Artistic Director
Dr. Jackson Thomas, originally from Carrollton, MO, 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.
Choral Assistant
Gaby Moore, originally from Warrensburg, MO, is a music educator, conductor, and soprano. She got her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education from the University of Central Missouri. Now working in the North Kansas City School District, she started her professional career at La Monte R-IV teaching General Music, Band, Choir, and Theatre. While there, she received the New Teacher of the Year, along with several Certificates of Recognition for her work growing the music program. Along with working with the Northland Community Choir, she is one of the directors of the North Kansas City 5th and 6th Grade Honor Choir. Gaby holds membership with the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and the Missouri Music Educators Association. She held offices as the secretary and president of the UCM chapter of NAfME-Collegiate, and as the webmaster of the Missouri chapter. Additionally, she held the office of president for the UCM chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Collaborative Pianist
Nanette Kraus is at her musical best when collaborating as a pianist and singer. From accompanying musicians at KU and Baker University, to school, community, regional, and state honor choirs, Nanette enjoys working with each age and stage in the musical process. As an alto, Nanette has sung with KC VITAs and Te Deum Chamber Choirs and serves on Te Deum's Advisory Board. A native Kansan, Nanette earned degrees from Bethany College and the University of Kansas. Her accompaniment arrangements have been published by Transcontinental Music Publications.
