Dr. Kristina Ploeger-Hekmatpanah is a Full Professor of Music serving as Director of Choral Activities at Eastern Washington University. She has earned degrees from Edmonds Community College (AAS), Central Washington University (BME), Eastern Washington University (MM), and the University of Kentucky (DMA). She was the Artistic Director of the Spokane Area Youth Choirs (2002-2015), and the Director of Spokane Symphony’s Chorale & Chamber Choir (2015-2022). Previously in Spokane, Kristina taught Choral Methods at Gonzaga University, observed student teachers for Whitworth College, and taught Middle School Choir at St. George’s School and High School Choir at West Valley High School in the Spokane Valley.
Before moving to the Spokane area in 1999, she taught at Everett HS, Ephrata HS, and AC Davis HS. Kristina has served on the WA ACDA Board as an R& S chair in world music, children’s chorus, university, and jazz, and is the current President-Elect of WA ACDA. She has presented numerous times for state and all-northwest MENC/WMEA conventions and nine WA-ACDA Summer Institutes. Directing Honor Groups and All-State Choirs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Kentucky from Elementary through High School levels has given her the chance to work with a wonderful array of choristers and directors. The Spokane Arts Commission of the City of Spokane has awarded Kristina the “Arts in Education Award,” and the “Arts Organization Award” for her work with the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus. Kristina was also awarded Spokane’s “YWCA Woman of Achievement in Arts and Culture Award.”