Sing Play Glorify

GLORIFYING GOD THROUGH MUSICAL EXCELLENCE

Locations

Kansas City School of Music has two locations for your convenience.

Our private studios feature soundproof walls, temperature control, and professional quality instruments. The large classrooms are spacious and include multiple digital pianos for group instruction, as well as acoustic pianos for private lessons. These facilities contribute to our standards of excellence.

Overland Park Campus:

Kansas City School of Music is located on the west side of Metcalf, one block south of 159th Street, in the Metcalf 160 building. Please enter on the south side (lower level). We share the building with other tenants.

16010 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, KS 66085
(913) 888-2444

Lenexa Campus:

Kansas City School of Music is located in the same parking lot as Taco Bell. Our stand-alone building is in front of the shopping center and sits close to 87th Street.

12201 W. 87th St. Pkwy.
Lenexa, KS 66215
(913) 888-2444

 

John Kizilarmut

Percussion Instructor

Email: [email protected]

John Kizilarmut is a percussion teacher at the Kansas City School of Music. He has performed with a wide range of artists and groups including Aretha Franklin, Doc Severinsen, Matt Wilson, Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Logan Richardson, Clark Terry, New York Voices, Ana Gasteyer, Conspirare, Shirley Jones, DJ Starscream, and the Des Moines Symphony.

He is also frequent guest performer and clinician at percussion and jazz festivals throughout the midwest. Additionally, he was a featured artist at the PASIC convention in 2013.

Mr. Kizilarmut is also an active composer and arranger. His works have been featured by many award winning music programs, including the 2013 State Jazz champion Waukee High School Jazz Ensemble, Lake Central High School Band, several DCI Drum Corps, and the University of Texas percussion ensemble.

John has served as a percussion teacher on the faculties of Drake University, Grinnell College, and Northwest Missouri State University.

He currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri with his wife Nicole and son Evan.

 

Return to the Faculty Page

Voice Lessons

Voice students at the Kansas City School of Music receive comprehensive instruction from our exceptional faculty. We accept children and adults of all ability levels. Lessons are tailored to fit each student’s needs. In addition, instructors guide students through the use of a comprehensive vocal curriculum developed by our voice faculty. Our students don’t just sing; they excel at it.

Advantages to Voice Study at Kansas City School of Music

    • Master Teachers
      There’s no understating the importance of having a great voice instructor to teach your child. Our voice instructors at Kansas City School of Music don’t just teach the fundamentals, they help their students realize purpose through musical expression and create a lifelong love of learning. Each of our voice instructors has extensive experience in music education and performance as well as a passion to pass a love of music on to a new generation of talented students. View our instructors’ biographies below.

 

    • Performance Opportunities
      Performing is a crucial part of the learning process when it comes to music. At Kansas City School of Music, we offer a wealth of opportunities for your children to perform in a professional setting. Visit our calendar page to see what upcoming events we have going on.

 

    • Exceptional Facilities
      The quality of facility won’t necessarily impede your child’s ability to learn music, but it can certainly make it more enjoyable. Kansas City School of Music has two locations for your convenience: our Lenexa campus and our Overland Park campus. Both of our state-of-the-art facilities have large and spacious practice rooms, soundproof walls, temperature control, and much more. All of this contributes to our high standard of excellence and allows your student to focus on mastering their musical talents.

 

    • Successful Singing
      Becoming a successful vocalist depends on your child’s ability to master the fundamentals. The goal of our voice instructors is to establish these fundamentals and ensure that your student is ready to practice on their own. We also have a heavy emphasis on vocal health and parent interaction. Breathing, phonation, resonance, versatility, diction, and musicianship will all be taught and mastered through our voice lessons. Additionally, parents are encouraged to get involved in their students learning. Whether it’s sitting in on lessons or assisting them with practice at home.

 

    • Voice Lessons for Young Children
      Many parents are under the impression that they shouldn’t start their children with voice lessons too early. However, young children between the ages of 5 and 13 can see enormous benefits from voice lessons, especially from a great voice instructor. Our teachers will create a custom plan for them based on their age and ability level. If you have any questions about our voice instructors or voice lessons, please contact Kansas City School of Music today.

 

Resources

Piano Lessons

Piano students at the Kansas City School of Music receive comprehensive instruction from our exceptional faculty. We accept children and adults of all ability levels. Piano lessons are tailored to fit each student’s needs. In addition, instructors guide students through the use of a comprehensive piano curriculum developed by our piano faculty. Our students don’t just play piano; they excel at it.

Advantages to Piano Lessons at Kansas City School of Music

    • Comprehensive Piano Curriculum

      At Kansas City School of Music, our piano lessons are designed to train our students in every aspect of the instrument and develop a solid musical foundation. Our piano instructors follow a standardized curriculum. However, instruction will be adjusted based on the strengths and weaknesses of your student’s playing abilities.

    • Master Teachers

      Every great music school starts with experienced music instructors who are looking to make a difference in the lives of their students. Each one of our piano instructors has degrees in music performance and has extensive experience in music education. If you’d like to learn more about each of our piano instructors, you can view their biographies below.

    • Performance Opportunities

      Performing is a key part of learning an instrument. At Kansas City School of Music, we offer ample opportunities for our students to perform. Additionally, students systematically progress through 24 levels of curriculum ranging from beginner through advanced, and must pass an exam at each level. These exams will ensure that they are confident and prepared going into each performance.

    • Exceptional Facilities

      The quality of facility won’t make or break a student’s ability to learn an instrument per se, but it can certainly make it more enjoyable. At Kansas City School of Music, we have two locations for your convenience: our Lenexa campus and our Overland Park campus. Each facility has soundproof walls, temperature control, and professional quality instruments including both digital and acoustic pianos. Our state-of-the-art facilities are just a small part of our standards of excellence.

    • Keyboard Ensembles

      Our keyboard ensembles offer a great way for students to learn in a group setting and take on new challenges that they can’t do practicing on their own. We create ensembles based on the students’ age and ability level so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow as a musician.

    • Parental Involvement

      As a parent, you’re probably looking for any way you can to get involved. Our piano instructors here at Kansas City School of Music are happy to offer you advice and guidance for getting involved with your child’s music education. We require parents to sit in on lessons if their student is in preschool or elementary school because we believe parental involvement is crucial during this stage of musicianship. Visit our parental involvement page to learn more about this.

Resources

Keyboard Ensemble

The keyboard ensemble is an opportunity for students to come together and form rock bands, jazz ensembles, and orchestras through the use of our state-of-the-art digital pianos. Students learn the basics of ensemble playing while performing music that is entertaining and challenging. Groups are formed according to students’ age and ability level. Individual parts are prepared at home and in the lessons, and then rehearsed as an ensemble in our keyboard lab. While rehearsing, students will have the opportunity to simulate various instruments. For example, one student may play a guitar sound on his keyboard, while other students play drums, saxophone, violin, and other sounds.

Our ensemble groups perform twice a year at our Christmas and Spring Ensemble Concerts.  Students must be enrolled in lessons in order to participate in an ensemble.