Teaching others to read and appreciate different types of music, identify and play instruments, and use their voices to create works of art is a gift to the student and to the world.
Music Education
Start your future in music education.
Program Highlights
Opportunity to grow as a musician and educator
The music education degree at Friends University was designed by music educators to develop teachers with the best skills and techniques for teaching music.
Professional Connections
Connect to the professional world of music teaching through involvement in state, regional and national organizations like Kansas Music Educators Association, Kansas Choral Directors Association and the Collegiate chapter of the National Association of Music Education.
Licensed to Teach
Upon successfully passing national teaching exams, those that complete the program are eligible to receive a PK-12 Music teaching license from the state of Kansas.
Passionate Faculty
Music education professors at Friends have extensive public school teaching experience along with diverse education and music backgrounds, all of which contribute to a well-rounded curriculum enjoyed by students.
Opportunities to Grow
Throughout the duration of their studies, students participate in numerous in-the-field experiences to grow as future music educators. From music classroom observations, to teaching internships, students receive real-life opportunities to grow into professional music educators.
Strategic Partnerships
Friends University has built strategic partnerships with each of the six metro-area school districts, allowing our music education majors unique in-the-field experiences in public school music classrooms
Career Services
Helpful career guidance
Concentrations
Focus Areas
Students in the Music Education program have the option to choose a concentration in Instrumental Music Education or Vocal Music Education.
- Instrumental Music EducationStudents in the Instrumental Music Education concentration receive extensive training which prepares them to teach all of the wind, percussion, and string instruments. Students completing this concentration will be prepared to teach concert band, jazz band, marching band, and orchestra at all grade levels. Those that complete the program will be eligible to receive the PK-12 Music license from the Kansas State Department of Education.
- Vocal Music EducationStudents in the Vocal Music Education concentration receive extensive training which prepares them to teach all voice parts from kindergarten through high school. Students completing this concentration will be prepared to teach a variety of choral ensembles including concert choir, chamber choir, and jazz/show choir, as well as elementary general music. Those that complete the program will be eligible to receive the PK-12 Music license from the Kansas State Department of Education.
“I was inspired by the music directors and teachers at Friends University who shaped my talent and gave me the tools I needed to create a classroom environment where students can thrive musically as well as feel safe and included, even during challenging times. Not only am I molding young minds in the realm of music, but I am developing young leaders who are our future change-makers. My motto is: be brave, love others, be seen.”
Panya Amphone, 2020 Graduate, Music Education and Mathematics
“I teach kids important life and academic lessons, and I’m lucky that I’m able to do that through music.”
Danny Darrington, Music Educators
Featured Faculty
Cindy Blasdel
- Theory, Piano
- Fine Arts
- B.M. Piano Performance, Friends University; M.M. Accompanying, Wichita State University
Dr. Steven Blasdel
- Choral Arranging/Orchestration
- Fine Arts
- B.A. Speech (Theatre) Wichita State University; M.M. Church Music, Western Seminary; D.W.S. Worship Studies, The Institute for Worship Studies
Rolaine Hetherington
- Assistant Professor of Music/Applied; Voice (directs Concert Choir)
- Fine Arts
- B.A. Piano Performance and K-12 Music Education, Hendrix College; M.M.Ed. Music Education, M.M. Vocal Performance, Louisiana State University
Dr. Jamie Knight
- Assistant Professor of Piano
- Fine Arts
- B.M. Piano Performance, Friends University; M.M. Piano Performance, D.M.A. Piano Performance, Manhattan School of Music
Dr. Shawn M. Knopp
- Assistant Professor Music Education & Band Director
- Fine Arts
- B.M.E. Music Education, Kansas State University; M.E. Wind Band Conducting, M.M., Kansas State University; PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Kansas State University
Dr. Rayvon T.J. Moore
- Assistant Professor Music, Director: Choral Studies
- Fine Arts
- B.A. Choral Music, University of Southern California; M. M. Choral Conducting, California State University, Fullerton; D.M.A. Conducting, Eastman School of Music
Jennifer Wassemiller
- Elem. Educ Methods
- Fine Arts
- B.M. Friends University; M.M. Emporia State University