KO says farewell to teacher, mentor, friend, and Choir Director Steve Mitchell. After joining the KO community in 2016 as choral director for both the Upper School and Middle School, along with additional duties, Mr. Mitchell has surely left an impact on the school that will last a lifetime.
Before getting hired at KO, Mr. Mitchell was conducting the Northern Regional Choir when he was approached by Band and Upper School Orchestra Director Todd Millen, asking if he would be interested in taking this job. “ Todd Millen approached me at the rehearsal and asked if I’d be interested in applying for a job at KO, and I said, absolutely not,” Mr. Mitchell shared with laughter. “I was pretty quick with him, and I said it’s just not where I’m headed right now in my career, but thank you for asking.”
Just a few weeks later, though, Mr. Millen gave Mr. Mitchell a call, asking if he would come in to consult on some future decisions for the music department. Mr. Mitchell took the opportunity and was in KO for a meeting just the next day. “While I was there, I met some really cool kids and some really cool teachers, and I thought, ‘Wait a minute. Maybe I do like this idea,’ and I called Todd Millen back, and I said, ‘Would you still consider me for this position?’ He said, ‘Absolutely – your interview’s tomorrow.’” After that, Mr. Mitchell was instantly hired for the position and has been working at KO ever since!
When arriving at KO, Mr. Mitchell was immediately thrown into the arts department and took his responsibilities and job with endless pride and passion. “My responsibilities when I arrived were to teach only Middle School, but one of the Upper School teachers was on leave, and so they asked me to cover those classes initially, and I wound up teaching them full time!” Mr. Mitchell shared. “I taught Middle School music, which included the sixth-grade Choraliers and the seventh and eighth-grade Cantabile Choir.” In addition to these choir courses, he was also an advisor in the Middle School and eventually took on the responsibilities of Form Dean and Music Director for the Upper School Winter Musical.
Mr. Mitchell’s experience with the musical was a core memory of his time at KO, and he has loved both the challenge and fun that came with it. He has worked with three directors during his time and has loved his partnership with Theater Director Kyle Reynolds. “We get a lot done and really high quality, and that’s been really a joy for me,” he shared. “I have high expectations, so when I am challenged by someone with similar high expectations, that raises my game.”
Another great memory from his time at KO was the trip to Germany prior to the pandemic, when Mr. Mitchell and fellow Choir Director David Baker took KO singers to perform on a tour around Germany with musicians there. “We performed in cathedrals and castles all around Northern Germany,” Mr. Mitchell said. “It truly was a wonderful trip.”
Through Mr. Mitchell’s leadership and teaching opportunities, he has been given the opportunity to see students blossom, which has been a great joy for him in his career. “ I love seeing students become amazing human beings and amazing people,” he shared.
In leaving, Mr. Mitchell says that he will miss the community the most. “The school is filled with incredible, competent people, and it has been such a pleasure to work alongside them,” he reflected.
As he heads off into his next chapter of life, Mr. Mitchell is excited for the future and the opportunities and freedom he will have. We wish him the best of luck in the future with his retirement plans!
