Staff

Matt Wooten is the Director of Bands and the Director of the School of the Arts at Christian Academy of Louisville. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Western Kentucky University as well as a Masters in Music Education from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Under his direction the band program at Christian Academy has grown from 50 students in 2003 to currently over 200 students in grades 5-12 grade. The CAL Wind Ensemble program was created in 2008 and has performed at the Grade VI level and has received a Distinguished or Superior rating each year at both the District and the National level. In 2016 this ensemble earned the Bronze Award for Concert Bands at the Festival Disney competition in Orlando, Florida and in 2018 won the Golden Mickey at the same competition.  In 2013 the Marching Centurions were named a KMEA State Finalist and in 2017 were named a Midwest Championship finalist in Class AA. In 2022 they finished 2nd at the Bands of America Obetz regional in class A.  

In 2009 Mr. Wooten developed and continues to direct the Christian Academy School of the Arts with the help of an incredible staff. The CAL School of the Arts program currently serves over 125 students in both visual and performing arts. Alumni have gone on to receive degrees from several state universities as well as the Peabody Institute, North Texas University, Belmont University, Jacobs School of Music and Samford University. Mr. Wooten is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity and the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster’s Fraternity. He has been married to his wife Leslie for 26 years. Together they have two children, Sammy, a bassoonist currently attending Western Kentucky University as a Music Education major  and Hannah, who plays the trumpet in Christian Academy Honors Wind Ensemble, Marching Centurions, Honors Jazz Band and Symphonic Orchestra.

Kristin earned her Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Education at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York and her Master of Arts in Flute Performance from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She teaches 5th grade band, 6th grade band and 7th grade band as well as exciting extra-curricular band opportunities like Middle School Jazz Band. Her groups have consistently received Distinguished Ratings at Performance Assessment each year. Prior to coming to Christian Academy in 2015 she spent nine years in a public school in Buffalo, New York teaching elementary and middle school band. 

A favorite experience during her time at Christian Academy: “Christian Academy has formally introduced me to the world of Marching Band and, each year, I am moved by its intensity and its unique way of communicating the gospel. Mr. Wooten does an incredible job of shepherding the hearts of the students so that they are primed to express with profound maturity and humility the most significant message of all.”

Angela began her teaching career as a choir director at Christian Academy in 2011. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Liberty University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Louisville. Prior to being the high school director, Angela conducted the middle school choirs at CAL for ten years. Under her direction, both the CAL Middle School Choirs and the High School Honors Chorale were selected to perform at the Kentucky Music Educators Conference (2015 and 2023).  Recently, the Chorale received a Distinguished Rating and was named the Top Overall Choir at the Chicago Festivals of Music competition (2023). They also received a Superior Rating and Best in Class at the Festival Disney Competition in 2022 and 2024. The Show Choir also recently received a Superior Rating and an overall 1st place Rating at the Festivals of Music competition in Kings Island. Angela conducts the Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, Show Choir and Honors Chorale, in addition to team-teaching AP Music Theory and being the Music Director for CAL High School’s Spring Musicals. In her free time, she enjoys playing keys and singing with her church worship team. 

“More than learning how to sing, I pray that my students grow to love Jesus and honor Him with all they sing, say, and do!”

Kathryn joined the Christian Academy team in 2021. She graduated from Campbellsville University with her bachelor’s degree in vocal music education. She previously served as a K-8 music teacher in Shelby County prior to coming to CALMS. Mrs. Hughes directs the 6th grade choir, 7th grade girls, 7th grade boys and 8th grade choir. In her four years at CAL, the middle school choir program has grown to 140+ students, each year having students participating in All-state choir and receiving Distinguished ratings. Kathryn’s husband serves as the Director of Student Ministry at Hurstbourne Baptist Church and she enjoys serving with him in that area. She and her husband have recently welcomed their first child, Clara, into the world!

“I have a heart for students to know Jesus as their personal savior. I believe that music can have such a special part in drawing us closer to our Heavenly Father and I feel blessed to be used by Him in teaching your students.”

Randall DeMerchant comes to Christian Academy of Louisville as piano instructor and choral ensemble accompanist in Fall of 2023 after 10 years of collegiate level instruction at universities in Kentucky and Missouri. Mr. DeMerchant has experience teaching private piano and voice lessons, music courses including music history and literature, theory, conducting, worship studies and biblical studies. In the concert venue, Mr. DeMerchant has been blessed with the opportunity to perform a variety of works as a pianist, vocalist and conductor. Students of Mr. DeMerchant have gone on to complete baccalaureate and graduate degrees in music from universities across the United States. A native of Toronto, Canada, Mr. DeMerchant and his family have lived in Louisville for over nine years. 

April MacDonald earned her undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Louisville School of Music and her Master’s Degree in Education from Indiana University Southeast with additional studies from Ohio State University in string education studies. She began her teaching career in the Shelby County school system then the Jefferson County school system in Louisville. In 2006, feeling led to Christian education, Mrs. MacDonald accepted the Orchestra Director position at Christian Academy of Louisville.

Under her direction, the program grew from one middle school and one high school orchestra, which included approximately twenty students, to a program today that includes six orchestras serving well over a hundred string players. In 2005, the CAL Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra were selected to perform at the Kentucky Music Educators Conference. In 2018, these groups plus the CAL Concert Orchestra were again chosen to perform at the KMEA Conference. Mrs. MacDonald is an active member of the Kentucky Music Educators Association where she has served All State Commonwealth Strings coordinator and as Festival Manager for KMEA District 12 here in Louisville.

Her family includes her husband, Mike MacDonald, and their kids Brooke and Kaden, both CAL Orchestra grads.

Courtney Murfin earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Louisville and her Graduate degree in Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Before her time at Christian Academy, beginning in 2013, Courtney was the orchestra teacher for South Warren Middle and High Schools for Warren County Public Schools in Bowling Green, KY. She currently conducts the 5th-8th grade orchestras. Her students consistently receive Distinguished ratings at Performance Assessment. In 2024 one of her orchestras was selected to perform at the Kentucky Music Educators Conference. 

“Middle school is such a unique time in a child’s development. I love watching students grow in confidence as musicians and seeing their personalities shine! The motley crew of the orchestra room is a constant reminder that we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ by our creator.”