Kim Balsinger
Assistant Director of Bands
Shawnee Mission North High School

Kim Balsinger is the new assistant director of bands at Shawnee Mission North.  She also teaches elementary band at six schools.  Prior to this position, she was the director of elementary bands in the Shawnee Mission West attendance area. 
Mrs. Balsinger earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Kansas in 2004, where she studied privately with saxophone professor Vince Gnojek. While completing her undergraduate work, Mrs. Balsinger was a member of various music ensembles at KU including the Saxophone Quartets, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and Percussion/Saxophone Small Ensemble. During the summer of 2002, Mrs. Balsinger marched with a Division 1 drum corps based in Lexington, Kentucky. This experience has provided her valuable insight and knowledge into the marching world. Mrs. Balsinger continues to share her marching expertise through her work with various local high schools.
In the fall of 2009, Mrs. Balsinger completed her Master’s of Music Education degree from the University of Kansas. Her thesis was based on research involving students’ study of instrumental music and the relationship to standardized test scores.
Mrs. Balsinger has adjudicated solo/ensemble festivals and honor group auditions. She also teaches a private clarinet and saxophone studio. Mrs. Balsinger can be heard playing in local musical pits around the Kansas City area. She lives with her husband Dan, who is an audio engineer. Her professional affiliations include Kansas Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for Women, and Kansas Bandmasters Association.

Date of the posting:  May 26, 2010