Jeffrey Kitson, a Michigan native and rogue choral conductor/composer, currently resides in Nebraska where he teaches music at Central Community College-Columbus. In his capacity as a teacher, Mr. Kitson directs the College Chorus and Spectrum (small ensemble), and teaches courses in music theory, voice, piano, composition and songwriting, and musical theatre.

Under Mr. Kitson’s leadership, Spectrum was selected to perform for the 2008 Nebraska Music Educators Conference in Lincoln. They are the first and only two year college to ever be chosen. In March 2009, Mr. Kitson traveled to Oklahoma City to present “From Zero to Sixty: Recruting and Revitalizing in the Two Year College” to the American Choral Directors Association national conference.

As a composer, his published compositions include his Trio No.1 for clarinet, violin, and piano and Breakfast Serial for tenor saxophone and piano. His first opera, The Cop and the Anthem, is based on the short story of O. Henry by the same name. He also has an interest in the composition of electroacoustic music. His commissions include pieces for Reid Elementary School (Drum Song, 2006) in Grand Blanc, MI using funds from Bridges to the Future Federal Grant, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church (A Soldier Marches Onward…, 2005) in Rochester, MI, and individual musicians seeking to expand their repertoire in new music.

Mr. Kitson has a great love for both writing and conducting opera and musical theatre. He made his debut on the podium in the summer of 1999 with The 1940′s Radio Hour with Fenton Village Players. Other appearances with the Players include The Wizard of Oz (2002) and Too Darn Hot! featuring the music of Cole Porter (2003), Annie (2004), The Sound of Music (2005) and Once Upon A Mattress (2006). Since moving to Nebraska, Mr. Kitson has headed up both Grease (2007), and Songs for a New World (2009) with the Theatre Department at CCC.

Previously, he held the position of Instructor of Music Technology at the prestigious Flint Institute of Music in Flint, Michigan, where he taught classes in music fundamentals, songwriting and advanced studies in electroacoustic composition. In addition to ACDA, Mr. Kitson has presented for the Nebraska Music Educators Association,  the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, and has published an article in East Village Magazine.

Mr. Kitson holds B.M. (composition/music theory) and M.M. (composition) degrees from Michigan State University.