Senior Division

Dr. Pamela Blackstone is a renowned and respected conductor on the national and international choral scene, where her expertise and innovative approach to singing have empowered performers to achieve their highest levels of musicianship, vocal technique, and creative artistry. Currently, she serves as Associate Artistic Director and Chief Programming Officer of the GRAMMY® Award-winning National Children’s Chorus. For over three decades, Dr. Blackstone has devoted herself to the art of performance and music education with passion and awe-inspiring energy. Her concert appearances have included Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Royce Hall, and The Broad Stage, with international appearances in London, Oxford, Wales, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Oslo, Rome, Florence, Venice, Vatican City, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona, Beijing, Xi’an, the Korean DMZ, Seoul, Tokyo, and Kyoto. Her recent musical collaborations include projects with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Grant Gershon and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, VOCES8, Sharon Farber, Nico Muhly, Caroline Polachek, and Meredith Monk. As a college educator, Dr. Blackstone held the position of Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, and emerged as one of the Midwest region’s most sought-after choral clinicians, judges, and choreographers. She also served as the Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles-based Angeles Chorale, and has taught choral and vocal music at the University of California Los Angeles, Santa Ana College, and church organizations across the nation. Dr. Blackstone obtained her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Kansas, a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of California Los Angeles. Combined with her expertise in the healing arts profession, Dr. Blackstone has advocated for an integrated, holistic approach to music education that embodies an eclectic array of modalities and methodologies, enriching her students mentally, emotionally, and kinesthetically. In addition, Dr. Blackstone has established herself as an invaluable vocal instructor and in-demand performance coach across the nation. Recent students have been accepted with scholarships at top-level programs including the University of Southern California, University of California Los Angeles, Manhattan School of Music, New York University, Mannes School of Music, Northwestern University, Boston Conservatory, Berklee, Oberlin, University of Michigan, Peabody Institute, Indiana University, Stanford, and Harvard. 

Kelly Adams is a twice-over graduate of the University of Southern California where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in music industry and a Master of Arts degree in music education. In 2013, she attended the Kodály Association of Southern California (KASC) Summer Institute where she fell in love with Kodály’s revolutionary methods and ideology, eventually receiving her certification under Dr. Kathy Hickey and Dr. Niké St. Clair in 2016. Now Kelly serves as Past President on the KASC board, and currently teaches Level I Pedagogy during KASC’s Summer Institute at Azusa Pacific University. She continues to build Kodály-based curricula for the National Children’s Chorus as Senior Associate Conductor and Artistic Coordinator, and recently conducted students from schools across Los Angeles in the 2023 KASC Honor Chorus Festival. Kelly is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in music teaching and learning at the University of Southern California. When she is not teaching or conducting, Kelly performs, writes, and records with the band Karmina (search Queens of Heart to hear Karmina’s latest album) and sings in feature films (How to Train Your Dragon, Wonder, Pan, The Lorax, Promising Young Woman). Kelly is thrilled to conduct her daughter Rudi in the Minuet Level.

Dr. Pamela Blackstone is a renowned and respected conductor on the national and international choral scene, where her expertise and innovative approach to singing have empowered performers to achieve their highest levels of musicianship, vocal technique, and creative artistry. Currently, she serves as Associate Artistic Director and Chief Programming Officer of the GRAMMY® Award-winning National Children’s Chorus. For over three decades, Dr. Blackstone has devoted herself to the art of performance and music education with passion and awe-inspiring energy. Her concert appearances have included Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Royce Hall, and The Broad Stage, with international appearances in London, Oxford, Wales, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Oslo, Rome, Florence, Venice, Vatican City, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona, Beijing, Xi’an, the Korean DMZ, Seoul, Tokyo, and Kyoto. Her recent musical collaborations include projects with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Grant Gershon and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, VOCES8, Sharon Farber, Nico Muhly, Caroline Polachek, and Meredith Monk. As a college educator, Dr. Blackstone held the position of Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, and emerged as one of the Midwest region’s most sought-after choral clinicians, judges, and choreographers. She also served as the Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles-based Angeles Chorale, and has taught choral and vocal music at the University of California Los Angeles, Santa Ana College, and church organizations across the nation. Dr. Blackstone obtained her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Kansas, a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of California Los Angeles. Combined with her expertise in the healing arts profession, Dr. Blackstone has advocated for an integrated, holistic approach to music education that embodies an eclectic array of modalities and methodologies, enriching her students mentally, emotionally, and kinesthetically. In addition, Dr. Blackstone has established herself as an invaluable vocal instructor and in-demand performance coach across the nation. Recent students have been accepted with scholarships at top-level programs including the University of Southern California, University of California Los Angeles, Manhattan School of Music, New York University, Mannes School of Music, Northwestern University, Boston Conservatory, Berklee, Oberlin, University of Michigan, Peabody Institute, Indiana University, Stanford, and Harvard. 

Dr. Kristen Simpson was originally trained as a licensed civil engineer before pursuing advanced music degrees in choral music to facilitate a career change to music. She has taught courses at Santa Ana College, Texas State University and the University of Southern California. Prior to joining the NCC, Simpson was the assistant director and collaborative pianist at Villa Park High School, director of music at La Canada United Methodist Church, director of the Ebell Chorale, and co-conductor of choir at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). In addition to her work as a conductor, Dr. Simpson is well-known for her keyboard skills and has performed as a collaborative pianist at regional and national conventions for the American Choral Directors Association, as well as for the undergraduate and graduate student conducting competitions at the 2015 American Choral Directors Association national convention. In addition to her work with the NCC, Simpson served as assistant conductor for Tonality, a professional choral ensemble based in Los Angeles that focuses on using music to encourage conversations on social justice topics. She also performed with Tonality as a collaborative pianist and completed a term serving on its Board of Directors. Most recently, she prepared singers for collaborations with the Kronos Quartet for Michael Abels’ At War With Ourselves, and participated in a private performance for the Second Gentleman of the United States as well as administrators of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Cornell University, a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Texas State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music from the University of Southern California. While at Cornell, Simpson was one of two students selected as a chimesmaster to play the Cornell Chimes and continues to serve on its alumni advisory council to shape the future of this 150+ year musical tradition on campus.

Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake works as an award-winningconductor, composer/arranger, vocal contractor, singer, and music activist. Named Musical America’s 30 Professionals of the Year in 2019 and the Louis Botto Award for Innovative Actions and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America, Blake was featured in both the New York Times and Los Angeles Times for work in diversity and anti-racism within classical music. Blake is the Founding Artistic & Executive Director of Tonality, a GRAMMY® Award-winning choral ensemble focused on spreading a message of unity, peace, and social justice through a culturally diverse choral setting. His arrangements of Deep River and Poor Wayfaring Stranger are published by Alliance Music Publishing and Walton Music Publishing, respectively. Blake has also created arrangements for Kelly Clarkson and hip-hop artist, Big Sean. Other musical activities include an opera conducting premiere at the 2019 Prototype Festival in New York City and preparing choirs for the 2020 GRAMMY® Awards and the 2022 MLB All-Stars game. He also performed at the 92nd Academy Awards as well as in performances with Björk and Tiёsto. Recent film and TV credits include singing on the soundtracks of Jordan Peele’sUs, Disney’s Lion King and Marvel’s Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever, and wrote arrangements for HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife and Hulu’s The Other Black Girl. Blake also worked as the choral contractor and vocal arranger for Andy Grammer’s performance at the 2019 Radio Disney Awards. Blake completed the Doctorate in Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern California in 2019. He completed the Master of Music degree at the University of California Los Angeles in 2014 and the Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) in vocal performance at Wake Forest University in 2010.

Dr. Kristen Simpson was originally trained as a licensed civil engineer before pursuing advanced music degrees in choral music to facilitate a career change to music. She has taught courses at Santa Ana College, Texas State University and the University of Southern California. Prior to joining the NCC, Simpson was the assistant director and collaborative pianist at Villa Park High School, director of music at La Canada United Methodist Church, director of the Ebell Chorale, and co-conductor of choir at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). In addition to her work as a conductor, Dr. Simpson is well-known for her keyboard skills and has performed as a collaborative pianist at regional and national conventions for the American Choral Directors Association, as well as for the undergraduate and graduate student conducting competitions at the 2015 American Choral Directors Association national convention. In addition to her work with the NCC, Simpson served as assistant conductor for Tonality, a professional choral ensemble based in Los Angeles that focuses on using music to encourage conversations on social justice topics. She also performed with Tonality as a collaborative pianist and completed a term serving on its Board of Directors. Most recently, she prepared singers for collaborations with the Kronos Quartet for Michael Abels’ At War With Ourselves, and participated in a private performance for the Second Gentleman of the United States as well as administrators of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Cornell University, a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Texas State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music from the University of Southern California. While at Cornell, Simpson was one of two students selected as a chimesmaster to play the Cornell Chimes and continues to serve on its alumni advisory council to shape the future of this 150+ year musical tradition on campus.