Karl Pratt

Executive Director

A native of Hoxie, Karl graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2014 with a B.M. in vocal performance. He was a member of the FHSU concert choir and elite Fort Hays Singers during his student tenure. He has extensive musical and opera credits to his name. Favorite roles include Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls and Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Opera credits include Nemorino in The Elixir of Love, The Witch in Hansel and Gretel, Pierre in The Wandering Scholar, the title role in L’orfeo and Cedrick Prestwich in The Impresario.

Karl began studying piano in 1998 under Carol Kliewer, Grainfield, until 2000, when he studied with Sharon Kriss, formerly of Colby until his graduation from high school in 2006. He continued his studies in college with Tali Morgulis, the late John Huber, and Irena Ravitskaya.

Karl enjoyed learning more about "how the other half (non-performer) lives" when he served as stage and music director of Hays Community Theatre's production of Mary Poppins in 2017 and music director of Dreamwork's Shrek The Musical in 2016.

He returned home to Hoxie after 12 years in Hays, most recently serving as the communications coordinator at the FHSU Alumni Association. He has taught private voice and piano lessons since 2010 and, in the fall of 2018, opened studios in Hoxie, Colby, Goodland and St. Francis. In mid-2020, he purchased "The Living Room" at 721 Main St in Hoxie and moved his music and art studio, Bottle KAP Studios, into the building, which also serves as the home of the Main Street Arts Council.

Additionally, Karl serves as board liaison to the Sheridan County Community Foundation, also housed in Bottle KAP Studios.