KELLY KNEDLER, Choral Music & Musical Theatre Director

    

     Kelly Knedler is the director of choral music and musical theatre at Dodge City High School, and the State Music Advocacy Chair, State Government Relations Chair and Executive Director of the Southwest division of Kansas Music Educator's Association. This is his 26th year teaching vocal music. He has taught in public, private, and collegiate settings in Kansas, Colorado and Arkansas. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education in vocal music from Fort Hays State University and a Master of Music performance degree in choral conducting from the University of Arkansas. He is the recipient of the 2016-2017 National Federation of State High School Associations and Kansas State High School Activities Association Outstanding music educator for Kansas. And, Kelly was a 2016 Semi-Finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year.

​

     During the past 35 years, he has worked extensively in the theatrical realm holding such "roles" as actor, director, music director, and set designer/builder in over 60 stage productions from musical to opera. He especially enjoys sharing his musical gifts as a singer and songwriter with his church and community. In his "spare time," he lends his voice as a vocal and choral music adjudicator, voiceover artist, master of ceremonies, disc jockey, public address announcer and sports radio analyst. However, his favorite "role" is that of husband to Tami and father of Aria and Alden.

 

     Kelly states: “As an educator, I want to create excitement in my students for learning, music and life! I believe that it is important to understand what motivates one’s students. I use classroom experiences and create excellent rapport, which allows me to know my students, so that I can understand learning styles and what makes them feel special in my classroom. When I teach I constantly search for students who are experiencing success in the class. I teach with compassion for all students. I learned this from several teachers I had at the middle, high school, and collegiate level. I am very creative person and educator, who doesn’t always fit the traditional mold. I am always looking for a way to give my students an opportunity to feel our lessons and be moved through the teamwork that must take place in order to complete our musical tasks! Teaching, even on a difficult day, gives me the opportunity to help students move beyond themselves. I didn’t choose my profession, I feel that it chose me!”