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 travelled 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.   

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 is honored to conduct many regional, state, and national honor choirs.  Her first book, Gadgets for Great Singing, was published in 2013 by Hal Leonard. She is the 2010 recipient of the Kindest-Kansas Citian and the 2008 recipient of the MENC Outstanding Middle Level Educator.  She completed six years as the SWACDA Children’s and Community Youth R&S Chair. She is a past receipient of the KCDA Outstanding Young Conductor Award.  

She received 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, catch for her daughter, workout, and watch Northern Colorado softball, Jayhawk Basketball and the Kansas City Royals. Christy and her husband, Sean, stay busy with their three children:  Chandler, Chase, and Carlee.