Central Oklahoma Homeschool Choirs began in 1996 under the name Oklahoma City Homeschool Choirs. Directed by Sue Vanderwater, the organization grew from one choir to three, setting the standard of excellence in homeschool choral education.
In 2009, Dr. Michael Dean assumed ownership of the choirs upon Vanderwater’s retirement. With the assistance of his wife, Kim Dean, and choral director, Kathy Gossen, the choirs expanded to four choirs.
In 2012, Kathy Gossen took over the choirs and quickly filed for 501(c)(3) status with the help of a founding board. Central Oklahoma Homeschool Choirs (COHC) officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the Spring of 2014, the same year the choirs expanded from one location to three. For the first time, the choirs became owned by the membership instead of a sole proprietor.
In 2015, Elizabeth Lopez, a COHC choral director, took over as Executive Director. She guided the group until May of 2017 when Jacque Hocking became Executive Director for a semester. Kathy Gossen served as interim Executive Director for one year while searching for a new Executive Director. Minda Ciardi now serves as interim Executive Director and looks forward to seeing COHC continue to grow as an inspiration for choral excellence in the central Oklahoma homeschool community.