Artistic Director

Originally, Jackson Thomas from Carrollton, MO. Dr. Jackson Thomas is a conductor, composer, tenor, and clinician residing in Kansas City. MO. Jackson is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Missouri (a role he has held since 2021) where he previously served as the Assistant Director of Choral Activities/Opera Director. Jackson is the Founder and Artistic Director of KC VITAs (kcvitas.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the continued creation and performance of “contemporary-classical” vocal music, bringing nearly 100 world premiere performances to Kansas City audiences since 2015. He has held elementary, middle, and high school teaching positions in the Park Hill School District, Kansas City Public Schools, Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, and at the Pembroke Hill Upper School. Jackson serves as Director of Choral Music at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Lenexa, KS where he has directed the Chancel Choir, Orchestra, and Bell Choir since 2015.  He is an active soloist of classical and musical theatre repertoire, sings with several ensembles around the KC metropolitan area, and maintains a private voice and piano studio. He holds degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Vocal Performance and German and the University of Kansas where he received his M.M. and D.M.A in Choral Conducting. Jackson’s research centers around composer-conductor collaboration, inclusivity, and the pedagogy of minimalist and extended vocal techniques. You can find his compositions on MusicSpoke.com or on his website, jacksoncthomas.com. 

 Kyle R. Trombley has been involved in the performing arts as a Conductor, Collaborative Pianist, and Baritone, with accolades that span North America, Europe, and Australia. He has extensive experience in semi-professional work, performing in local halls and theatres throughout New England, and professional work inclusive of score arrangements for Broadway musicals (notably: Me, Myself and Jill, Session Girls) to performances at highlight venues such as the Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall (US), Münsterkirche St. Alexandri (DE), Guildhall (IE/UK), and the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall (AU). Kyle is a First Prize winner in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Upper College-Age Classical Division, recognized New Hampshire Art Scholar and member of the National Music, Computer Science, and World Language Honors Societies. He is most known for his active musicianship and performances with Monadnock Music, Zenith Ensemble, Keene Jazz Orchestra, Monadnock Wind Ensemble, New Hampshire Philharmonic, Raylynmor Opera Co., Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs, MoCo Arts, New Hampshire Dance Institute (NHDI), and other community groups alike. He earned both his Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Music from Keene State College, and is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Additionally, Kyle holds memberships with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and the American Guild of Organists (AGO). 

 Anna (Annie) Christine Elmore is in her fourth year at the University of Missouri- Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory  in Kansas City, Missouri where she is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Music Education with an emphasis in voice. She was recently accepted into the 2024-2025 Girls who Conduct High School/Collegiate Mentorship Program under the direction of Dr. Kaitlin Bove (Diablo Valley College, BD Winds) and Tanatchaya (Tanya) Chanphanitpornkit (Manhattan School of Music Precollege Faculty, New York Youth Symphony). She studies choral conducting under the direction of Dr. Charles Robinson and Dr. Jennifer Sengin as well as instrumental conducting under the direction of Dr. Joseph Parisi. She is the current secretary for UMKC’s NAFME-C chapter and stays involved around her university’s campus. During her time at UMKC Annie has been a part of various choirs including the Conservatory Singers, the Conservatory Concert Choir, the Chamber Singers and the Choral Union. Annie has gained experience in administrative arts roles through her internship with the UMKC Conservatory Academy as well as her previous work in the Conservatory’s admissions office as an ambassador to the school.