Kari Gilbertson
Director of Choirs
kari.gilbertson@risd.org
Kari Gilbertson has been teaching choral music for the last 35 years. She has teaching experience at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. In 2013, Ms. Gilbertson was named the Head Choir Director at Lake Highlands High School. Prior to that, she spent 15 years at Forest Meadow Junior High and played an active role in many Lake Highlands Choir and Espree traditions throughout those years. During her tenure in Lake Highlands, she has directed many Sweepstakes and award winning choirs. She has also had the privilege of receiving such professional honors as “PTA Lifetime Member,” “PTA Teacher of Excellence,” and was “Secondary Teacher of the Year” for Richardson ISD in 2001.
Ms. Gilbertson has a Bachelor's Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. While there, she sang for Dr. René Clausen in The Concordia Choir for four years. She also has a Master's Degree in Music Education and Conducting from Southern Methodist University.
An active soloist, adjudicator, clinician, and consultant, Ms. Gilbertson is a Lead Author and Consultant on Hal Leonard/McGraw-Hill’s latest national choral textbook project, Voices in Concert. She is a member of ACDA, TCDA, TMAA, and TMEA. Most recently, Ms. Gilbertson completed a 2-year term as President of the Texas Choral Directors Association.
Jared Wade
Associate Director
jared.wade@risd.org
Jared Wade is in his 16th year of teaching and 11th year in the Lake Highlands Choir team as an Associate Director at Lake Highlands High School. He previously taught at high schools in Mesquite and Houston. Mr. Wade earned his Bachelor of Music from Texas State University - San Marcos where he sang with Chorale under the direction of Dr. Joey Martin.
Outside of class, Mr. Wade enjoys spending time with his wife, daughters, and their dogs, doing outdoorsy activities, and building and fixing things.
Kelly Moss
Associate Director
kelly.moss@risd.org
Kelly Moss is so very excited to begin her 4th year at Lake Highlands High School and her 18th year of teaching overall! She received a Bachelor's in Music Education from Sam Houston State University in 2008. During her time at Sam Houston, she was tremendously inspired by her director Dr. Allen Hightower and attributes to him a great deal of her passion towards teaching. After Ms. Moss graduated, she taught in Wylie for five years where she led a successful program that grew in numbers and integrity while earning a few Sweepstakes awards along the way.
Ms. Moss was selected as the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands Teacher of the Year in 2017 and 2020. She was also extremely honored to be named a STARS teacher for RISD during the 2020-2021 school year. Ms. Moss is an active member in TMEA, TCDA, and TMAA.
When she is not teaching, Ms. Moss loves reading and re-reading books (especially Harry Potter), leading worship at her church, watching episodes of The Office, and spending time with her wonderfully supportive friends and family.
