Kimberley Ahrens, Artistic Director

Kimberley Ahrens is a nationally recognized choral conductor, educator, and clinician with more than 20 years of experience enriching children and youth through the study and performance of the choral arts. Recipient of the 2022 Choral Director of Distinction Award from the Texas Choral Directors Association, Ahrens is the Founding Artistic Director of the Greater Dallas Choral Society for Children and Youth (GDCS). Established in 2022, GDCS carries forward the legacy of the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas (CCGD; 1997–2022) and continues its mission to provide children and youth with an experience in choral artistry in a group that reflects the diversity of the Dallas metroplex. GDCS serves as the official children’s chorus of The Dallas Opera and, in 2025, was featured at the national conference of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), one of the nation’s largest gatherings of choral professionals.

Prior to joining GDCS full time, Ahrens spent 18 years teaching choir in the Texas public school system, where she led her ensembles to national recognition and performances at major conferences for the Texas Music Educators Association and American Choral Directors Association. She also served as a principal conductor for the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas for nine years.

An expert in the adolescent and developing voice, Ahrens is regularly engaged as a clinician and guest conductor for honor choirs throughout the United States and has taught at the university level as an adjunct professor and guest lecturer. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Texas Christian University and a Master of Music Education from The University of North Texas.