2027 Guest Teacher-Conductor
Dr. Kelly Miller
University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
Kelly A. Miller is an Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Central Florida where she conducts the SoAl (Soprano/Alto) Chorus, SoAl Ensemble, TeBa (Tenor/Bass) Chorus, and the UCF Community Choir. While at UCF, she has taught introduction to music education, secondary choral methods I and II, music learning theory and assessment, beginning conducting, choral conducting, music and students with exceptionalities, vocal techniques, and graduate classes in music education, while coordinating and supervising student teachers through their junior and senior clinical internships.
Prior to her appointment at UCF, Miller taught at Western Illinois University as Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education, where she conducted the Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. She conducted the Women’s Glee Club at Michigan State University for three years and taught choral music at the high school level for thirteen years in Michigan, Florida, and Nebraska. While in Orlando, Dr. Miller founded the choral/vocal program at Timber Creek High School, served as District 8 Chair for the Florida Vocal Association, and received her National Board Certification in secondary choral music. Before directing choirs, Miller was a concert band director for grades five through twelve, instructing marching and jazz bands, music theory, and elementary general music in Nebraska.
In addition to her choral directing and teaching, she has maintained a private voice studio and is in demand to lead choral workshops on the choral/instrumental director as voice teacher, leadership, assessment, choosing choral repertoire and running effective rehearsals, creating artistry, student and teacher resiliency, student ownership, communication, and team building. Dr. Miller frequently serves as a clinician and festival adjudicator. She has been invited to conduct regional and state honor choirs and present conference and clinic sessions in Portugal, Ireland, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Nevada, Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, Hawaii, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New York, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Florida, and Michigan. Dr. Miller has performed at state, divisional, and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and at the Nebraska Music Educators Association Convention.
The Florida Vocal Association (FVA) honored Dr. Miller with the 2025 FVA Service Award to recognize her contribution of time, energy, and expertise that support choral music organizations and their students and teachers in Florida’s secondary schools. In 2022, the Florida American Choral Director Association awarded her the Wayne Hugoboom Distinguished Service Award for Dedicated Service, Leadership, and Consistent Examples of Excellence in Choral Music in Florida, the highest award given to a choral director in the state of Florida, and the Florida Music Educator Association named her the 2022 Collegiate Music Educator of the Year.She is a Past-President of the Florida American Choral Directors Association, and she is a currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Music Director. Dr. Miller is a Mezzo-soprano soloist, having performed at Carnegie Hall and is a member of the professional women’s choral ensemble, mirabai.
Miller holds the D.M.A. degree in choral conducting from Michigan State University, the M.M. degree in music education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and the B.A. degree in music education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
2027 Collaborative Pianist
Rhonda Kwiecien
We are pleased to announce the return of Rhonda Kwiecien of Carroll University as the 2027 NextDirection collaborative pianist!!
Rhonda Kwiecien is a widely recognized and highly respected collaborative pianist in the greater Milwaukee area. In her 27th year at Carroll University, where she is the senior member of the collaborative piano team, she works with students, colleagues, and choral ensembles presenting recitals and concerts. Rhonda also serves as the University Organist, playing for convocations, Baccalaureate, and other special events.
In addition to her position with Carroll University, Mrs. Kwiecien is the Keyboard Artist for First Congregational Church in Wauwatosa and the Collaborative Pianist for the Choral Music Department of Muskego High School. She has shared the stage with featured ensembles from Muskego at several choral conventions.
During her career, Rhonda has worked with and premiered compositions by renowned composers Vijay Singh, Joseph Martin, Craig Hella Johnson, Eric Barnum, Jim Bassi, Robert Harris, Paula Foley Tillen, and Zachary Moore. As a pianist for the Wisconsin NATS competitions, she has traveled state-wide to play for both semi-finalists and finalists. Mrs. Kwiecien is also a board member for the Brew City Opera in Milwaukee. She and her husband are long-time residents of Waukesha.
Rhonda Kwiecien is a widely recognized and highly respected collaborative pianist in the greater Milwaukee area. In her 27th year at Carroll University, where she is the senior member of the collaborative piano team, she works with students, colleagues, and choral ensembles presenting recitals and concerts. Rhonda also serves as the University Organist, playing for convocations, Baccalaureate, and other special events.
In addition to her position with Carroll University, Mrs. Kwiecien is the Keyboard Artist for First Congregational Church in Wauwatosa and the Collaborative Pianist for the Choral Music Department of Muskego High School. She has shared the stage with featured ensembles from Muskego at several choral conventions.
During her career, Rhonda has worked with and premiered compositions by renowned composers Vijay Singh, Joseph Martin, Craig Hella Johnson, Eric Barnum, Jim Bassi, Robert Harris, Paula Foley Tillen, and Zachary Moore. As a pianist for the Wisconsin NATS competitions, she has traveled state-wide to play for both semi-finalists and finalists. Mrs. Kwiecien is also a board member for the Brew City Opera in Milwaukee. She and her husband are long-time residents of Waukesha.
