Maranatha Touring Choir

Choir Direction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Christopher Ryder – Musical Director

 

Dr. Christopher Ryder is a past member of Maranatha Touring Choir and has been the Director since 1991. He is also the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland Virginia, where he directs the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, and teaches courses in music fundamentals and music technology. Prior to his appointment at RMC, he was on the music faculty of Concord University in Athens West Virginia. Dr. Ryder has directed District, County, and Regional Choruses, and has also judged middle school and high school choral festivals throughout Virginia. In addition to his work as a conductor, he has directed music for many theater productions for high schools, colleges, and community theaters. He has also been active as a singer with the Chamber Chorale of Fredericksburg, and with the West Virginia Symphony Chorus. Dr. Ryder holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Mary Washington College, a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from George Mason University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from the Shenandoah Conservatory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonita Keene – Assistant Musical Director

 

Bonita  has been associated with Maranatha Touring Choir for twenty-three years. She was a member for six and has served as the Assistant Director for seventeen years. In January of 2005 she was named Chorus Director for Mountain View High School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Emory and Henry College.  Mrs. Keene has taught students in grades K – 12 in both private and public schools. She has also taught private piano and voice lessons. In addition, she has served as a church musician in several capacities. She has been accompanist, Youth Choir Director, and is currently the Choir and Worship leader at Kingdom Baptist Church in Fredericksburg. She holds memberships in several professional organizations and has been an adjudicator for choral festivals and a guest lecturer on topics concerning music education. Mrs. Keene was recently selected to Who’s Who in America’s Teachers. Mrs. Keene was previously Chorus Director at North Stafford High School, her alma mater. A lifelong resident of the Fredericksburg area, she now lives in Stafford with her husband, Greg, and their two children, Corinn and Evan.

 

 

Kelley Spence – Drama Director

 

Kelley has been associated with Maranatha Touring Choir for twenty-two years. Nine of those years were spent as a member and she has served the remaining thirteen years as the drama director. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Radford University and is currently employed as a Financial Planning and Analysis Manager for General Dynamics Amphibious Systems. In addition she is a member of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, participant of Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, Coordinator for the Susan G Koman Race for the Cure, and Coordinator for American Red Cross Blood Drive. Kelley currently resides in Stafford, Virginia and attends Kingdom Baptist Church.

Kelley Spence and Bonita Keene