Dr. Kathryn Wert (Voelker) is originally from Minnesota, and has established herself as a music director, accompanist, and conductor on the east coast and abroad. She currently serves as music director of the Alluvion Stage Company in Lynchburg, VA, where she most recently conducted the highly acclaimed Virginia premiere of the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Prior to her move to VA, she spent several years as music director at both the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse (CO) and Allenberry Resort Inn and Theater Company (PA). From 2011-12 Dr. Wert was Music Director of the Amici Opera Company in Philadelphia under impresario Raffaele Tudisco, where she performed on piano 18 operas in a single season. Additionally, Dr. Voelker has performed as a flautist and conducted ensembles in Europe, China, and across the United States.
Dr. Wert holds a B.Mus in piano performance from Bethel University in Minnesota, a M.A in music education from the Eastman School of Music in New York, and a D.A in wind conducting from the University of Northern Colorado. Her doctoral degree concluded with a performance of Mozart's piano concerto in Bb Major conducted from the piano, a technique she frequently employs as a music director. Additionally, Dr. Wert's doctoral dissertation was a study of the musical works of composer Jason Robert Brown; she frequently lectures on and performs his music.
Dr. Wert also spent three wonderful years teaching high school in Pennsylvania at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts and Faith Christian School. Here, she taught band, orchestra, choir, music history, music theory, and musical theater, as well as led student theater camps during the summer in New York.
In 2013, Dr. Wert joined the faculty at Liberty University, where she conducts the Liberty University Symphony Orchestra, teaches courses in applied piano, music theory, and serves as Associate Director of Bands. She is a trained tap dancer and choreographer, teaching group cycle classes, and runs marathons as often as she can.
Photographer: Brett Hartley
Liberty University, 2015