Kinderchor is proud of its staff of well-trained directors, conductors, musical specialist, and coordinators. During the summer the staff is increased to meet the needs of the Summer Institute program. Allow us to introduce you to the staff for the 2007-2008 season. 

Have a question for one of the staff? Simply click on the pictures to send an email. 

Dr. Amy Chivington is the Founder/ Artistic Director of Kinderchor at Otterbein College.  She is a graduate of Otterbein College and earned an M.A. and Ph.D. from Ohio State University.  Dr. Chivington is a Professor in the Department of Music and Director of Music Education at Otterbein College.  She has been a music teacher in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio. 
       She has studied choral literature and conducting with Jean Ashworth Bartle, Maurice Casey, Ann Howard Jones, Henry Leck, Doreen Rao, Robert Shaw, and Sir David Willcocks.  Dr. Chivington served the Evansville Children’s choirs in Evansville, Indiana as Artist in Residence 2000-2001.  She is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Ohio Music Education Association, the American Choral Directors Association, and the College Music Society. 
       She has published articles in the Choral Journal, Music Educators Journal, and the Triad.  She was recognized by the Vocal Arts Network with an Ovation 2003 Award for her contributions to the art of singing in Ohio.  Dr. Chivington was named to Who’s Who of American Teachers in 2004 and 2005. She has conducted performances and presented sessions for the Music Educators National Conference, the Ohio Music Education Association, the Ohio Choral Directors Association, and the American Guild of Organists.  Dr. Chivington is the Music and Drama/Theatre Consultant in Curriculum and Instruction for the Ohio Department of Education.  She serves as a consultant, adjudicator, and conductor internationally.

   
 Jane Griffin earned her B.M.E. and masters degrees at Eastern Kentucky University.  She has continued graduate study at The Ohio State University and Otterbein College. Mrs. Griffin’s general music and choral music program at Worthingway Middle School in Worthington, Ohio has earned the respect of colleagues, parents and students throughout the area.
         Jane has accompanied Chorale on tour to Detroit and to Hawaii. She is the proud mother of Calvin, a vocal performance major at The Ohio State University and Emma, a middle school student and member of the Chorale.

  Melissa Allen completed B.M.E. and B.A. at Otterbein College and a M.M.E. with highest honors at Capital University in Kodaly methodology.  She is a general music teacher at Arrowhead Elementary in Olentangy Local Schools.  Mrs. Allen serves on the Committee for Arts and Innovative Thinking formed by the Ohio Department of Education.  She was a 2007 nominee for the Educator of the Year Award given by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.  Melissa maintains a private piano, voice and violin studio and serves as pianist and choir director at her church.  Melissa Allen conducts the Cadet and Chamber choirs of Kinderchor.  

 
  Sharon A. Sink is the Kinderchor Executive Director.  She works in the Financial Aid Office at Otterbein College.  She is a choral member at Church of the Master.  Sharon keeps all of the attendance records for Kinderchor, acts as a publicity coordinator, community arts liaison, and oversees all of the financial operations of the choirs.  Sharon also coordinates all planning for Kinderchor  tours.  She successfully coordinated our European tours to Austria, the Czech Republic, England and Wales, Italy and Austria and to Hawaii.

Casey Cook Westfall earned a B.M. from Capital University, and has studied at Eastman School.  She currently plays for the Columbus Symphony Chorus.  Casey accompanies the Bexley High School choirs.  She has played for internationally renowned soloists visiting Columbus.  We welcome Casey's artistry.