KATHLEEN SKINNER

Kathleen Luyk (née Skinner), B.Mus. (University of British Columbia, 2003), M.Mus. Choral Conducting (University of Alberta, 2005), is in her fourteenth season with Òran and her fourth season with the new adult choir Vacilando.  Kathleen (Katy) is also a proud alumna of Kokopelli. As a conductor, Katy strives to pair a well-researched pedagogy of excellence with the notion that choral singing is an incredible force in building community.

Prior to finishing her post-secondary education, Katy spent two years as the assistant conductor of the U of A Madrigal Singers under the direction of Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff. Kathleen was the music director at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church until recently, where she led two adult choirs and a children’s choir. Since 2010, Kathleen has taken on a different role as the executive director for the Kokopelli Choir Association. As a conductor and composer on the Alberta choral scene, Katy has been engaged as a clinician, guest conductor, vocal coach, and adjudicator for choirs and singers around Canada. Recent appearances include the Whistler Cantando Festival in the spring of 2016 and leading Òran at Podium 2014 (the biennial gathering of Choral Canada). Katy sits on the Choir Alberta board, as well as an advisory panel for Choral Canada.

As an arranger and composer, Katy has written several works for choir, including Benediction (Cypress Choral Music), Juvenilia (Legato Music), and many unpublished arrangements.

Katy lives in Edmonton with her wonderful husband Sean, their two cats, and a very funny-looking dog. Her non-choral hobbies include traveling, camping, reading, knitting, and spending time with her nieces and nephew. Read more about Katy’s work here: kathleenluyk.com