Ryan Main
Artistic Director, Director of Youth Chorus of Kansas City, YCKC Intermezzo

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Director, educator, and composer, Ryan Main has been leading choirs of all ages for nearly 15 years. Currently the Director of Music at Village Presbyterian Church on Antioch, Ryan previously served as Director of Choirs at Van Horn High School and Nowlin Middle School in Independence, MO. Under his leadership, both choir programs were transformed, growing by hundreds of students. His choirs regularly earned superior ratings at all grade levels and were honored with a distinguished performance at the 2016 American Choral Director's Association Southwest regional conference at the Kauffman Center.

​Ryan holds a Masters of Music in Music Education and a Masters of Music in Music Composition from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from the University of Missouri - Kansas City's Conservatory of Music and Dance.

An award winning composer, Ryan's music has been published by Wingert Jones Publishers and performed internationally. His compositions have earned two Editor’s Choice distinctions from JW Pepper, and have been performed at honor choir events, honor band events, and conferences around the nation.

​Jana Houston
 Director of YCKC Singers, Voice Specialist, Literacy Teacher

Jana Houston teaches 7th and 8th grade choir at Hocker Grove Middle School in the Shawnee Mission School District. She has taught in public schools since 2014, previously serving the students at Argentine Middle School in Kansas City, Kansas. Jana earned her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2014 and is currently in course work for a Masters in Music Education and Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Kansas.

Dan Rasmussen
Assistant Director of Youth Chorus of Kansas City, Literacy Teacher

Dan Rasmussen is the Director of Choirs at Liberty Middle School. He teaches 6th-8th grade chorus and assists with musicals, plays and vocal ensembles districtwide. He completed his undergraduate work at Northwest Missouri State University receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting.  Dan is a proud member of the Barbershop Harmony Society competing in both barbershop quartets and choruses. 

​Bethany Unruh
Director of YCKC Prelude, Voice Specialist, Literacy Teacher

Bethany Unruh teaches general music at Manchester Park Elementary in the Olathe School District, serving students aged K-5. At Manchester Park, she directs the Special Chorus, a group of over 90 dedicated 4th and 5th graders. This group was recently selected to perform at the 2020 KMEA State Convention in Wichita, KS. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Conservatory of Music and Dance, where she received a Bachelor's of Music Education. 
Other Artistic Staff
Chad Willis  l  Collaborative Pianist of YCKC Prelude, YCKC Singers
​Charles Tsui l  Collaborative Pianist of YCKC Intermezzo, Youth Chorus of Kansas City

Executive Staff
Shannon Solis  l  Executive Assistant
Kate Zrust  l  Executive Assistant 

Board of Directors
​Judy Frame  l  President
Kerstin Deppe  l  Treasurer
Kim Sirridge  l  Secretary
Ryan Main
Beth Savidge
Amanda Mueller
Tami Morrow
Barb Jaekel
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