Kathleen McKinley grew up in Camarillo where she was always involved in music, studying piano, flute and voice. She received her BA in piano performance from California Lutheran University. After graduation she worked as a student/faculty accompanist at CLU while continuing to take graduate courses in music education.
Kathleen worked for 32 years for the Conejo Valley Union School District at Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks. She served as accompanist and assistant choral director for the school's seven award winning choirs. She has performed extensively throughout the United States with the Westlake choirs. The highlight of her time there was traveling to Australia to perform on the Sydney Opera House stage.
Kathleen was also on staff as Director of Choral Ministries at the Camarillo Evangelical Free Church (now known as Chapel City Church) for over 30 years. She was church accompanist, service pianist and director of the adult, youth and children's choirs.
Kathleen has enjoyed teaching piano lessons for 30+ years and loves sharing her passion for music with students of all ages.