Millikin Children/Youth Choir Faculty and Staff

Beth Holmes, Program & Artistic Director and Concert Youth Chorale Director

Beth Holmes currently conducts the Millikin Women, a choir comprised primarily of freshmen students, and teaches private voice at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.   In addition she is the Artistic and Musical Director of the Millikin University Children & Youth Choir Program, and conducts its premiere ensemble, the Concert Youth Chorale, featuring singers in grades 6-12.  This program, an extension of Millikin’s Music Preparatory Department, includes a full year complement of programming, touring, multiple staff, and Millikin student internships for each of its 4 choirs.

A graduate of Kansas State University, Beth subsequently completed a Masters in Choral Conducting at Arizona State University.  She has directed university choirs for more than 10 years, first at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and then at Millikin University.   When she took a leave from college teaching to home educate her three children in 1995, Beth became an advocate of excellence in vocal music education among Illinois home educators.  She and her husband Brad wrote curriculum and were invited to teach and perform with their three children at both of Illinois’ state home educator conventions.

Beth is an active guest conductor, directing festival choirs on District and All-State levels as well as church music clinics throughout the Midwest.  She has conducted Honor Choirs and led workshops on rehearsal and vocal techniques for choral directors at several state music conventions, and is frequently called upon to adjudicate in both solo and ensemble settings.  Beth has had an influential role in the area of Repertoire and Standards for Women’s Choir, serving on state boards in both Iowa and Illinois for the American Choral Director’s Association. 

Melissa Miller, Singers Choir Director

Starting her third year as director of the Singers Choir, Melissa Miller is happy to be teaching at her alma mater again. Melissa received her Bachelor of Music Education at Millikin in 2002 and Masters of Music Education degree from Illinois State University in 2006. She taught grades 5-12 vocal and general music in the past and currently supervises student teachers through Illinois State University. In addition, Melissa is level I Orff certified and has completed two of her three levels in order to become a certified Kodaly Methodology educator through Indiana University. Currently, Melissa spends most of her time at home caring for her children. Melissa is very excited to be back for another year with the children's choir!

Christine Smith, Apprentice Choir and KinderChoir Director

Christine Smith is Millikin's Early Childhood Music Specialist. Christine has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Music Education from the Hartt School of Music, where she studied with early childhood music expert, John Feierabend. She has taught music in public schools and in the university setting for the past thirteen years. Currently she also teaches oboe to community students in the Preparatory Department as well as teaching Millikin's early childhood Music and Movement classes. Christine also treasures the time she is able to spend with her two daughters.

Jeannie Rade, Concert Youth Chorale Accompanist

Kathy Saenz, Managing Director

Kathy Saenz joined the Millikin Children's Choir staff in the Fall of 2005. After attending the University of Texas in Austin, Kathy owned and operated a business in Wichita Falls, Texas for five years. Currently, Kathy spends much of her time homeschooling her three children, who have all been in the Millikin Children's Choir since its beginning.

Teresa Cunningham, Coordinator, Outreach and Community Relations

Carol Greenleaf, Millikin Preparatory Office Manager