Musical Story Time brings stories to life through live music and narration. The program combines children’s books with classical selections, sound effects, and hands-on learning for toddlers and young students through 2nd grade. Musical Story Time can be requested by elementary schools in Knox County and the surrounding East Tennessee counties, including private schools and homeschool co-ops.
The Musical Story Time request form for the 2026-2027 school year is now open! Click below to bring Knoxville Symphony Orchestra musicians to your classroom or library!
Kathryn Paden is originally from Knoxville, a local performer, recitalist, church musician, and voice teacher. She sings with the Knoxville Choral Society, Knoxville Chamber Chorale, Amadeus Concert Ensemble, and enjoys primarily theatrical and concert stagework. She has appeared in productions over the years with Oak Ridge Playhouse, Clarence Brown Theatre, The WordPlayers, Foothills Community Players, Knoxville Opera Company, and has recently made her short-film debut with Dennis Films based out of Maryville.
Kathryn has been featured in previous KSO seasons as the guest artist for the Clayton Holiday Concerts, the Symphony Ball, the 2018 collaborative production of Candide with Clarence Brown Theater, and roles in several of the most recent Very Young People’s Concerts. Kathryn has been the narrator for the KSO’s Musical Story Time since 2022.
Local and regional concert solo work includes Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors (Mother), Charpentier’s Te Deum, Haydn’s Missa Brevis, Mendelssohn’s Elijah (Widow), Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Mozart’s Requiem, Forrest’s Jubilate Deo, John Purifoy’s Chronicles of Blue and Gray, Bach’s Magnificat, Brahms’ Requiem (German and English), Bach’s Cantata 140, and Handel’s Messiah. Kathryn sings in the Chancel Choir and, for over a decade, directed children’s ensembles at Fountain City United Methodist Church where she is a longtime member. She also maintains church soloist work at churches throughout East Tennessee. Local organizations and venues for which she enjoys performing are the Rossini Festival, Dogwood Arts, Kerbela Shriners, Fantasy of Trees, the Knoxville Symphony League, and the Tennessee Theatre’s Mighty Musical Monday concert series, including the Theatre’s 90th Anniversary Concert in 2018.
Kathryn holds a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Tennessee Wesleyan University (Athens, TN). She has been a private voice teacher since 2010 and enjoys working with voices of various ages and abilities. By day, Kathryn is the Church Administrator at Second Presbyterian Church of Knoxville. She is also a twin sister, aunt of three, and crazy cat mom of one.
