensemble and Intermediate
Choirs, is currently the Developmental Music Teacher at Hamblen Elementary
School, where she teaches music to 1st – 6th grade students. She
is also an organist in the Spokane Area. Susan received her B.M. degree
in organ from Pacific Lutheran University, and her M.M. in Harpsichord
performance and M.M. in organ from the University of Michigan.
Janice Newell, Senior Choir Accompanist,
joined the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus in 1999. She graduated
from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Education, specializing
in Mathematics and Music, with graduate studies in Leadership at Whitworth
College. In 1976 she was awarded Young Artist in the organ division
of the Grater Spokane Music and Allied Arts Festival. Since that time,
she has formed children’s choirs at St. Aloysuis School, Cataldo
Catholic School, and Trinity Catholic School. From 1982-1995 she was
Director of Pastoral Music for St. Augustine Church, where the chorister
programs were a major focus of her work. She is currently teaching music
and math at Whitman Elementary, serving as organist for Central Lutheran
Church, and directing Chorus for the Whitman and Arlington HUBs. She
serves the Chorus as a substitute conductor and accompanist.
Susan Windham, currently accompanying the Preparatory
and Elementary, Susan Windham is a gifted vocalist, pianist and teacher.
As an opera singer, Susan has performed in Spokane Symphony productions,
Spokane Opera and the University of Northern Iowa Lyric Theatre. Her
vocal credits include solo work in Mozart’s “Requiem”,
Haydn’s “Creation”, Beethoven’s “Ninth
Symphony” and Verdi’s “Requiem”. Susan received
her B.A. in piano performance from Eastern Washington University and
has studied for her M.A. in vocal performance. Susan is a faculty member
at Holy Names Music Center and is an adjunct voice professor at Eastern
Washington University.
