Christy Elsner

Fellow of the Institute for Healthy Singing

Christy Elsner joined the staff of the Institute for Healthy Singing as a fellow in 2020. A native Kansan, Christy Elsner is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Allegro Choirs of Kansas City.  Under her direction since 2000, Allegro has grown from one choir of 38 to six choirs with over 250 singers. Heralded as “the voice of angels” by the Kansas City Star, Allegro inspires thousands of audience members each year with its varied repertoire, technical excellence, and heartfelt singing.  The Allegro choirs have traveled extensively nationally and internationally with performances at the White House for President Obama and the First Lady, St. Peter’s Basilica, Notre Dame, Carnegie Hall, and Myerson Hall. The choirs are yearly guests of the Kansas City Symphony. Allegro choirs have performed at state, regional and national conventions by invitation including as the opening choir of the 2019 National ACDA convention. 

Christy is engaging and demanding but wraps her unwavering pursuit of excellence in humor and inspiring messages. As an active clinician for children’s, youth, and treble choirs, Christy enjoys giving workshops on innovative rehearsing and the female changing voice and is honored to conduct regional, state, and national honor choirs.  Her first book, Gadgets for Great Singing, was published in 2013 by Hal Leonard.  She is currently finishing her second book, The Athletic Singer.  She is the 2010 recipient of the Kindest-Kansas Citian and the 2008 recipient of the MENC Outstanding Middle Level Educator.    She obtained her music education degree from the University of Kansas and received the Marcus E. Hahn Award for Outstanding Senior in Music Education.   Professional memberships include MENC, Chorister’s Guild, Chorus America, and ACDA.  When her mind isn’t on Allegro, she loves to cook, hang out at the beach, read, travel, play with her dogs, attend her kids’ events, workout and watch KU Jayhawk Basketball. Christy and her husband, Sean, stay busy with their three children:  Chandler, Chase, and Carlee.