KAITLIN SIMONSON
Conductor
Kaitlin Simonson is the founder and Artistic Director of Lux Mea Women’s Chorus. She teaches music at The Brearley School in Manhattan. Kaitlin relocated to New York five years ago after teaching choir at Canarelli Middle School in Las Vegas, NV. Under her direction, the six choirs performed throughout the southwest earning superior ratings at festivals and competitions. As an associate conductor for the National Children's Chorus in Manhattan, Kaitlin works with the junior division students ages 4-6, and 10-12. She is trained in the Kodàly Method, an experience based pedagogy method that efficiently instils excellent musicianship in singers of all ages. Kaitlin has been a guest conductor of honor choirs in Nevada and Arizona. Her rapport with students, and focus on the human connection through music make her rehearsals unforgettable.
As a classically trained soprano, Kaitlin has performed as a soloist with the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra and the San Diego Pro Arte Voices. She is an experienced choral singer praised for her sight reading abilities, preparation and collegiality.
Kaitlin holds a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she studied with Dr. Linda Lister. In addition, she holds a B.M.E. in Choral Music Education cum laude from Northern Arizona University where she studied with Dr. Edith Copley and Dr. Ryan Holder. Kaitlin has completed three years of coursework in the Kodàly Methodology with Susan Brumfield at Portland State University. She serves on the KONY board as a general member. She is a member of ACDA, OAKE, and NAfME.
DAN MEINHARDT
Piano
Dan Meinhardt, multi-instrumentalist and composer, has been the Associate Pianist for Lux Mea Women’s Chorus since its inception in 2019. At once sensitive and dynamic, Mr. Meinhardt has become a first-call collaborator for musical projects of all kinds.
Primarily a dance musician, Mr. Meinhardt works with the dancers of New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Ballet Hispánico. Prior to his time in New York, Mr. Meinhardt worked with the Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance, and Visceral Dance Company, was an associate pianist for the Chicago Children’s Chorus, and taught as a frequent guest educator for the Merit School of Music.
Mr. Meinhardt holds a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance from Lawrence University, where he studied with Steven Jordheim and Fred Sturm, and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon, where he studied with Steve Owen. In 2016, he released his second album of original compositions - Outset - on ears&eyes Records.
