Since earning her BMued in 1986, Kathryn Kalmansson has taught private violin and viola lessons and ukulele classes, taught classroom music and school orchestras, conducted children’s choruses, assisted as section coach with the Youth Ensemble of New England, and directs the popular local group Rose, Thorn & Fiddle, of which she is founder and sole music arranger. Many of her students have participated in the MMEA District and All-State orchestras and have earned substantial college orchestra scholarships. Kathryn recently  completed her Master's in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Kathryn joined Thayer Conservatory’s music faculty in 1992.

 

Fun Fact: She enjoys braiding rugs from thrifted wool and adding to her home library with frequent trips to the book sections of all the local Goodwill stores. 

Lauren Rittenhouse grew up in Massachusetts and studied cello with Mark Churchill and Raya Garbousova. She received degrees in Music, Interior Design and Art from Atlantic Union College. She and her husband Jerry met in the New England Youth Ensemble,  where they shared a stand in the cello section for many years. Together with their two children, Julie and David, they  formed the Rittenhouse Cello Quartet. Lauren is currently a member of Symphony Pro Musica, a community based orchestra under the direction of Mark Churchill.

​

Lauren enjoys arranging music for cello quartets, cello trios and duets. She specializes in teaching the Suzuki method to children and adults of all ages. She has been a faculty member of Thayer Conservatory since 2006. Lauren lives in Lancaster, New Hampshire, where she has a private cello studio.

 

Fun Fact:  Mrs. Rittenhouse enjoys tending to her perennial gardens with a view of the White Mountains. 

Lira Cady has a Master of Music degree from Boston University and is a graduate of Atlantic Union College, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a Minor in Music Performance. Carl Swanson has been her primary harp instructor since she first started playing the harp. Lira is a freelance musician, performing throughout Central Massachusetts. Her orchestral affiliations have included the Thayer Symphony Orchestra, the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, Atlantic Wind Symphony, South Eastern Massachusetts Chamber Orchestra and the New England Youth Ensemble. Lira is also a member of the Romantic Harp and Violin Duo with Sheila Reid, violinist and Synergy, a trio for flute, harp and organ with flutist Debbie Frank and organist William Ness.

​

Lira teaches harp at Thayer Conservatory, directs the South Lancaster Academy Choir and VOCE, their touring choir, and teaches Musikgarten classes to preschoolers in South Lancaster. She began teaching harp at Joy of Music in February 2010.