Musical Story Time brings stories to life through live music and narration. This 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.
ALL TOGETHER NOW: Sharing Tales from Around the World
Available October 2023 – April 2024
Books featured:
Stone Soup retold and illustrated by Mary Quinn – a folktale from France
The Empty Pot story and illusion by Demi – a folktale from China
The Little Red Hen retold and illustrated by Byron Barton – a folktale from America
Meet the Narrator
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, 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 been featured in past seasons as the guest artist for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s Clayton Holiday Concerts, the Symphony Ball, a cast member of their 2018 production of Candide, is a frequent performer for the Symphony League events, and she performed the role of Molly in the KSO’s 2024 Very Young People’s Concert, Molly’s Musical World of Water.
Local and regional concert solo work includes Mendelssohn’s Elijah (The 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 editions), Bach’s Cantata 140, and Handel’s Messiah.
Kathryn sings in the Chancel Choir and directs children‘s ensembles at Fountain City United Methodist Church where she is a member, but also maintains church soloist work at several other churches throughout East Tennessee. Local venues where she enjoys performing are the Rossini Festival, Dogwood Arts, Kerbela Shriners, Fantasy of Trees, and the Tennessee Theatre’s Mighty Musical Monday concert series, including the theatre’s recent 90th Anniversary Concert.
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 Executive Assistant at Christ United Methodist Church in North Knoxville, where she oversees church communications and administrative duties. She is also a twin sister, aunt of 3, and devoted cat mom of 1.
Thank you to our 2023-24 Musical Story Time Sponsors:
