ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Donald R. Kirkindoll
A native of Texas, Don Kirkindoll completed high school in Franklin, NC, earned the Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Centenary College of Louisiana, and the Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of South Carolina. An experienced vocalist, Kirkindoll has performed in concerts from the White House to Europe and South Africa, as well as extensively throughout the southeastern United States. He sang with the Greenville Chorale and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra in the World Premier performance of Lux: The Dawn from On High by Dan Forrest.
Kirkindoll has directed music programs/ministries and choirs of all ages in churches, schools, and community organizations for the last twenty-five years. Choirs under his direction have performed concerts in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and in churches and cathedrals throughout England and Scotland. In August 2022, he became the Director of Music and Worship Arts for the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, NC. Don lives in Clyde, NC with his wife and best friend, Kriss, and their teenager, Nat.
PREVIOUS DIRECTORS
Director Emerita
Kathy Geyer McNeil was Director of the Haywood Choral Society from 2016 until December 2022 and was their accompanist from 2013 until she assumed the Director’s role. She was also Assistant Director of Music and Worship Arts and Organist at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, Organist for Lake Junaluska Conference Center, and Associate Director and Accompanist of the Lake Junaluska Singers. She received her Bachelor of Music in Education and her Master of Music in Organ Performance from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ.
Kathy Geyer McNeil passed away in December of 2022, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Her zest for life, her determination, and her love and desire to share music will be greatly missed by the Haywood Choral Society membership, her fellow musicians. and the Haywood County North Carolina community.
David Trayhnam 2003 – 2015
David Traynham was director of the Haywood Community Chorus from 2003 until 2015. Graduating from Gardner Webb University, David went on to East Carolina, obtaining a degree in Vocal Performance, then to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for a Music Education degree. He was the choral music director at Tuscola High School from 1978 until 2000, earning him a Teacher of the Year award. He built the choral music program at Tuscola into an award winning group and inspired many students during his tenure. Traynham was also Director of Music and Worship Arts at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, NC. .
J. William Stephenson 1997 – 2003
Bill Stepehnson and his wife Katy were among the original founders of the then Junaluska Community Chorus. Bill directed and his wife Katy was the chorus’ accompanist. Bill was a graduate of Westminister Choir College, Princeton, NJ. His career as a music minister spanned over 60 years.
