Dr. Melody L. Kuphal began performing professionally and directing church choirs at age 12. While she was earning her B. S. in Special Education with a minor in music from NIU she split her time between working with adults with developmental disabilities and working in the music field by teaching private music lessons and subbing as an organist or pianist for area churches. While Melody worked on her M.S. in Educational Administration, she continued to teach private music lessons and work as a special education teacher in the Illinois public school system.
When Melody relocated to Lake in the Hills in 1999 with her husband Kevin, she continued to teach private music lessons and worked in special education teacher while transitioning into her new church call at Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Algonquin, IL. As the Kuphal family grew with the addition of Alex and Alyssa, Melody left the special education classroom to devote more time to her family, her music studio, and her work at Light of Christ.
In 2009 Melody recorded her first album, a collection of Christmas Carols played on piano with the addition of her first original piece, “Hope Has Come.” Melody’s role at Light of Christ continued to grow, including work with the children’s choir, children’s theater productions, and “Musictime with Melody” in the Light of Christ Preschool. Melody’s passion to share biblically grounded music with children grew, resulting in the first album of the Mighty Kids series: “Mighty Praise.”
As Melody transitioned into her position at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles in the fall of 2013, she found Hosanna! was writing their own VBS curriculum each year, but they did not have a CD of music to go along with their themes. As a result, Melody began producing a Mighty Kids album every year to be used in conjunction with Hosanna!’s VBS curriculum and throughout the year with Hosanna!’s 60+ voice children’s choir. During this time, she also earned her Doctorate in Worship Studies from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship (IWS), graduating June 2017, quickly accepting an adjunct teaching position at Judson University as the Worship Arts Internship Coordinator. Melody’s work through Judson and IWS led to an invitation to join the teaching faculty of IWS, where she currently teaches a masters level and a doctoral level course in “Research Writing” as well as walking alongside doctoral students as they write their dissertations.
Melody has a passion for generations mutually engaging in worship together. She believes children are crafted to lead worship in special ways in their youth and hopes children who lead as youngsters will grow up to be adults able to share the Gospel with confidence and courage. If you are interested in inviting Melody to lead worship music or teach in your ministry, please fill out the contact form for more information.
Dr. Melody L. Kuphal began performing professionally and directing church choirs at age 12. While she was earning her B. S. in Special Education with a minor in music from NIU she split her time between working with adults with developmental disabilities and working in the music field by teaching private music lessons and subbing as an organist or pianist for area churches. While Melody worked on her M.S. in Educational Administration, she continued to teach private music lessons and work as a special education teacher in the Illinois public school system.
When Melody relocated to Lake in the Hills in 1999 with her husband Kevin, she continued to teach private music lessons and worked in special education teacher while transitioning into her new church call at Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Algonquin, IL. As the Kuphal family grew with the addition of Alex and Alyssa, Melody left the special education classroom to devote more time to her family, her music studio, and her work at Light of Christ.
In 2009 Melody recorded her first album, a collection of Christmas Carols played on piano with the addition of her first original piece, “Hope Has Come.” Melody’s role at Light of Christ continued to grow, including work with the children’s choir, children’s theater productions, and “Musictime with Melody” in the Light of Christ Preschool. Melody’s passion to share biblically grounded music with children grew, resulting in the first album of the Mighty Kids series: “Mighty Praise.”
As Melody transitioned into her position at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles in the fall of 2013, she found Hosanna! was writing their own VBS curriculum each year, but they did not have a CD of music to go along with their themes. As a result, Melody began producing a Mighty Kids album every year to be used in conjunction with Hosanna!’s VBS curriculum and throughout the year with Hosanna!’s 60+ voice children’s choir. During this time, she also earned her Doctorate in Worship Studies from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship (IWS), graduating June 2017, quickly accepting an adjunct teaching position at Judson University as the Worship Arts Internship Coordinator. Melody’s work through Judson and IWS led to an invitation to join the teaching faculty of IWS, where she currently teaches a masters level and a doctoral level course in “Research Writing” as well as walking alongside doctoral students as they write their dissertations.
Melody has a passion for generations mutually engaging in worship together. She believes children are crafted to lead worship in special ways in their youth and hopes children who lead as youngsters will grow up to be adults able to share the Gospel with confidence and courage. If you are interested in inviting Melody to lead worship music or teach in your ministry, please fill out the contact form for more information.