Bio: Kim Charton's adventure as a volunteer instructor with the Tuscarawas Valley High School Band traces its origins to her graduation from TVHS and her cherished standing as a band alumnus. Over a decade ago while considering how to give back to both her school and community, her passion for the personal growth of young people melded with her undeniable love of music. The result has been a fruitful 17-year teaching partnership and support of the band program. The clarinet is her primary concert instrument; however, she recently discovered the beauty of the tenor sax. Don't tell the clarinet section, but she really enjoys the saxophone! Kim is involved in the day to day practice of students during marching and concert band.

Outside of the school, Kim has served as organist at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Zoarville for the past 40 years. She delights in knowing that she is only three degrees separated from the classical music composer Franz Liszt: Kim's organ teacher was Georgia Flad whose father was a student of Liszt. Despite all of these varied musical expressions, Kim will always return to her beloved first instrument, the piano.

Kim feels blessed to stand in the wings as witness to the hard work and the heartfelt dedication of the TVHS students. Her experiences confirm how these vital milestones become the defining moments in a life well-lived.