Dr. Karsten Longhurst has accepted the joint leadership position of the Wanda L. Bass Chair of Vocal Music Education, Oklahoma City University, and Artistic Director of Canterbury Youth Voices, youth education program of Canterbury Voices. Dr. Longhurst continues the unique partnership role created in 2005 between Canterbury and OCU. Dr. Judith Willoughby filled this role from 2005 until her retirement in 2016, and this innovative collaboration continues the shared vision to create a national center for choral excellence in Oklahoma City.

“Dr. Karsten Longhurst is a vocal music education leader in our region,” says Pam Mowry, Canterbury Voices Executive Director. “Canterbury is thrilled to welcome him to our already strong team of conductors. Canterbury Youth Voices has a reputation for excellent vocal instruction, and our unique partnership with Oklahoma City University solidifies our standing in the choral community. We are excited to plan our future with Dr. Longhurst and Dr. Julie Yu at the artistic helm of our organization.”

Dr. Longhurst holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Music from the University of Southern California with emphases in music education, arts leadership, and vocal performance. Previous degrees include a Master in Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Music in Education and German from Weber State University. Longhurst previously served as Director of Choral Music and Assistant Director of Music Education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He taught high school and middle school for six years in Ogden, Utah, and was honored with the Teaching in Excellence award.

“I am very pleased to welcome Karsten Longhurst to our faculty,” says Dr. Mark Parker, Dean of the Wanda L. Bass School of Music. “As a joint appointment with our long-time partner Canterbury Voices, I know Dr. Longhurst will bring a high level of music making that will continue to move both organizations to new vistas of performance. His dedication in sending the very best choral educators into the world will have a lasting impact in sustaining the important role that music serves in our schools. Together Canterbury Voices and the Bass School of Music continue to steadfastly commit to excellence in all we do.”

Dr. Longhurst is active as a guest conductor, presenter, adjudicator, and performer. Currently, he serves as the President-Elect of the Oklahoma Choral Director’s Association and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the National Association for Music Educators.He enjoys performing as a professional solo and ensemble tenor, having collaborated with artists such as the Rolling Stones, Barry Manilow, and Elton John, and as a guest soloist in the Salt Lake City Tabernacle. He has performed with ensembles including the Salt Lake Vocal Artists, Brevitas, and the Enid Symphony.

In addition to his musical interests, Dr. Longhurst enjoys spending time with his family in the outdoors and coaching his son’s baseball team. Welcome Dr. Longhurst!

ABOUT CANTERBURY YOUTH VOICES: Canterbury Youth Voices, the youth choral education program of Canterbury Voices, enters its twenty-seventh year with the 2024-2025 season. Canterbury’s goal with the CYV program is to provide opportunities for young singers to develop and enhance life skills through musical development. CYV instructors encourage accountability, responsibility, discipline, respect, problem solving, teamwork, learning skills that cross academic areas, and civic responsibility with a curriculum that is based on national and state music education standards. canterburyokc.com