DIRECTORS AND STAFF
Kara Whitaker
Co-Director of Bands
Ms. Kara Whitaker has had the opportunity to begin her teacher career in the Valley Center School District. Prior to teaching in Valley Center, Ms. Whitaker graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Music Education. While there, she was active in several music ensembles including Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and the Pride of Wildcat Marching Band where she was involved in the Mellophone section and Student Staff.
Ms. Whitaker has also participated as a member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps based out of Denver, Colorado. During her involvement, she was a member of the mellophone section in 2017, 2018, and became mellophone section leader in 2019. She continues to stay active in the corps by acting as the Brass Staff Intern.
Julianna Sorenson
Color Guard Instructor
Bri Parker
Percussion
Ashlee Baysinger
Brass and Visual Tech
JAN VERBOOM
Co-Director of Bands
In his 12th year at Valley Center and 24th year of teaching instrumental music, Mr. Jan Verboom Co-Directs all the Instrumental Ensembles 5th through 12th grades at Valley Center. Mr. Verboom is a Graduate of Wichita State University where he performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, WSU Pep Band, Jazz Combos, Percussion Ensembles, Steel Band, Marching Percussion, and “Shocker” Marching Band. Mr. Verboom is a former student of Dr. J.C. Combs, Myles Mazur, Brad Bone, Dr. Victor Markovich, and student teaching with Dr. Charles Menghini in the Olathe School District.
He began his music education career as the Percussion Instructor at Wichita North High School and was Assistant Band Director and District Percussion Coordinator in the Goddard Public Schools for twelve years prior to coming to Valley Center. Mr. Verboom has been involved with a number of ensembles and organizations as an Instructor or Percussion Arranger including Goddard, Buhler, Derby, Olathe North, the Kansas Lions International and State Bands, the Performance Arts Foundation, the Kansas Masonic Band, and the Quad City Knights Drum and Bugle Corps along with providing private percussion instruction to students. As an instructor, clinician, adjudicator, and performer, Mr. Verboom has traveled through the United States, Canada, and England.
He was chosen as a “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” in 2002 and is a member of MENC, Kansas Music Educators Association, and the Kansas Bandmasters Association.
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