Meet Keith Hudspeth!

As part of our ongoing series Meet Our GDS Faculty and Staff, we are excited to present: Meet Keith Hudspeth!

Read the Q&A below to learn more about Keith.

• Primary Role: LMS general music and chorus teacher and LMS Arts department chair  
• Pronouns: he/him
• Years at GDS: 16 years down and nearly finished with year 17! 

What do you love about GDS?
Being able to bring my authentic self to this space which helps me build strong relationships with students, colleagues, and families.

Why do you teach/do your job?
I remember so many experiences as a young choral singer throughout school, specifically spine tingling musical moments that cannot be described with words. I want my students to have those moments of artistry and connectedness.

A favorite lesson to teach / part of your job?
While there are always amazing performance moments, my most memorable times and favorite parts of my job occur in the classroom where process and playfulness are paramount.

Your work style in three words?
Quality. Authenticity. Joy

Other GDS activities or roles that community members may not know about?
Music Director for MS Fall Musical, MS GSA Advisor

A top hope/wish for your students and/or colleagues?
As I alluded to in my “why I teach” response, finding space for artistry that feeds one's soul is a top hope/wish I have for students and colleagues.

Personal passions/hobbies/pastimes?
Riding horses (hunter jumpers), hiking and spending time in the mountains with my partner and friends, and, of course, singing.

A few favorites…?
Lord of the Rings (both the books and movies); Favorite operatic sopranos are Leontyne Price and Joan Sutherland

Share a tidbit about your family. 
My mom, Debbie, and her sisters, brother, and father were contestants on the “Family Feud” in the early '80s. If you think I'm extroverted, you haven't seen anything!

One thing about yourself your students/colleagues/others probably don't know?
I started riding horses when I was 4-years-old and showed horses* from ages 6 to 23. [In the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic, Keith reached out to connect with his students around joy, horses, and music with this video, in which he teaches a new song from horseback.]

One thing on your life "bucket list" you've already accomplished?
Singing on national television. I sang with my church during a nationally televised Sunday event.

One thing on your life “bucket list” you have yet to accomplish?
Seeing Mt. Everest.

With a tip from Keith, we reached out to hear what a colleague had to say...
LMS music teacher John Barnes said, “I've known Keith for 17 years now, and I can honestly say that Keith is one of the most compassionate leaders and teachers that I know. He consistently puts himself in the shoes of the students and families that he is working with and is loved by his students for this reason. As a department chair, he is always thinking several steps ahead to advance the program and best achieve the needs of our students. I'm honored to consider Keith a colleague and friend!”

*participated in horse shows