Chad Reed is currently director of bands at Shawnee Mission North High School in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Before his appointment to that position in 2001, he was assistant director of bands from 1999-2001. Mr. Reed received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Southwest Baptist University. He studied privately with Dr. William Brown, Dean of Fine Arts. He graduated with honors and received the “Overall Outstanding Music Graduate” award in 1991. In 1998, Mr. Reed completed his Master of Music degree from Southern Illinois University- Carbondale where he graduated with honors.  During graduate school, he studied with Dr. Edwin Romain and Dr. Wilfred Delphin and was a graduate assistant for 2 years. During that time, Mr. Reed was hired to fill in for Dr. Romain during his absence.

After leaving SIU-C, Mr. Reed taught at Lincoln Middle School for six years (1993-99). He has also adjudicated piano and instrumental festivals at both the regional and state level and has also taught in his own private studio of up to 20 students.  Mr. Reed is married to Leeann Reed. They have three children: Stephen (20), Amber (16), and Holly (11).

Contact Mr. Reed: Email: [email protected]  Telephone: 913-993-7028

Maddy Beasley is the Associate Director of Bands at Shawnee Mission North High School, as well as five Shawnee Mission North HS area elementary bands. Prior to this position, she was the director of bands at Riverside School District from 2020-2023.

In the Spring of 2020, Ms. Beasley earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Pittsburg State University. She graduated from the Honors College Association, with Distinguished Honors. During college, Ms. Beasley was a member of the university’s Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and several jazz ensembles, and was a drum major for two years in the Pride of the Plains Marching Band. Ms. Beasley was treasurer, and president, and received the Sword of Honor for Sigma Alpha Iota, Alpha Kappa Chapter, a women’s music fraternity. She was also inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society.

Currently, Ms. Beasley is furthering her education at the University of Kansas. She is working on her Master of Music Education degree and is set to graduate in the Summer of 2025.

Kim Balsinger
Hocker Grove Middle School

Kim Balsinger is band director at Hocker Grove Middle school as well as two Shawnee Mission North HS Area elementary bands.  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.