Gateway Regional Arts Center

The Music Team develops musical programs and plans performances and events. Anyone interested is welcome to join our monthly meetings. Our programming includes classical, folk, ethnic, country, jazz and instrumental.

The Notables Youth Chorus
Under the direction of Debbie Stegner, is open to students in grades
4th - 10th in the Gateway Area.

The Advent Musicale
A Chorus performing classical music accompanied by members of the Lexington Philharmonic.

Sterling Singers
A Community Chorus performing Broadway and folk.

For more information please call the Arts Center: 859.498.6264

Debbie Stegner

        Ms. Stegner is currently the Executive Director of the Richmond Area Arts Council, conducts the Gateway Youth Chorus in Mount Sterling, and teaches Elementary Music Methods at Transylvania University. Debbie has taught music at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels. Her teaching career spans thirty five years in McCreary, Madison, Montgomery, and Fayette counties. Her choirs have consistently received Distinguished ratings at the district, state and national levels. Her students have performed on KET, WKYT and WLEX.
        Ms. Stegner graduated from Pine Knot High School and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cumberland College, Masters Degree in Education from Union College and Rank I as a Reading Specialist from the University of the Cumberlands. She has three levels of Orff certification from the University of Kentucky.
        Debbie served five years as the K - 5 General Music chair for the Kentucky Music Educators Association, K - 5 Elementary Chair for Districts 7 & 11 for three years, Elementary Choral Chair for the Kentucky Choral Directors Association for two years , and a two year term on the Executive Board of the Kentucky Music Educators Association. She frequently serves as adjudicator for KMEA performance assessments and KMEA All-State auditions and as guest conductor for Elementary Honors Choirs at the county and regional levels. She was selected as the Elementary Music Teacher of the Year by Districts 7 and 11 in 2002 - 2003, 2003 - 2004, 2008 - 2009 and as the McCreary County Teacher of the Year in 1980. Mrs. Stegner was selected as the 2008 - 2009 Elementary Music Teacher of the Year by the Kentucky Music Educators Association.

        Ms. Stegner graduated from Pine Knot High School and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cumberland College, Masters Degree in Education from Union College and Rank I as a Reading Specialist from the University of the Cumberlands. She has three levels of Orff certification from the University of Kentucky.
        Debbie served five years as the K - 5 General Music chair for the Kentucky Music Educators Association, K - 5 Elementary Chair for Districts 7 & 11 for three years, Elementary Choral Chair for the Kentucky Choral Directors Association for two years , and a two year term on the Executive Board of the Kentucky Music Educators Association. She frequently serves as adjudicator for KMEA performance assessments and KMEA All-State auditions and as guest conductor for Elementary Honors Choirs at the county and regional levels. She was selected as the Elementary Music Teacher of the Year by Districts 7 and 11 in 2002 - 2003, 2003 - 2004, 2008 - 2009 and as the McCreary County Teacher of the Year in 1980. Mrs. Stegner was selected as the 2008 - 2009 Elementary Music Teacher of the Year by the Kentucky Music Educators Association.
        Debbie resides in Richmond and is the proud mother of two sons, Chris and Eric Stephens. She is a member of the Whitley City Second Baptist Church in Whitley City, Kentucky where she serves as organist.