Kay Payton came to faith in Jesus on January 3, 1963. She surrendered to full time service in 1970. Kay began singing solos at age 10 and in various church choirs. She began teaching Children’s Choirs at Hyde Park Baptist Church in her junior year of high school and continued in the Children’s Choir Ministries serving as a Children’s Choir Coordinator on staff at 5 different Baptist churches across Texas and California. Payton was a frequent clinician at The Ridgecrest and Glorieta Baptist Encampments, many State Conferences, and at the Texas MusiConference at Baylor University.
Kay wrote two theme songs published for the Baptist Sunday School Board’s Children’s Choir Curriculum, “Let Every Creature Praise the Lord” and “Set Sail For a Great Adventure” arranged by Stan Pethel. Payton wrote curriculum for the Young Musicians, grades 4-6, and the Children’s Choirs, combined grades 1-6, from 1994-2000.
At the age of 38, Kay heard the Lord urging her to return to a formal education. This led to a Bachelors degree in Music, Music Studies emphasis and Minor in Voice from The University of Texas. She taught 9 years in Texas public middle schools and 5 years in a 5A High School, taking a group to perform at Kennedy Center under the direction of Dr. Andre Thomas and Carnegie Hall, singing, the Hayden, “Paukenmesse” under the direction of Dr. Daniel Barra. Today, Payton is a Field Supervisor for the University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University, mentoring student teachers.
Kay Payton has been the Artistic Director for the Singing Women of Central Texas for their entire 10 yr existence. She emphasizes Choral excellence while maintaining a focus on Worship.
“Our purpose is to lead our congregation to Worship the Lord through scripture and song. We do not perform – we lead worship.”