Alena Starr Compton was born into a very musical family where she, both her parents, and all seven of her siblings play the violin. Although strings are a big part of her musical foundation, singing has always been her first love, as she would often be the vocalist in family musical performances at weddings and other community events. She loves singing opera—especially coloratura soprano works—as well as musical theater. She also sang in excellent high school choirs that received superior ratings at state. One of her best high school choir memories was performing at Carnegie Hall.
Alena attended Brigham Young University and completed a dual degree in elementary education and music education with a vocal emphasis. She had the opportunity to take lessons from Judy Vincent, Vivien Robison, Clayne Robison, and Anna Braithwaite. She sang in the BYU Women’s Chorus and in BYU Concert Choir under Rosalind Hall. She also sang in BYU Singers under Ronald Staheli and particularly enjoyed their tour of eastern Canada and the eastern United States.
After graduation, she had the unique opportunity of starting a Kodaly music program at Odyssey Charter School in American Fork, Utah. While there, she taught K–8 students and established the school’s children’s choir. She found a great love for teaching different age levels and learning how to adapt to each age while still teaching the core principles of good music making.
Since teaching, Alena has taught private voice and violin from home while taking care of her family. She has taught music to children’s groups at church and is currently conducting church choir each week. Alena and Mike Compton live in the suburbs of Kansas City and are the parents of five beautiful children who also are budding musicians. She has loved being part of MCO’s first year in the Kansas City area and enjoys sharing her love of music history and beautiful, emotive singing with all the choirs.