Artistic Staff
Kevin Kozacek, Co-Artistic Director
Kevin Kozacek, Co-Artistic Director for ProMusica Arizona, is a native of Colorado, where he attended the University of Northern Colorado. He graduated in 1977 with his Bachelor in Music Education, with an emphasis in choral conducting under the tutelage of Dr. Howard Skinner, and a minor in musical theater. In 1990, Mr. Kozacek received his Masters in Education from Northern Arizona University. Mr. Kozacek taught public school music in grades K-12, and directed theater and choral groups in churches and communities in Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, England and Arizona.
Though directing is his passion, Mr. Kozacek started his musical career singing at age six, performing Handel’s Come Unto Him, All Ye That Labour. Mr. Kozacek served 14 years in the USAF, which gave him the opportunity to direct choirs and musicals at bases and communities wherever he was stationed.
Mr. Kozacek is the founding artistic director of ProMusica Arizona, and is currently studying privately with Maestro Lawrence Golan, Resident Conductor for the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra.
Adam Stich, Co-Artistic Director
Dr. Adam Walker Stich, Co-Artistic Director for ProMusica Arizona, joined PMAZ in June 2011 to lead its exceptional choral program. He is Conductor of the PMAZ Chorale and the Women’s Chamber Choir. Dr. Stich is also currently the Director of Choirs At Scottsdale Community College. There he directs the Concert Choir and Jazz Vocal Ensemble and teaches classes in aural perception, conducting and the humanities.
He did his undergraduate studies at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. There he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Music and Theatre. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, he earned an assistantship at the University of South Carolina, where he completed a Master of Music and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting. While at the University of South Carolina, he was the Director of the Honors College Choir, the Graduate Vocal Ensemble and the Men’s Chamber Choir. He studied conducting with John Sinclair and Larry Wyatt.
Prior to his position at Scottsdale Community College, he spent two years as Instructor of choral music at Eastern Illinois University conducting the University Mixed Chorus and the Music Theatre and Opera Ensemble, and teaching Interacting with Music and Beginning Conducting. As a certified music teacher, and committed educator, Dr. Stich spent five years in the public school system of South Carolina at the middle and high school levels teaching beginning strings, band and varying levels of choral ensembles.
With his extensive expertise and engaging personality, Dr. Stich is also in demand as a clinician and guest conductor. He lives in Cave Creek with his wife, Ashley, infant son, Finn, and Great Dane, Katherine.
Glenn Graca, Brass Ensemble Director
Glenn Graca, Brass Ensemble Director for ProMusica Arizona, also plays principal trumpet in the orchestra. A native of Chicago, he moved to the Phoenix area with his family in 1966. He has played trumpet professionally since 1967 in several musical genres. He toured Europe in the summer of 1973 with the nationally known "America's Youth in Concert" orchestra, and had the opportunity to perform at the end of the tour at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 1980, he and his brother, Tom, started a 5-piece musical group of their own called "Sentimental Journey." They played professionally all over the Phoenix Metro area for 12 years. From 2004-2006, Mr. Graca was the Musical Director of the Vaudeville Youth Theater. Mr. Graca received his B.S. in Music Education from Grand Canyon University in 1990, and his M.Ed in Educational Administration from NAU in 1996. He has taught instrumental music in the public schools for 20 years. He is currently teaching band in the Glendale Elementary School District.
Karen Taylor, Accompanist
Karen Stephens Taylor, Accompanist for ProMusica Arizona, earned a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in piano pedagogy from Brigham Young University in 1987. Mrs. Taylor has been actively involved throughout her life in piano, organ and vocal performance for high school, university, community, church and theater groups throughout the United States. In 2006, she won a national award for music composition. Mrs. Taylor has over 25 years of experience teaching piano and currently operates her own music studio with an enrollment of over 30 students. . She enjoys playing for several school choirs in the area and for high school musical productions. For the last several years, Mrs. Taylor has provided organ accompaniment for various choirs performing Handel’s Messiah. She is a loving mother of six children.
Paula Tresslar, Accompanist
Paula Tresslar, Accompanist for ProMusica Arizona, has played piano professionally since high school in a wide arena of venues. A native of South Dakota, she began her career in the classical field at the age of 7. She competed annually in national and international piano competitions throughout her educational years, achieving International Membership in the National Federation of Student Musicians. While majoring in music at Augustana College, she received the prestigious Paderewski Medal of Honor for piano performance in the classical field. In addition to 11 competitions annually through those years, Paula has accompanied numerous chorus, solo and ensemble groups in educational, community, theatre and churches throughout her career. After adding 18 musicals to her accomplishments, touring for two years in the U.S., Canada and Alaska, Paula moved to Arizona in 2002 with her husband. She currently performs with the ProMusica Arizona Chamber Choir, ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra, Musical Theater of Anthem, Scottsdale Musical Theater Company and the United Methodist Church.
Carol Routh, Concertmistress
Carol Routh, Concertmistress for ProMusica Arizona, is originally from the Chicago area. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University, she taught Suzuki Violin in the Preparatory Department of the college for nine years. Mrs. Routh played violin with the Bloomington/Normal Symphony for 12 years before moving to Phoenix with her husband and three children in 1986. She taught strings in the Washington Elementary School District for 13 years and has maintained a private studio in her home. In addition to playing with ProMusica Arizona and serving as the librarian for the orchestra, Mrs. Routh is a violinist with the Instrumental Team at North Phoenix Baptist Church.