Jeremy Rupe

I have taught at the college level for 15 years, and have performed extensively over 45 years. I hold three degrees in music education, studying percussion and voice. I hold an Associate in Arts in music education with emphasis in jazz from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas, a Bachelor of Arts in music with a minor in musical theater from Fort Hays State University in  Hays, Kansas, a Master of Music Education with an emphasis in choral conducting from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas, and have completed 25 doctoral hours in music education at Liberty Iniversity in Lynchburg, Virginia.

I have conducted large ensembles (over 150 performers) and small chamber groups, both choral and instrumental. I have taught privately for 10 years, emphasizing voice mainly but have taught Bass and Drums as well. I have also performed in over 30 stage musicals, plays, and operas including shows such as The Music Man, Sound of Music, West Side Story, Into The Woods, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers, and Puccini's Gianni Schicci. In 2010, I recorded my first CD called PKs. In addition, I have toured with a few bands. My first band, Malted Milk, was a Blues band in which I played drums and sang. This group toured regularly in the northwest Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, and Oklahoma areas. I also played bass and sang in a band called TripFire. This was a country and rock band that toured locally as well. In 2009, I joined a band called Random Tragedy, an alt/punk/emo band. I played drums and sang in that group.

Teaching is my passion, however. Teaching the next generation to understand, appreciate, and love music in their own way has always been my goal in my career. Currently, I teach vocal and instrumental music at Pratt Community College in Pratt, Kansas. I have been teaching for 15 yeas in this capacity. I currently arrange all music for my show choir, emphasizing ear training in the process. This group performs many styles from classic rock to country to Disney to Broadway. 

I favor a more comfortable style of teaching. I have always believed that when a student is comfortable their learning improves. I prefer to use examples that relate to each student's musical experience. Since each student comes from a different musical background, it is important to learn about each student individually. Lessons are not limited to just classical music, of course. I teach many styles. Each different style has a different technique.