Music students from Lincoln High in San Jose pay tribute teacher Anne-Marie Katemopoulos’ 20th anniversary at school

Originally published in the San Jose Mercury News May 19, 2011

By Mary Gottschalk

Over the past two decades Anne-Marie Katemopoulos has become affectionately known as Mrs. K to her music students at Lincoln High School.

Now, her students are saluting her 20-year anniversary at the school with the Lincoln Music Department finale concert on May 28 at 4 p.m. at Campbell United Methodist Church.

Katemopoulos started teaching with San Jose Unified School District in 1989 at San Jose High Academy, transferring after three years to Lincoln, the district’s performing arts magnet high school.

“Anne-Marie Katemopoulos exemplifies all that is good about music education,” says Jackie Zeller, Lincoln principal. “She has the ability to take a fledgling student and create a harmonious songbird.”

Without her dedication and talent, Zeller says, “Lincoln High School would not be the special place that it is today. Mrs. K means Lincoln choir.”

For her 20th anniversary concert, Katemopoulos has chosen choral favorites from her years teaching, including Festival Sanctus, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and How Do You Keep the Music Playing.

Lincoln alumni are joining with current students for the event.

Katemopoulos is a graduate of Branham High School and earned both her B.A. and M.A. degrees in music at San Jose State University. As an undergraduate and graduate student, she was particularly inspired by the well-known Charlene Archibeque and performed with the acclaimed SJSU Choraliers.

Under Katempoulos’ direction, Lincoln’s students have performed throughout the United States and many have gone on to professional careers in the performing arts.

Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for students. They are available online at www.lincolnperformingarts.com and at the door, if any remain. The church is located at 1675 Winchester Blvd., in Campbell.