About Katy Kristoffersen (Mrs. K)
Katy is a passionate educator with over 20 years experience in creative leadership. She is deeply energized by the connections and relationships that arise in her roles as an educator, musician, composer, conductor, mindfulness teacher, and creative cheerleader. She thrives on building creative, mindful experiences by leveraging the gifts and energy of those around her. For Katy, compassion and self-growth are fundamental to her educational experiences. She not only models this to her students, but is also constantly tending to her own growth.
Katy’s mission harbors a culture and a vision – embodied by the teacher, to learn and to teach. To see and to be seen. It is her role to elevate each student through high-expectations, creativity, passion, authenticity, and love. Each of these important principles act as light-houses, guiding her choices and energy. These principles have led Katy and her family to Ridgway, where they thrive in the mountain air!
Here are just some of the formative pieces of Katy’s fun, wild-ride career, which continue to influence each of the Ridgway Creative Arts offerings:
- Katy is the Choral Conductor of the Valley Symphony Chorus
- She has written original works for the chorus and orchestra and is currently in the process of publishing several of her pieces!
- Katy is an educator, director, and mindfulness coach
- She has directed hundreds of kids in children’s choirs in Ridgway, Denver, and Cincinnati
- She has directed, choreographed, and composed original music for multiple musicals in Ridgway, Denver, and Cincinnati
- She has created and directed a creativity retreat for adults
- She has taught pre-kindergarten to eighth grade general music and choral music
- She has been sought-out to accompany multiple professional artists
- She is the current music director at the United Church of the San Juans
- She has written a mindfulness course and presented it to major national corporations, government agencies, and law enforcement
- Katy adores art – mostly drawing and painting, and is always playing around with her craft and trying new things
- Katy is also a certified yoga instructor. She regularly integrates these skills and techniques in her lessons and director roles
