About
The Directors
Dan Wynkoop
Director
A native of Pennsylvania, Daniel Wynkoop has directed choirs in Pennsylvania and North Carolina for over 27 years. He has taught music at the primary and secondary levels in both public and private schools, and since 2014 has been the Choral Director at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC.
Mr. Wynkoop leads worship and directs music at First Baptist Church in Gastonia, directing adult, youth, children's, and handbell choirs and since 2001 has served as the Artistic Director of the Gaston Choral Society, a community choir in Gastonia.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Penn State University, and a Master of Science degree in Choral Music Education from Florida State University.
In his spare time, Mr. Wynkoop enjoys fishing, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife Heather, his two daughters Grace and Rebekah, and his dogs Dixie and Dancer.
Christine Starnes
Assistant Artistic Director, Accompanist
Christine Starnes has been accompanying choirs for over 20 years. A graduate of Gaston County Schools, she has had the privilege to accompany local choir festivals, and middle & high school choruses in Music Performance Adjudication and annual concerts.
She serves as Director of Music and Worship, service pianist/worship leader, and secretary of Loray Baptist Church in West Gastonia. Christine is also the accompanist and Assistant Artistic Director of the Gaston Choral Society.
She currently serves on the BOD of the Gaston Music Education Foundation. Instilled from a young age, the Arts have ever been an integral part of Christine’s life and career.
Christine and her husband, Jarrod, live in Gastonia, NC, with their two cats, Remy and Ezri, and their dog, Kaia.
