May 16, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Karen Kennedy, a 1992 graduate of DePauw University, has been appointed artistic director of the Master Chorale of South Florida. She comes to the post from Towson University in Maryland, where she has served as associate professor and director of choral activities since 2006.
Dr. Kennedy has also been named director of choral activities at the University of Miami.
The Master Chorale of South Florida is comprised of the finest classical
singers in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties. Now in its
eighth season, the group was formed to ensure that world-class
performances of major works written for chorus and orchestra remain
part of South Florida's cultural fabric.
The selection of Kennedy was based on "her vibrant personality, conducting style and ability to communicate with and motivate the singers," says the Chorale's Nancy Gates-Lee. "Her enthusiasm and work ethic will make her a tremendous asset to a non-profit organization like ours."
Before joining the faculty at Towson, Kennedy held the positions of chorus director for the Honolulu Symphony, artistic director for the Hawaii International Choral Festival, and director of choral activities at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
After graduating from the DePauw University School of Music, Kennedy earned a Master of Music in choral conducting from Butler University and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music from Arizona State University.
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