Conductor

Now in his second year with the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, Christopher Kelts is preparing to embark on the orchestra’s 51st season.

Mr. Kelts is not only the current conductor for the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, but is new to the faculty of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he is the music director of the Anthison-Benedictine College Symphony Orchestra.  Chris previously served as conductor for the Eastern Jackson County Youth Symphony and has guest conducted the Chamber Orchestra of the Ozarks.

Mr. Kelts’ completed his formal conducting training at Illinois State University and University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance.  His teachers have included Glenn Block, Robert Olson and Paul Vermel.  While in his studies at UMKC Conservatory, Mr. Kelts served as the assistant conductor for the University Symphony and Chamber Orchestra.  His Graduate Assistantship Award gave him the opportunity to be the graduate conductor for UMKC’s opera productions.  Mr. Kelts has been fortunate to conduct stage productions such as: Le nozze di Figaro, Il Ritorno di Ulisses in Patria, Susannah, Pirates of Penzance, Hansel und Gretel, Guilio Cesare, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi and recently premiered Tonatzin.

Not limited to his studies in orchestral conducting, Mr. Kelts was formally trained as a violist. He studied at Missouri State University and Illinois State University.  His teachers have included Amy Muchnick, Kate Hamilton and Karen Tuttle.

A native of St. Louis, Mr. Kelts has had many opportunities to perform in his home city.  He has been the recipient of the Arts for Life for his musical director in local theatre, served as guest conductor for the St. Louis Suburban Honors Orchestra and has given many clinics to local middle and high schools.  He has also served as an adjudicator for the American String Teacher’s Association (ASTA).

For the past eight years, Mr. Kelts has served on the faculty for Missouri State University’s Summer String Institute and recently was conductor for Stringendo/Heartland’s Summer Chamber Music festival through the Conservatory’s Academy of Music and Dance.  Mr. Kelts is also a member of the Conductor’s Guild.