Performance History

Kevin Kozacek, Artistic Director

Kevin Kozacek (Artistic Director) is a native of Colorado, where he attended the University of Northern Colorado.  He graduated in 1977 with his Bachelor in Music Education, with an emphasis in choral conducting under the tutelage of Dr. Howard Skinner, and a minor in musical theater.  In 1990, Mr. Kozacek received his Masters in Education from Northern Arizona University.  Mr. Kozacek taught public school music in grades K-12, and directed theater and choral groups in churches and communities in Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, England and Arizona.  Though directing is his passion, Mr. Kozacek started his musical career singing at age six, performing Handel’s Come Unto Him, All Ye That Labour.  Mr. Kozacek served 14 years in the USAF, which gave him the opportunity to direct choirs and musicals at bases and communities wherever he was stationed.  Mr. Kozacek is the founding artistic director of ProMusica Arizona, and is currently studying privately with Maestro Lawrence Golan, Resident Conductor for the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. 

Dr. Stephen Barton, Associate Conductor

Dr. Stephen Barton (Associate Conductor) is the Chair of the Humanities Department at The Orme School of Arizona where he teaches Honors English, AP Literature, and Humanities.  Dr. Barton conducts the school choir and serves as the assistant tennis coach. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Yavapai College, Prescott, Arizona. From 2002-2008, he served as the Director of Music at Chatham Hall, a boarding school for girls in Chatham, Virginia and as the Director of Music at the St. Paul's School for Boys in Brooklandville, Maryland.  From 2000-2006, Dr. Barton was also the Chorusmaster for the York (PA) Symphony Orchestra Chorus and the conductor of the York Symphony Chamber Singers.  A native of Greenville, North Carolina, Dr. Barton completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City, Tennessee, his Master of Music degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.  Dr. Barton resides on the campus of The Orme School of Arizona with his wife, Sharon, their cat, Sweetie Dee and their dog, Blue.

Karen Taylor, Accompanist

Karen Stephens Taylor (Accompanist) earned a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in piano pedagogy from Brigham Young University in 1987.  Mrs. Taylor has been actively involved throughout her life in piano, organ and vocal performance for high school, university, community, church and theater groups throughout the United States.  In 2006, she won a national award for music composition.  Mrs. Taylor has over 25 years of experience teaching piano and currently operates her own music studio with an enrollment of over 30 students.  .  She enjoys playing for several school choirs in the area and for high school musical productions.  For the last several years, Mrs. Taylor has provided organ accompaniment for various choirs performing Handel’s Messiah.  She is a loving mother of six children.

Linda Schwartz, Accompanist

Linda Schwartz (Accompanist) was born in Cleveland, Ohio.  At age five she began her musical career with piano lessons, and at age ten she made her solo debut with the Cleveland Children’s Symphony. Mrs. Schwartz studied piano for 15 years with Cleveland’s Gertrude Zies Zetzer. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a minor in music. For 30 years she taught elementary school in Ohio and Illinois, and for over 50 years she has taught piano and accompanied solo and ensemble groups. Upon retiring from teaching in June 2001, Mrs. Schwartz moved to Anthem, where she continues to teach piano and accompany solos and ensembles. One of the founding members of PMAZ, this is Mrs. Schwartz’ 6th season as accompanist. She is the proud mother of four and grandmother of nine.

• President – Lissi Weiss
• President-Elect – Brian Millette
• Treasurer – Laura Weaver
• Secretary – Sara Weller
• Past President – Connie Campbell Henry
• Managing Director – Anne Kilstofte, PhD
• Craig Caldwell, Director
• Dennis Dorch, Director

• Shirley Fiske, Director
• William Knaus, Director
• Sue Mayfield, Director
• Aleta Millette, Director
• Gail Salameh, Director
• Deborah Schauer, Director
• Kay Winter, Director
• Marilyn Witt, Director