Kathlyn M. Lindberg is a native Kansan who began teaching in 1969 in Leoti, KS. Her career includes teaching elementary music in Leoti; junior high, senior high vocal and assistant instrumental in Wichita County; high school vocal in Kiowa County; and vocal and instrumental K-12 in USD 502 Lewis. Along the way, she also found time to teach private piano lessons.

Professionally, Kathryn has conducted 11 high school musicals, 17 elementary musicals, multiple dinner theaters and singing tours, with an abundance of former students who have gone on to perform in college music programs, perform on Broadway and even become music teachers themselves.

Kathlyn's service to the profession includes KMEA SW District Secondary Choral Chair, SW District President, the KMEA State Board, SW District Elementary Choir accompanist, SW District Outstanding Elementary Teacher, 2004 KMEA Outstanding Music Teacher and the 2004 Masonic Outstanding Music Teacher. In her community, she has served as church organist, pianist and choir director since 1972, she has worked with "after school" church programs, women's retreats, conducted the Edwards County Community Chorus and volunteered with the Red Cross.

Kathlyn M. Lindberg looks on as KMEA President Martha Gabel reads the citation honoring her as an inductee into the KMEA Hall of Fame at the 2016 In-Service Workshop.

Photo by Troy Johnson

Former student and current music teacher, Amber Miller, says, "Her love of music and teaching was a model for me as a music teacher. Teaching children to work hard and be proud of their performance has been my favorite part of teaching modeled after her servitude to education and the community." Former accompanist, Ellen Foncannon says, "Years ago I was playing for District 5 choir and had some terrible page turns. Suddenly someone appeared and started helping. At the end of the song, she introduced herself as Kathy Lindberg. This gift of seeing what needs to be done and actually doing it describes her teaching career."

And finally, to one student, she was both Mrs. L and "Mom". Erica Lindberg Fleeman, says "My students receive her gifts of music every day and they don't even know it!"