Kathy Gene Shelhart (of Harrison, NY) died on September 5, 2021 in a moment of peace having spent 69 years chasing her dreams. Though her death was sudden and devastating, she was surrounded by family in her final moments.

Kathy was born on October 23, 1951 in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in Toledo; Dearborn, Michigan; and Watertown, Connecticut, where she graduated high school in 1969. In 1974 Kathy received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Major: Cello; Minor: Piano) from the University of Connecticut and continued her studies by achieving her Master’s degree in Music Education (Double Major: Cello, Violin) from Ithaca College in 1981.

Kathy built a 45+ year career as a music educator with positions that spanned four countries. She taught strings, orchestra, Suzuki method, and conservatory and college methods in both private and public institutions as well as at teacher training courses. She built and restarted several music programs which are resoundingly improved structures even after her departure. Kathy was versed in the Dalcroze, Kodaly, and Orff-Schulwerk methods and studied directly under Dr. (h.c.) Shinichi Suzuki (Suzuki Method) and other renowned figures. She served on the Board of Directors for the Westchester County School Music Association, and her orchestra won two Gold Awards from the New York State School Music Association.

Kathy held teaching positions at the Dartmouth public schools in Dartmouth, Massachusetts (Junior and Senior High School Orchestra Ensemble); Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey; Mannes College of Music Prepatory Divison (Choir, Cello, Violin); private students in Hamilton, New Zealand; Victoria Teacher’s College in Melbourne (string pedagogy), Australia; The American School in Japan Nursery Kindergarten (preschool music and movement); The American School in Japan in Tokyo, Japan (elementary general music, choir, children’s theater); and a 20-year tenure as Orchestra Director at HC Crittenden Middle School in Armonk, New York; amongst others.

Kathy had a unique ability to guide her students in realizing their full potential; several have gone on to become world-renowned concert musicians. Her students have won numerous awards including first prize winners at the Menuhin International and Wettbewerb für Violoncello Competitions, placement in professional orchestras and quartets, doctoral candidates at the Julliard School, television appearances, solo appearances with the Melbourne Symphony tours, and exchange concerts with the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Her student successes have been featured soloists at AUSTA workshops, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Master Classes with Anner Bylsma, YoYo Ma, Aldo Parisot, and Irene Sharp. Her students and colleagues, who spanned a range of ages (18-months+), skill levels (beginner – collegiate), and cultures, can attest to the impact she made in their lives.

In addition to her work as an educator, Kathy was an accomplished performer. She played with the Manchester Orchestra, Boston Ballet, the Boston Civic Symphony, Brockton Symphony Orchestra, Dearborn Opera Company, Waikato Chamber Orchestra as the Principal Cellist and in radio broadcasts with The Waikato Trio. She premiered her music healing work, “Blue Ocean” on electric cello at the Rubin Museum. Kathy was also a skilled accompanist and performer of violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, piano, voice, percussion, and world instruments. She had certifications in meditation for educators, Suzuki teacher training, world drumming, and integrative sound healing, and was well versed in choral performance, jazz improvisation, conducting, children’s theater, music theater, African drumming, African dance, Balinese dance, Irish dance, dulcimer, gamelon, koto and taiko drumming.

Kathy was an avid adventurer and world traveler. She traveled throughout China, Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and India, often alone and in remote corners. She explored with an open heart and mind, drank in new cultures, and made lasting friendships. At age 31, she moved intrepidly from New York to Hamilton, New Zealand to take a position sight unseen. There she met her future husband, David Sayers, and later relocated to Melbourne, Australia, where they married (later divorced), and she had her first child, Nina. She moved several times again: to Princeton, NJ; New York, NY; and Tokyo, Japan; where she had her second child, Michael. Kathy helped to start Sayers & Yung in Tokyo, Japan and Sayers & Singer in New York, NY. Kathy settled in Westchester County, NY, and continued to travel the world until her death.

Kathy developed a global lens through her travels which broadened her mastery of not only music education, but self-inquiry. Kathy was a lifelong teacher and learner who at every opportunity took continuing courses to remain at the top of her field. In the pursuit of growth, she branched out beyond music education into new modalities and spiritual practices, gaining certifications in music therapy, meditation, reiki, qi gong (studied in Sweden), and biosonic sound healing. She was a spiritual person who consistently sought communion with nature and inquiry into the human experience.

Kathy was a dreamer who was always meeting the next challenge, conceiving the new idea, and planning the upcoming adventure in all her life endeavors. She had a thirst for life and modeled support of those around her. Kathy believed in people, advocating for her students, children, loved ones, community, and global peers. She connected with people easily and gave of herself freely, living vivaciously with curiosity and tremendous empathy. She lives on through the love of her children, siblings, and communities around the world.

Kathy Gene Shelhart was predeceased by her parents Robert and Kathryn Shelhart of Brentwood, Tennessee. She is survived by her daughter Nina Sayers of Los Angeles, California; son Michael Sayers of Chicago, Illinois; sister Susan Shelhart of Hauppauge, New York; brother John Shelhart of New Milford, Pennsylvania; and brother Mark Shelhart of Nashville, Tennessee.

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