Moments after introducing Santa Claus at the 34th Annual Holiday Sing, UT Dallas faculty member (and Holiday Sing director) Kathryn Evans received a holiday gift of her own.

Evans was presented with a special Distinguished Service Award to honor her 16 years at UT Dallas. Winston Stone, director of the UT Dallas Wind Ensemble, presented the award to Evans, who received a standing ovation from the packed audience.

Evans served as associate dean of the arts until September, when she stepped down to pursue a doctoral degree in Arts and Technology (ATEC) at UT Dallas. Evans continues to teach vocal and choral music. She also directs the UT Dallas Chamber Singers as well as a host of arts events, including an upcoming performance of scenes from the musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.

During her tenure, Evans created Dallas Pro Musica, a vocal quintet dedicated to the re-creation of vocal music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Early Baroque periods. She also sits on the UT Dallas guitar advisory board.

“For more than a decade, Kathryn Evans devoted her energy, imaginative intelligence, and aesthetic sense to enhance the role and quality of the creative and performing arts at The University of Texas at Dallas,” said Dr. Dennis Kratz, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. “I am pleased to present her with this award celebrating her outstanding service on behalf of the arts.”

Said Kristi Barrus, director of art and performance events, who worked with Evans for the past six years, “Kathryn is a Renaissance woman: She helped transform and expand the art and performance season, she is devoted to her students, and she still performs as a singer.”

Evans is an accomplished recitalist and chamber musician. Before coming to UT Dallas in 1994, she was the director of the Bach Society Chamber Orchestra and Chorus in La Jolla, Calif., and musical director of the Orpheus Ensemble. She founded and directed the Washington Pro Musica and the Early Music Ensemble of San Diego. Evans holds master’s degrees in music and in mathematics from the University of California at San Diego.