Who We Are
Karen Higdon
Head director of the DCHS Orchestra
Mrs. Higdon has been the Director of Orchestras, grades 6-12 on the East side of Daviess County since 1995. Her schools include Daviess County Middle School, College View Middle School, and Daviess County High School. Before coming to Owensboro, she taught instrumental music in Evansville, IN for 11 years. She holds Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees in Music Education from the University of Illinois. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Higdon is a violinist, and performed as a member of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra as well as performing in/directing theater productions for many years. She conducted the Owensboro Symphony Youth String Orchestra for 5 years. She also sings and plays violin at church. At the state and national level, Mrs. Higdon served as KMEA Orchestra Chair in charge of clinics and All-State Orchestras at the state convention, and was on the Content Advisory Committee for the KY Department of Education. She served as state president and state newsletter editor of the American String Teachers Association, and helped plan several national ASTA conventions.
Mrs. Higdon is married and has 3 children and 10 grandchildren.
Head director of the DCHS Orchestra
Mrs. Higdon has been the Director of Orchestras, grades 6-12 on the East side of Daviess County since 1995. Her schools include Daviess County Middle School, College View Middle School, and Daviess County High School. Before coming to Owensboro, she taught instrumental music in Evansville, IN for 11 years. She holds Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees in Music Education from the University of Illinois. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Higdon is a violinist, and performed as a member of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra as well as performing in/directing theater productions for many years. She conducted the Owensboro Symphony Youth String Orchestra for 5 years. She also sings and plays violin at church. At the state and national level, Mrs. Higdon served as KMEA Orchestra Chair in charge of clinics and All-State Orchestras at the state convention, and was on the Content Advisory Committee for the KY Department of Education. She served as state president and state newsletter editor of the American String Teachers Association, and helped plan several national ASTA conventions.
Mrs. Higdon is married and has 3 children and 10 grandchildren.
Kyle Payton
Assistant Director of the DCHS Orchestra
Mr. Payton is originally from Grayson County. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Murray State University in 2010, and is currently working on his Masters Degree in Music Education at Murray State University. Mr. Payton’s first teaching experience took him to Union County. Under the direction of Mr. Payton, the Union County Band ensembles earned Distinguish Ratings and State appearances multiple years. Mr. Payton’s prior teaching experiences before Union County include multiple years of Percussion instructor for several area counties, Visual instructor for area counties, and Winter Percussion instructor for Impact Audio Theatre in 2007. Mr. Payton has received multiple awards while as a Percussionist and has toured around the United States performing for various venues. Mr. Payton is excited to be a part of the Daviess County High School Orchestra and wants to continue the tradition of excellence for all DCHS ensembles.
Mr. Payton lives in Sturgis Kentucky with his wife Gabrielle and two children Annika and Graham.
Assistant Director of the DCHS Orchestra
Mr. Payton is originally from Grayson County. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Murray State University in 2010, and is currently working on his Masters Degree in Music Education at Murray State University. Mr. Payton’s first teaching experience took him to Union County. Under the direction of Mr. Payton, the Union County Band ensembles earned Distinguish Ratings and State appearances multiple years. Mr. Payton’s prior teaching experiences before Union County include multiple years of Percussion instructor for several area counties, Visual instructor for area counties, and Winter Percussion instructor for Impact Audio Theatre in 2007. Mr. Payton has received multiple awards while as a Percussionist and has toured around the United States performing for various venues. Mr. Payton is excited to be a part of the Daviess County High School Orchestra and wants to continue the tradition of excellence for all DCHS ensembles.
Mr. Payton lives in Sturgis Kentucky with his wife Gabrielle and two children Annika and Graham.