Carisa Niemeyer

Ms. Niemeyer is currently in her fifth year as the Head Director of Choirs at Forest Meadow Junior High in the Richardson ISD, serving previously as associate director for five years. In addition to directing choirs at Forest Meadow, Ms. Niemeyer works with colleagues and choirs at Lake Highlands High School, Lake Highlands Freshman Center, and the area elementary schools. On her campus, Ms. Niemeyer is the NJHS sponsor, a mentor teacher, and was selected as Teacher of the Month in 2009 and FMJH PTA’s Teacher Excellence for the 2012-2013 school year. In addition, Ms. Niemeyer was humbled and honored to be named a STARS teacher for RISD the 2014-2015 school year.

Ms. Niemeyer holds a BBA in Finance, Summa Cum Laude, and BA in Music, Summa Cum Laude, from Texas Tech University. While at Texas Tech, she was a member of University Choir as well as Madrigal Singers and was selected to be an Ambassador for the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Beyond her collegiate studies, Ms. Niemeyer has completed all four levels of coursework for her Kodály Certification at the West Texas Kodály Institute and is a member of TMEA and the Secretary/Treasurer of TCDA.

Katie Richardson

Miss Richardson is going into her 6th year of teaching middle school choir after teaching for five years in Houston, TX. A Houston native, she graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. in Music Education where she was a part of the world renowned Moore's School of Music Concert Chorale. Her passion for music was fueled by an amazing middle school teacher, and through competing in various Texas singing competitions through high school. She received the honor of participating in the Texas Music Educator's Association All-State Choir for three consecutive years and was asked to join the Houston Grand Opera's High School Voice Studio. Since then, Miss Richardson has gone on to judge for several vocal competitions around Houston, sings professionally, presents workshops, and has led choirs to success at UIL competitions. Miss Richardson's heart not only belongs to music making, but also to nurturing our future generations. She is excited to explore her new city and marry her wonderful fiancé (and in January, she'll be Mrs. Adams).
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Kirsten is married to "the boy next door," husband Matthew; they have an adorable and busy 1.5 year old daughter, Hannah!   Their house is also filled with fur babies- sweet cat Riley, and two very rambunctious rescue kittens Winston & Maggie.