About
- Associate Professor of Music
- Director of Bands
EDUCATION
B.A. University of Kansas
B.M.E. Washburn University
M.M. Kansas State University
Kyle Hopkins is an Associate Professor of Music, Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at McPherson College. During his tenure at McPherson College the band program has experienced unprecedented growth and success – from eight students to one of the largest band programs in the conference, and being selected to play at the Kansas Music Educators Association State Convention four times in the past six years.
Kyle holds degrees from the University of Kansas, Washburn University and Kansas State University. Prior to returning to college to obtain his first music education degree, he was a Disability Examiner for the State of Kansas specializing in childhood disabilities. Before accepting his position at McPherson College, he was Director of Bands in the McPherson Public Schools for 12 years and before that he taught in Topeka and Shawnee Mission. He is the recipient of McPherson College’s 2015 Faculty Teaching Award. And in 2011, he was voted USD 418’s Teacher of the Year by its faculty and staff.
In addition to being a sought-after clinician, conductor and adjudicator, Kyle remains active on his French horn. He performs regularly with the Salina Symphony as principal horn and the Wichita Grand Opera, Hutchinson Symphony and Wichita Symphony as substitute horn. Kyle and his wife Christi have two grown sons who are active in music. Isaac is the band director at Ell-Saline (his wife Meredith is the orchestra director in Hutchinson), and Ben works for and performs with the Denver Brass in Denver, Colorado.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
“Throughout history, whenever humans have been faced with the ultimate questions of life and existence, they have relied upon music in their search for meaning. So I am passionate about teaching music and strive to pass on my love of music to my students. I have high expectations for my students to succeed at whatever their individual skill level is. I want them to experience music at its best so they can experience life at its best.”
Contact
- Phone: 620-242-0521
- Email: [email protected]