Dr. Christopher Kelts serves as Assistant Professor Music / Director of Orchestras for UMKC's Conservatory.  Dr. Kelts also collaborates with the Conservatory Opera Program.  Concurrently, Chris is the music director and conductor of the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, Kinnor Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director/Conductor of the Saint Joseph Symphony. A focus of his research is the performance and awareness of Jewish composers during the second world war.  Dr. Kelts' active conducting schedule can be found at www.KeltsConductor.com.

A native of St. Louis, Dr. Kelts has been the recipient of the “Arts for Life” Award for his musical direction in local theater, served as guest conductor for the St. Louis Suburban Honors Orchestra and clinician to many St. Louis School Districts. He continues to be an active guest conductor and clinician for many districts and honor orchestra program throughout the United States.  Conducting engagements has taken Chris throughout the region and the world.  Most recent, Project Musica gave a performance at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea in May of 2016.Other conducting engagements have included: assistant conductor of the Kansas City Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of the Ozarks, Topeka Symphony Orchestra and the Urban Cultural Project (Kansas City).

Dr. Kelts completed his advanced conducting degrees at Illinois State University and University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Dance and Theater. His teachers have included Glenn Block, Robert Olson and Paul Vermel. While at UMKC and in Kansas City, Chris maintained an active opera conducting schedule that included productions of; Le nozze di Figaro, Il Ritorno di Ulisses in Patria, Susannah, Pirates of Penzance, Hansel und Gretel, Guilio Cesare, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi and as well as the world premiere of Tonatzin. Chris has worked with stage directors, Linda Ade Brand, the late Marciem Bazell, Sylvia Stoner-Hawkins and Richard Gammon.Not limited to his studies in orchestral conducting, Dr. Kelts formally trained as a violist where he studied at Missouri State University and Illinois State University. Dr. Kelts has ample symphonic experience as a violist. Recent positions have included; Springfield (MO) Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony, Opera of Illinois Orchestra and the Fort Smith Symphony Orchestra. His teachers have included Amy Muchnick, Kate Hamilton and the late Karen Tuttle. Chris Kelts continues to perform in various chamber and orchestral ensembles.

Christopher Kelts is a member of the Conductor’s Guild, College Orchestra Director's Association (CODA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA).

Barbara Mathis Miller has earned degrees with Distinction from the University of Memphis and Creighton University.  Her first adult job was as a strings instructor in the Jefferson City School District. Then, alongside her husband she relocated to Omaha, Louisville, and finally, Kansas City.  In every move from high school in southwest Missouri until today she has performed with more community orchestras than she can remember! During her time in Omaha she taught strings in a community arts program while attending law school. Following a career in law, then several years to raise their amazing sons, the decision to return to teaching strings was effortless.    

Ms. Miller is now retired from the North Kansas City School District as Director of Orchestras at North Kansas City High School.  She worked at all levels: 5th Grade Strings; Middle School Honor Orchestras; and, two highly successful, award winning, high school orchestras.  Both North Kansas City High School Orchestras consistently earned the highest ratings at State Music Festivals and were awarded as Overall Champions at competitive festivals in Chicago and Nashville.  Under her direction, the North Kansas City Hornet Orchestra was invited to perform as an exhibition orchestra at the 2019 Missouri Music Educator's Conference.  In 2020, Ms. Miller received the NKCSD Excellence in Teaching Award.

In retirement, Ms. Miller co-directs the Northland Youth Sinfonia.  The Northland Youth Sinfonia is an auditioned full orchestra ensemble for developing musicians up to tenth grade.  She has relished serving as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the region. Ms. Miller continues to perform with the Northland Symphony Orchestra and teaches a select few private viola students in her home.  Ms. Miller is humbled and delighted by this fantastic opportunity to direct the 2026 All District String Orchestra!