Biography

Kathryn Peperkorn joined the faculty as the Choral Director for the 2023-24 school year. She graduated with an education degree from Concordia University Nebraska after doing her student teaching at Concordia Lutheran High School and Holy Cross in Fort Wayne in 1993. Her first call was teaching choir and band and drama at Dallas Lutheran High School. In 1995, she married Todd Peperkorn and moved to Fort Wayne while Todd finished at the Seminary. During this time, Kathryn taught at Holy Cross while finishing her master’s degree in vocal performance. 

Following graduate school, she taught as an adjunct professor at IPFW, taught voice at Carthage College, and sang with the Chicago Opera Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, and  Florentine Opera where she was part of the Grammy winning cast recording of Elmer Gantry. During that time, she also began her summer opera company South East Wisconsin Performing Arts. This group for high school and college students grew from 7 to 150 performers in 7 years, performing 6 operas each summer. 

All four of the Peperkorn children, Renata, Isabella, Richard (CLHS senior) and Beata (CLHS sophomore) were born while they lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In 2011, the Peperkorn family moved to Rocklin, California. There, she started choirs, directed musicals at their school, had a private voice studio, and taught as a public elementary music teacher. In 2021, they moved to Fort Wayne when her husband, Rev. Dr. Peperkorn received a call to teach at Concordia Theological Seminary. Mrs. Peperkorn began teaching music at Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran School, and in her private studio. 

Alongside Mrs. Jennifer Porath, our Director of Bands, Mrs. Peperkorn will be supporting our efforts to continue a choral program of distinction. 

For the 2023-24 school year, Mrs. Porath will be directing our A Cappella Choir, and Mrs. Peperkorn will direct our Chamber Choir and our introductory level choir.