Founding

In 1978, Kathe Lyth founded the Redwood Coast Children's Chorus.  She began with only five students; however, Kathe's ambition was strong, and as her chorus grew, so did her mission. 

She expanded the chorus into 4 levels of musical training beginning with children as young as 2 years old and up to 19 years old.  Her motivation was to create a program where children would develop a caliber in musicianship of the highest quality, yet with a non-competive focus; her dream being to share this music with the world. 

In 1989, after incredible community support, the RCCC raised $40,000 and embarked on its 1st World Harmony tour to Russia and Romania.  It was an experience so groundbreaking that a tradition was born - one that has now lead hundreds of singers to sixteen countries since that time. 

In 2005, Kathe was invited by world renowned pianist Maria Joao Pires to begin a children's chorus and to train teachers in Salamanca, Spain under the financial support of the Foundation of Caja Duero, one of the largest banks in Spain. In the two years kathe was away administering this exciting new project, her daughter, Sasha Lyth, took over direction of the RCCC.  In 2007, Sasha led the RCCC on their 9th World Harmony Tour to Spain to meet with Kathe's newly established chorus.  This tour was sponsered by the Caja Duero foundation and was perhaps the most successful tour to date.  The two choruses rehearsed together daily, lived together, and participated in workshops together, while performing for widely publisized events in a variety of regions and venues around the country. 

Kathe has since returned to Humboldt County where she continues to direct the RCCC. Sasha Lyth now works primarily with the RCCC's newly established youth art program.