Kristina Ploeger-Hekmatpanah is currently a full-time Associate Professor, serving as Director of Choral Activities at Eastern Washington University, and Artistic Director of the Spokane Area Youth Choirs (formerly the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus). Previously in Spokane, Kristina taught Choral Methods at Gonzaga University and observed student teachers for Whitworth College as well as teaching 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, she taught at Everett High School, Ephrata High School, and AC Davis High School.
A member of ACDA, NAfME, and WMEA, Kristina has served on the WA ACDA Board in the multi-cultural, children’s chorus, university and jazz R&S positions. Directing Honor Groups and All-State Choirs in Washington, Oregon and Kentucky has given her the chance to work with a wonderful array of choristers and directors. In 2005, Kristina was awarded the “Arts in Education Award” by the Spokane Arts Commission of the City of Spokane. In 2009, she was awarded Spokane’s “YWCA Woman of Achievement in Arts and Culture Award.” And, in 2010 the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus, directed by Kristina, won the “Arts Organization Award” from the Spokane Arts Commission.