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Larry Griffin, Artistic Director
Larry Griffin, co-founding and artistic director of Capriccio! holds a Master of Music degree from The Ohio State University where he studied conducting with Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University, and has done graduate work at Ohio State and Wright State Universities.
Larry has been Director of Choral Music at Worthington Kilbourne High School since its opening in 1991. He is also a staff singer at the Worthington United Methodist Church. He has also been director of Vaud-Villities (2001-2003).
He is active in the Ohio Music Educators Association, having served as president, and annually participates in OMEA events as an adjudicator, director of honors choir festivals, and clinician. The Columbus Symphony Orchestra recognized Larry for his skills in choral conducting and teaching by presenting him with the 2005 Secondary School Music Educator Award.
Karrie Horton, Associate Director
A native of Westerville, Karrie Horton has been Director of Vocal Music at New Albany High School for the past 13 years and musical theater vocal coach at St. Charles Preparatory since 1991. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from The Ohio State University, and her Masters from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. She has continued with graduate work in Theatre Education at Akron University. Karrie is a member of the Ohio Music Educators Association, as well as the Ohio Choral Directors Association.
Karrie is familiar to many in Columbus as soprano soloist at St. Joseph Cathedral, as former director of Worthington Songsters, and as lead singer for Buckeye Brass, a jazz band. Her singing experience ranges from the Opera Columbus stage to commercial jingles to back-up vocals in concerts for Celine Dion, Gladys Knight, and Marvin Hamlisch.
James Kucera, Accompanist
After receiving his bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music under Nelita True, James Kucera attended the California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles. During this time, he was the recipient of several awards, including the first prize in the national Elizabeth Harper Vaughn Concerto Competition in Kingsport, Tennessee. He has also taught at Plaza de la Raza, a performing arts school for young students in the greater Los Angeles area. James currently performs and teaches in various venues in Columbus, serving as the pianist for the Mountview Baptist Church in Upper Arlington and as an accompanist for SNAP!, a musical revue group.
Alyson Bates, Co-Director of Capriccio! Youth Choirs
Alyson Bates holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree (Otterbein College) as well as a Master in Educational Administration (Ashland University). Alyson has taught vocal and instrumental music in public schools as well as private piano lessons throughout Ohio, most recently in Worthington. She is currently also the music director for the Worthington Kilbourne High School musical. Alyson has been a staff member for a number of childrens choirs, including Kinderchor of Ohio and Con Brio! Children & Youth Choirs. She is a member of the Ohio Music Educators Association and the Ohio Choral Directors Association.