Dr. Ford directing one of the choirs at Sienna Heights – Photo by shu.sic instagram
A new director: Dr. Kelly Ford
By: Ashlyn Armock, Arts Editor
Dr. Kelly Ford was hired by Aquinas college as the new director of choral studies at the start of the semester. Due to the recent closure of Sienna Heights where Dr. Ford was previously employed, he has since been hired here. Dr. Ford is now in his 36th year of teaching with 20 years within the public school system and 16 in higher education.
As the new semester starts, Dr Ford states that he wants to be able to help with growing the music department. “My short-term goals are to be able to offer my help to an already successful choir program,” Dr. Ford said. “And then my long term goals are to help us expand those. I’d like to see numbers increase and get more students involved.”
Dr. Ford and another facility member from Sienna Heights – Photo by shu.sic instagram
Throughout the year, Dr Ford’s goals are not only to see growth within the department, but also to create more offerings for students. “I’m teaching additional classes [outside of the choral groups] like musicianship and conducting,” Dr. Ford said. “I’ve even been asking about some courses and whether they’re offered or not. For example, ‘do we have a diction for singing class, specifically?’ and things like that.”
Dr Ford, who is currently living an hour-and-a-half away from Aquinas and staying with a family member, is ready to move into the nearby area. “I’m still living kind of in two worlds,” Dr Ford said. “I’m excited to get my wife and the rest of us moved over here full time. I feel like I’m 99% here right now, and I’d like to be 120%.”
“So it’s the biggest cliché in the world to say everybody’s been so friendly and welcoming,” Dr Ford said while talking about the students. “But they seriously have been so friendly and welcoming. And that’s refreshing. And I think students mean it…And there’s a lot of talent here. There’s a lot of students that just want to be a part of something great. And I’m looking forward to being even more and more involved.”
The Saint 