Leah Ries began directing the Mankato Children’s Chorus in 2000 creating the Kodaly based Training and Intermediate Choirs which provide an early choir opportunity for children in the first through third grades. She took on the role of Artistic Director in 2009. Having directed each of the choirs in her tenure with MAYC, she currently directs the Allegro and Concert Choirs. Leah retired from public school teaching in 2023 after a 40 year career teaching elementary, middle school, and jr. high general and choral music as well as private piano and voice in Minnesota and Oklahoma. She has been an adjudicator, workshop presenter and has directed state and regional honor choirs.
After completing a Bachelor of Music Education from Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City, Leah completed a Kodaly Certification with emphasis in choral conducting at the University of Oklahoma. She founded the Northern Hills Honor Choir in Edmond, Oklahoma which was selected to sing at the 1992 Oklahoma Music Educators Association annual conference in Oklahoma City. She also worked with Robert J. Ward and the Stillwater Boys Choir in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Her choirs have performed at the Minnesota ACDA Fall Convention, Minnesota Music Educators Midwinter Conference, Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota Youth Choir Festival in Rochester, Festival of the States in Washington D.C. and have been the guest children's chorus of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra.
Leah and her husband Barry currently live in Mankato.
 

Johnathan Shevy is returning the Mankato Area Youth Choirs as the director of our Allegro Choir. Mr. Shevy also teaches music in the Mankato Area Public Schools. He has previously directed the Allegro Choir and Melodia Tenor/Bass Choir. He is excited to be back with MAYC. 

Kristin Baty joined the Mankato Children's Chorus staff in 2011, directing the Training and Intermediate choirs. Kristin moved to Mankato in 2009 after teaching elementary vocal music in Edina, MN. There she also directed an extra-curricular choir and some African Drumming. Kristin has assisted in directing a music and drama camp in Burnsville and directed the Children’s Choir for the Christmas program. She currently teaches elementary music at Rosa Parks Elementary in Mankato.
In 2006 Kristin graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a dual degree in K-12 Music Education and K-8 Elementary Education. In 2009 She completed her Orff Music Certification from the University of St. Thomas which has helped her develop a passion for incorporating instruments, such as xylophone, recorder, and movement while teaching vocal music. It brings Kristin wonderful joy to make music with young hearts and voices!
Kristin lives in Mankato with her husband Steve and children Adelina, Eli, Cole and Theo and is looking forward to another fun year with MAYC!

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Erin Anderson joined MCC in 2017 and accompanies all MAYC choirs. In addition to MAYC, Erin accompanies as needed in the local school districts and churches.  Erin studied music at Gustavus Adolphus College and taught piano lessons from the time she was 12 years old until she finished college. MAYC is a great opportunity for Erin to connect with children in the local communities and have a musical outlet in her otherwise “corporate” world. 

Rebecca Walsh joined the Mankato Area Youth Choirs in August 2025 as director of the Melodia Choirs. Rebecca graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in Vocal Music Education. After graduating, she began teaching K-6 general music and 7-12 choir at Madelia Public Schools. In one year Rebecca grew the Madelia Choral program from 43 students to 53 and from one choir to two. Rebecca is active in ACDA of Minnesota and has been a section leader for honor choirs at MMEA. She is incredibly excited to be joining the MAYC community and having the opportunity to direct the Melodia choirs!