Candidates for President-Elect

Candidates for ECKMEA President Elect
Kelli Baker, Choral Director at Gardner-Edgerton HS
Robin Christie, Choral Director at Shawnee Mission-Bishop Miege HS
Jason Cole, Choral Director at Lenexa-St. James Academy

Kelli Baker believes that any person who loves to sing is a singer. As she always says, "If you can talk, you can sing!" Kelli was awarded her Bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Kansas in 2011 and completed her Master's degree in Music Education with an emphasis in choral pedagogy at KU in 2018. Kelli received training in vocal pedagogy and voice anatomy/physiology, and has a special interest in adolescent changing voices. She is an active member of KMEA, ACDA and NAfME, and served as the Kansas Music Educators Association Middle Level Choir Chair from 2012-2016. She received the Outstanding Music Educator Award from the University of Kansas in 2017. Over the last 10 years, Kelli has taught in the Gardner Edgerton School District, and is currently teaching choir at Gardner Edgerton High School. Kelli served as the Associate Director of the Lawrence Children's Choir from 2011-2021. She is currently the Artistic Director of Allegro con Spirito, the men's changing and changed-voice choir of Allegro Choirs of Kansas City.

Robin Christie has taught Vocal Music 28 years in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, 7 in the elementary, jr. high level and 20 of those at Bishop MIege High School. During her tenure she has added barbershop performance, a handbell choir and other general music classes to the program. Her choirs have been selected as finalists for the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence and KMEA ISW Performing Groups, and she is the 2021-22 ECKMEA Nominee for State Music Educator of the Year.

Jason Cole received his Bachelors from Tennessee Tech and Masters from KU. Mr. Cole taught choir at Washington High School in KCK for 6 years, K-8 Vocal and General Music at Cure of School in Leawood for 7 years, and is currently in his 7th year teaching choir at St. James Academy in Lenexa. Jason is also a published composer with compositions available from Cantica Nova, SBMP, and SMP.