Directors and Faculty
Taylor High School Choir
Directors
Kevin Riehle
Director of Choral ActivitiesEmail: kevinrriehle@katyisd.org
Kevin Riehle came to Taylor H.S. in February 2008 as director of choral activities, and in 2009 was named chair of the Fine Arts Department. He brings a wealth of experience to the classroom from the professional music world. He is the founding artistic director of the acclaimed professional chamber choir CANTARE Houston and the director of the St. Martin's Choir of St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Houston. This interface of education and professional music-making provides a unique environment for learning in the Taylor Choir hall.
Though coming to public school teaching relatively late in his career, he has always been a teacher. His teaching career includes Tyler Junior College (Tyler, TX) and Houston Baptist University. He has directed music and fine arts programs in prominent congregations throughout Texas, and has served as clinician, guest conductor, consultant and vocal instructor throughout the country. His students have take high honors at solo and ensemble contests and have regularly achieved All-State Choir membership. He consistently produces sweepstakes-winning choirs and his ensembles have performed in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, Washington DC’s National Cathedral, Colonial Williamsburg, the great cathedrals and halls of England and Europe. In 2001, he made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut with Beethoven's Mass in C Major. He returned in 2003 and 2010 to conduct Te Deums by Haydn and Holst, and Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass. The latter performance took place with over one hundred members of the Taylor choir department. On three separate occasions, Kevin was selected to participate in the Robert Shaw Choral Workshops at Carnegie Hall.
Kevin is a published composer and arranger with Oxford University Press, Choristers Guild, Abingdon Press and Alliance Music Publications. His compositions have found a regular place in the repertoire of choruses of all ages in the US and abroad.
He holds degrees from Southern Methodist University and Ohio Northern University, has done post-graduate work at Texas Tech University, and has completed all coursework for the Doctor of Music Arts degree at the University of Houston.
“Papa Riehle,” as his students refer to him, is married to Norma Riehle, a graphic designer and web designer and together they have six children and stepchildren and one grandchild. Their youngest, Mitchell Wallace, is an active member of both the Taylor choir and band.
Kristin Likos
Assistant Director of Choral ActivitiesEmail: kristinllikos@katyisd.org
As Assistant Director of Choral Activities, Kristin Likos directs Cantilena, Concert Women, Camerata, and teaches AP Music Theory. Mrs. Likos' choirs consistently receive superior ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading competition and at festivals. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Studies with honors from the University of Texas. While at the University, she studied piano with David Renner and conducting with Dr. Suzanne Pence. Her training as a piano principal combined with secondary vocal instruction and extensive choral experience allows Mrs. Likos to be very versatile in the choral classroom. In her spare time, Mrs. Likos enjoys singing with CANTARE Houston with her husband, who is also a choral director.
A native Houstonian, Mrs. Likos is excited to be a part of Katy ISD, and is looking forward to continuing the strong choral tradition at Taylor High School. She is a member of TMEA, TCDA, and MENC.
Voice Faculty
Dennis Arrowsmith, Ashley Brooks, Jana Ellsworth, Samuel SchultzAccompanists
