Faculty
SCMC School of Music Faculty
CYNDI BETTS, conductor, St. Cecilia Adult String Orchestra, received her degree in violin performance and music education from the University of Michigan. From 1991 to 2000 she directed the St. Cecilia Youth Concert Orchestra. She currently teaches strings for the Grand Rapids Christian Schools. An accomplished performer, she is currently the concertmaster of the Kent Philharmonic and has held that position since 1991.
CHRIS HANSEN, conductor, St. Cecilia Grand Band, holds degrees in music education, music theory and theatrical arts from Western Michigan University. He has a master’s degree in church music and worship leadership from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. From 1994 to 2006 he served as director of arts at Fair Haven in Hudsonville, Michigan. He currently freelances as a music composer and arranger as well as recording and producing commerial projects. He conducts the Horns of Power for Hark Up and has recently been appointed director of Jubal Brass.
SARA JAGER, conductor, Sinfonia, holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and violin performance and a master of music education from VanderCook College of Music. She has directed the orchestras at Hudsonville Christian and Unity Christian schools for seven years and has taught at clinics and workshops in the Grand Rapids area. A guest director at Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association string clinics and at many area schools, she has also been involved at Knollcrest Music Camp, American String Teachers Association Elementary String Camp, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
LISA KACOS, music theory instructor, received a bachelor of music in composition and theory and a master of music theory from Michigan State University. Her research interests include Neo-Riemannian theory and its applications to popular music.. S She has been playing trumpet for 15 years and has participated in many different types of ensembles.
DAVID KLEIN, conductor of Concert Band, has a bachelor of music from Michigan State University and a master of music education from VanderCook College of Music. Recognized as District Ten’s Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association’s Teacher of the Year, he has also received the Kent County Education Association’s Outstanding Teacher award. He currently teaches instrumental music at Byron Center West Middle School.
DR. MARK KOTCHENRUTHER, conductor of Concert Orchestra, holds a bachelor of music and a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Michigan and an M.A. from Ohio State University. He is on the conducting staff of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and the Knollcrest Music Camp. He is past president of the Michigan Chapter of the American String Teachers Association and currently teaches orchestra in the Forest Hills School District.
DAN SCOTT, conductor of Philharmonic, holds a bachelor of music degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in technology education from Grand Valley State University. As a cellist he has performed with the West Shore Symphony, Signature String Quartet and numerous other orchestras and for special events. Dan is currently the orchestra director for Jenison High School.
