We are pleased to welcome Laura Klaassen as the new director of the Trinity Choir.
Laura will be helping with music at the 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Mission campus services beginning September 20 and leading Wednesday evening choir rehearsals beginning September 30.
Laura Klaassen is a choral conductor and music educator with more than ten years of experience directing choirs and teaching vocal music to all ages and ability levels. Most recently, Laura served as the Head Choir Director at Olathe East High School. Under her leadership, her choirs solely received Outstanding “1” ratings at the annual Kansas State High School Activities Association music festival.
Laura is passionate about using music to build community and create meaningful connections across generations. At Olathe East, she revived an intergenerational choir that brought adults age 50+ together with high school students for weekly rehearsals and shared musical experiences.
Her work has been recognized with the KMEA Outstanding Young Choral Director award and Heart of the Arts awards from KSHSAA and NFHS.
Laura has been actively involved in the church throughout her entire life, serving in many areas of church ministry, from singing in choirs and as a soloist to teaching and working with children. Her experience as a church musician includes serving as Adult Choir Director at Trinity Lutheran Church in McPherson, as well as singing for churches throughout Kansas. With a lifelong love of faith, music, and ministry, Laura is excited to return to church choir leadership and share her love of choral music in worship and fellowship at Trinity.
Laura holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a vocal emphasis from Bethany College and a Kodály Methodology Certification from Wichita State University. She has continued to develop her conducting artistry through workshops and study at Interlochen, University of Missouri- Kansas City, and Southwestern College by working with distinguished conductors and educators including Amanda Quist, Jennaya Robison, Ben Spalding, Allen Hightower, Geoffrey Boers, and Brian Winnie.
Laura is grateful for the opportunity to serve Trinity Lutheran Church and looks forward to building a welcoming, joyful, and musically excellent choir community.
