About Us

The Vestavia Hills High School Choral Department is located just south of Birmingham, AL in Vestavia Hills.  The Choral Department, under the direction of Mr. Taylor Stricklin and Ms. Cara Thomas, consists of seven different ensembles that are all held to a high standard of excellence.  These ensembles include the following: VOX, Volante, Voces, Ensemble, Singers, Just Singin', and Honor Choir.  These choirs meet daily and consistently work to develop  proper vocal technique, music theory skills, sight-reading skills, leadership, and community through ensemble singing. 

Taylor Stricklin is the Choral Director at Vestavia Hills High School. Mr. Stricklin is a native of Birmingham, AL and earned his Bachelor of Choral Music Education degree from Samford University. In the Spring of 2020, he graduated with a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University, where he served as conductor of Chamber Singers and assistant conductor of the Tiger Glee Club. Prior to graduate study, Mr. Stricklin taught choral music at Dauphin Junior High School and Enterprise High School in Enterprise, AL . He currently sings in several professional ensembles, Red Shift, based in Baton Rouge, LA and the Cahaba Chamber Chorale, based in Birmingham. Since the summer of 2018, Mr. Stricklin has served as the Assistant Conductor of Iron City Singers, a community choir based in Birmingham. 

Cara Thomas is the Associate Choral Director at Vestavia Hills High School, where she directs choirs at the Freshman Campus and Main Campus. Originally from Cullman, Alabama, Ms. Cara Thomas received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Samford University and her Masters in Music Education from Mississippi State University. Ms. Thomas has taught at Weaver High School, Gardendale High School, and Vincent Middle High School for a combined number of nine years. She currently serves as Director of Choir and Traditional Worship at Bluff Park United Methodist Church and sings with Iron City Singers, a community based, semi-professional ensemble in Birmingham.