Staff

Founder and Music Director

K. (Kim) Stuart Smith

Mr. Smith is Associate Professor of Computer Science at Rocky Mountain College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York and a Master of Science from the University of Colorado. Growing up in a small rural village in northern New York, he recalls no time since the fourth grade during which he was not involved in community based and/or school centered musical ensembles and theatre productions, a passion that has remained an important part of his life. Following college, he sang with a semi-professional chorale on the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's "Main Line". Since moving to Billings in 2002 to take a position at the College where he is an Associate Professor of Computer Science, Kim has been an occassional member of the Rocky Mountain College Choir, directed by Dr. Steven Hart, which he considers one of the greatest learning experiences of his life.

He has directed church choirs of youth and adults in Phoenix, Omaha and Billings and has arranged and composed music for those ensembles. Mr. Smith is a member of the Choristers Guild and the American Choral Directors Association.

Kim enjoyed 18 nearly continuous years working with boys and young men in church-based youth organizations and the Boy Scouts of America with which he has served as a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and Varsity Scout Coach. In addition to his responsibilities at the College and with the Billings BoyChoir, Mr. Smith teaches introductory computer science for the Christian Home Educator's Coop.

Accompanist

Natalie Wardell

Natalie Wardell comes from a family of musicians including a great-grandmother and grandfather who played in bands in the early 1930's. Natalie was born and raised in Wyoming. She took piano lessons for eight years. Her career as an accompanist began at age ten, playing for the sixth grade music class. Natalie has played for various soloists, church, and school choirs through the years as well as playing for the school musicals Annie and Give My Regards to Broadway. She plays an assortment of other instruments including the baritone saxophone while in college. She is married with four daughters and one grandson.

Assistant Director

Melodi Drake

Melodi Drake holds a Bachelors of Elementary Education with a minor in music from Northern Montana College in Havre, and a Masters degree in Social Work for Walla Walla University. She taught music in the public schools of the High Line for six years before returning to Billings in 1995. She is Chancel Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church and is the developing the Home School Music Program, teaching both choral and instrumental music. She and her husband, Bob, have been married for 23 years and have four children.

Melodi looks after the treble voices of the Billings BoyChoir, helping the young choristers make the most of their vocal gifts, and provides training in music reading and appreciation.

Assistant Accompanist

Cristi Hunnes

Cristi Hunnes is Professor of Biochemistry at Rocky Mountain College as well as being a talented flutist and pianist. Cristi and her husband Jeff are the parents of three children, including two founding Choristers of the Billings BoyChoir. Cristi accompanies special ensemble numbers with piano and flute and assists with sectional rehearsals. The Billings BoyChoir is grateful for her help.

Choir Vocal Coach

Ahna Chevalier

Ahna Chevalier is a student at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, where she is completing her degree in music and voice. Ahna has been "singing since she could walk," and has performed as a member of many choirs and other vocal ensembles. She has been a soloist at her church, the Billings "Festival of Trees" and for other venues. Ahna has been chosen three times to participate as a soloist in the College of Southern Idaho Honors Rectial.

Ahna is a member of the National Association for Music Education and assists the Billings BoyChoir by provding weekly small-group voice lessons for the choristers.

Advisor to the Choir

Alice Lyon

Alice Lyon arrived in Billings in 1952, a recent graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul MN. Since then she has taught music in Billings and Lockwood Schools, directed choirs in four local churches and was founder of the Community Youth Chorale which she directed for 25 years.

Alice continues to direct youth choirs at First United Methodist Church in Billings. She also directs the Rocky Mountain College Peace Institute's Youth Peace Choir.

Drawing on her unmatched experience with children and youth choirs, Alice Lyon leads us right when we would otherwise stray.

Operations Coordinator

Myrna Hammer

Myrna Hammer keeps everything running—really—so that the rest of the staff can relax. Myrna is a mom with a great family and years of leadership experience with church and community organizations.

While the boys are rehearsing, touring and performing, Myrna coordinates the "(not really) behind the scenes" activities of the numerous volunteers required to make the Billings BoyChoir a success. She deals with everything from the mundane (like arranging for rehearsal chaperones) to more unusual needs (such as finding wardrobe designers). publicity, fund-raising, scheduling tours, and just about everything else that falls someplace in between.