Kay Kline’s love of music began at a young age with piano lessons when she was 5. Beginning in 7th grade, she was the accompanist for various choral groups, including a touring high school swing choir and high school musicals. She received her bachelor’s degree in K-12 vocal Music Education with a piano emphasis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After completing her master’s thesis on children with autism and the importance of music and computers to help them, she received her master’s degree in education from National Louis University.
Kay taught Kindergarten through 6th grade general music in the Oconomowoc Area School District in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin for 32 years. During this time, she helped write the district music curriculum using a combination of the Kodaly and Orff methods, integrated the use of computers, smart boards, the music notation program, FINALE, and led staff development sessions on how to use computers to the rest of the music staff. Her teaching responsibilities involved directing many programs for the elementary schools including all-school Christmas programs involving 250-350 students every year, all district choir programs, 6th grade Honor choir, and 4th grade Wisconsin programs. She also served as the K-12 Music department head for the district for many years.
Being teachers, Kay and her husband Jim were fortunate to spend their summers in Petoskey. Their love of fishing, hiking, biking, and kayaking makes this area perfect for them, so in 2017, they sold their home in Oconomowoc and made the move to become residents of Petoskey. She is enjoying working with the Northern Michigan Chorale this fall and looking forward to the performance in November at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts. The Great Lakes Center is such a wonderful venue for music performances and it seems like a dream that she will be on this stage as director.