Kay Owens

Taking the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor this season, AMC welcomes Kay Owens to the podium. As one of Arlington’s most cherished and talented directors, Kay is known throughout Texas and the US as a highly respected choral director and adjudicator.

After a 41-year career dedicated to teaching excellence in choral music to high school students, Ms. Owens retired in 2024. She taught 10 years in Mississippi and 31 years in Texas, with her last 26 years at Martin High School in Arlington, TX. Her choirs have performed at Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) conferences in 2005, 2008, and 2016; American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conferences in 2005 and 2013; Carnegie Hall in 2006 and 2016; Bella Hall, Canada in 2023; and Cadogan Hall, London, England in 2019 and 2024.

Kay received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Mississippi State University in 1983 and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Mississippi College in 2000. She is a member of TMEA, ACDA, Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA), and Texas Music Adjudicators Association (TMAA). She served on the TCDA Executive Board 2009-2011. In 2009, Kay was named the Distinguished Alumnae of the College of Music for Mississippi College. In 2013, Owens was honored with the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. She is the recipient of the 2020 TCDA Distinguished Choral Excellence Award. Kay currently serves on the TMAA Executive Board as Vocal VP.

In retirement from full-time teaching, Kay continues to serve as the organist at First Baptist Church Arlington, teaches private voice lessons, loves to travel, and she enjoys a little retail therapy now and again. She is an avid college football fan, especially when cheering on her beloved Bulldogs of Mississippi State University.

Kay is looking forward to being AMC’s next Artistic Director, and we are greatly looking forward to her esteemed talents as she leads us into our 2025-2026 season and beyond!