Shawn Knopp

Shawn M. Knopp serves as Assistant Professor of Music Education, Director of Bands and Music Education Program Director at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.  At Friends, he conducts the Concert Band, Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and the Falcon Beat Basketball Band.  Additionally, he teaches courses in music education, conducting, instrumental methods, and advises the collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education.  Outside of his university duties, Shawn is in demand as an honor band conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the region.

 

Prior to his appointment at Friends University, Shawn was an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Tabor College where he oversaw all aspects of the instrumental music program.  While at Tabor, he developed a jazz ensemble with full instrumentation, established a drumline, and created a stipend-based basketball band, all of which helped to nearly triple the overall enrollment of the band program.  He has also served on the faculties of McPherson College, Central Christian College and Bethany College. 

 

Knopp has extensive public school teaching experience which includes service as Director of Bands for the Smoky Valley Public Schools in Lindsborg, Kansas from 2005-2016, where he taught grades 5-12.  Under his direction, the Smoky Valley High School Concert Band earned First Division-Superior ratings from 2007-2016 at the State Large Group Music Festival and solos and ensembles under his direction consistently received top ratings at regional and state festivals.  The Smoky Valley High School Concert Band was selected to perform at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Convention in 2009, 2013, and 2014 and the Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform in 2015.   Knopp also served as Director of Bands for the Solomon Public Schools from 2003-2005.

 

Shawn earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting degrees from Kansas State University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Music Education cognate at Kansas State. 

 

His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Kansas Music Educators Association, College Band Directors National Association, Kansas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  Shawn has served the Kansas Music Educators Association-South Central District as President, Vice-President, High School Honor Band Chair, and Middle School Honor Band Chair and currently serves the Kansas Bandmasters Association as its College and University Representative. 

 

Shawn and his wife Libby have twin daughters, Madelyn and Violet.  The twins are 7 and enjoy the never-ending supply of Disney princess movies.