Chris Lessly

Biography

Dr. Lessly serves as Coordinator of Music Education, teaches methods courses and supervises student teachers and practicum students. Dr. Lessly is a woodwind specialist and teaches the clarinet studio. Dr. Lessly also serves as Director of the World Music Ensemble. She is the founding Director of The Heart of Indiana Children's Choir, having performed at IMEA and Indiana Pacers games, with the IWU and BSU choirs, and with the Marion Philharmonic and Muncie Symphonies. The choir also tours internationally. Dr. Lessly holds memberships in IMEA, NAfME, SMTE, SGM, and AOSA, presenting clinics in the Midwest and southern U.S. She is an adoptive mom of Caroline, from China, and Claudia, from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She is in the process of adopting her third daughter from Jiangsu Province of China.

Work History

1993-present 

Professor and Coordinator of Music Education 

Indiana Wesleyan University 

1992-1993 

Assistant Professor of Music Education 

Luther College 

Decorah, IA 

1989-1991 

Assistant Professor of Music Education 

University of Montevallo 

Montevallo, AL 

1985-1989 

Graduate Teaching Assistant 

Department of Music Education and Music Therapy 

Masters/Doctoral Student 

University of Kansas 

1981-1985 

Choral/General Music Educator 

Band Director 

Rolla Public Schools, Rolla, MO 

*Music Education Clinician at state and regional conferences in Midwest and Southern U.S. 

*Founder/Director of The Heart of Indiana Children's Choir, 1997 to present. Choir has performed nationally and internationally. 

*20-year recognition of service as Associate Conductor of the Indiana Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble. 

Interests

• World Music Drumming Curriculum
• Music and Language Literacy
• Music Teacher Education Curriculum
• Children's Voices

Degrees

• Ph.D. - Music Education 
  1996, University of Kansas
• M.M.Ed.
  1987, University of Kansas
• B.M.E.
  1980, Central Missouri State University