About

The Grant County High School Choirs are part of the Visual and Performing Arts department at Grant County High School in Dry Ridge, Kentucky. The program is home to various vocal performing ensembles including the GCHS Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. We strive to offer all students a high quality, academic music education that breeds a life long appreciation for music. As a member of the choir program, our students have the opportunity to learn, perform, and explore in an environment that is focused on their growth. We hope you will continue to support our program and enjoy our tradition of excellence!

Our Choirs

Chamber Singers - the Chamber Choir is the most select choral ensemble. The group specializes in madrigals and challenging 20th century literature. This group rehearses during the school day as well as occasional after school rehearsals. The Chamber Choir serves as music ambassadors for GCHS and performs extensively at community, school district, and program events.

Concert Choir - This is the non-audition, intermediate ensemble of the program and is best suited for novice or younger singers. This course will serve to lay a solid foundation in sight-reading, performance skills, and vocal technique. Students will learn to perform both high quality, solo and ensemble repertoire from a variety of genres and cultures while also honing their individual musicianship. This ensemble rehearses during the school day and performs at various community, school, and program events.

Dakota S. Burnette

Mr. Dakota Burnette is the Director of Choral Activities at Grant County High School. His duties in this role include directing the GCHS Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, teaching guitar and general music electives, as well as directing and producing the spring musical.

A native of Jackson, OH, Mr. Burnette developed a passion for music in the Jackson High School band program. After graduating Mr. Burnette went on to attend Morehead State University where he studied tuba and euphonium performance and pedagogy with Dr. Stacy Baker as well as voice and extensive private choral conducting with Dr. Greg Detweiler. As a student at MSU Mr. Burnette was active in both the vocal and instrumental ensembles including the Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, and Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble. In addition to his performing activities Mr. Burnette pursued several academic endeavors including a research fellowship in which he earned a Certificate of Merit in Research for his study, being named a Art of Music Teaching Research Fellow, and graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor in Music Education in May of 2020. After graduation Mr. Burnette has furthered his education through professional development opportunities such as earning a Kodály Level 1 Music Educator certification summer of 2021.

Mr. Burnette has enjoyed many professional opportunities such as presenting professional development clinics at the 2021 CNAfME conference and the 2021 Kentucky Association of Kodály Educators. Additionally, Mr. Burnette maintains membership in several professional organizations including the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the International Tuba and Euphonium Association (ITEA), and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Apart from this, Mr. Burnette is an active performer, private music teacher, and sound technician throughout Kentucky.

"I am incredibly excited to continue the tradition of excellence that the GCHS choir program has enjoyed. I hope to empower our students with the tools for them to grow beyond their four short years at GCHS and encourage them to be life long learners."