Connection through choral music

Image by Jamie Love Photography

Image by Jamie Love Photography

Katie O’Connor-Ballantyne is Associate Editor of Choral and Classroom Publications at Alfred Music Publishing. Her choral music is published by Alfred Music Publishing and Heritage Music Press. She is the author of Harmony Handbook: Resources and Repertoire for Developing Treble Choirs and Finding Your Teacher Voice: A Guide to Choral Pedagogy. In November 2016, her From Shale Rock We Rise was featured in her talk at the TEDxChemungRiver conference, titled "Yes, No, And: Three Words for a Creative and Purposeful Life."

An active clinician and music educator, Ms. O’Connor-Ballantyne served as instructor at the Ithaca College School of Music from 2016-2019 and is a popular guest conductor at choral festivals throughout New York State. In 2016, she was appointed as the new Artistic Director of the Ithaca Children and Youth Chorus, following the departure of founding director Dr. Janet Galvan. Ms. O’Connor-Ballantyne is also the owner/founder of Forte Music Editing, which provides music editing, engraving, and proofing services for music publishers and independent composers throughout the country. She is a frequent contributor to music education publications, including Activate! magazine.

Previously, Ms. O’Connor-Ballantyne taught choral music and theater at Johnson City High School in upstate New York, which received repeated national recognition as a Grammy Signature School and a Best Community for Music Education during her tenure. A graduate of Ithaca College and the Irish World Music Centre, she holds degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance, as well as Chant and Ritual Song.