Kristen Thompson, Director
Since 2002, the Monterey Bay Belles have been skillfully directed by accomplished musician, Kristen Thompson. She has a BA in Music Performance in Percussion and an MA in Choral Conducting, both from San Jose State University. She has served on the faculties of both public and private schools in Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties and currently teaches general music, choir and band at Buena Vista Middle School and Spreckels Elementary in Salinas, California. In addition to directing the Bay Belles, Kristen also directs the Cypressaires Men's Barbershop Chorus in Monterey.
Kristen became involved in barbershopping twenty years ago when a men's quartet came to sing at the high school where she was teaching. Shortly after, she took the position of director for the Surf City Sweet Adelines chorus in Santa Cruz. After moving to the Monterey Peninsula, she co-founded our group and was hired as our director. She completed her Barbershop Director Certification program shortly thereafter.
Kristen enjoys directing barbershop harmony because it brings together women of all ages and levels of musicianship...locking and ringing perfect chords is worth striving for everytime. She brings love, fun, energy, high expectations and quality instruction to every rehearsal.
In addition to preparing, rehearsing and performing the chorus and teaching school, Kristen enjoys reading, hiking, disc golf and singing lead in Vocal Point. www.vocalpointquartet.blogspot.com
