Lessons from a Reflective Teacher: Kelli Pence on Engaging Students and Handling Challenges

Recorded in front of a live audience, Alan and Steve sit down with renowned band director Dr. Kelli Pence to learn from her wealth of experience. Kelli reflects on her early teaching days, sharing the mistakes she made and the strategies she’s developed over the years to effectively engage students and manage classroom challenges – including dealing with those dreaded “nasty grams” from parents. Kelli also shares invaluable insights from her mentors, like the legendary Mallory Thompson, on the importance of musicianship, the value of teaching at all levels, and the role of marching band. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom and inspiration for music educators at any stage of their career.

Dr. Kelli Pence

Dr. Kelli Pence currently serves as Director of Bands for Broken Arrow Public Schools and has taught in the district since 2008. Prior to coming to Broken Arrow, she taught at Marshall University and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Dr. Pence is the conductor of multiple concert bands, co-director of the Pride of Broken Arrow Marching Band, and instructor of AP Music Theory. Dr. Pence’s ensembles have received consistent OSSAA Sweepstakes Awards for excellence on the concert stage and marching field. Her Symphonic Band 1 was selected
to perform as an Honor Ensemble at the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Annual Conference in 2016 and 2020. Symphonic Band 1 was also selected as a Featured Ensemble for the 2020 Music For All National Concert Band Festival. Dr. Pence earned Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance degrees from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Music Performance degree from
Northwestern University and a Doctorate of Music Performance in saxophone performance with an emphasis in wind conducting from Northwestern University. Her principal teachers have included Dr. Frederick L. Hemke, Dr. John Sampen, Dr. Mallory Thompson, and Dr.
Ryan T. Nelson. As a saxophonist, Dr. Pence has performed with the Grant Park Symphony, Elmhurst Symphony, Miami Valley Symphony, was a soloist and chamber performer throughout Italy as part of the Studio Arts Center Internationale and Faenza Festival del Sassofono, and was a soloist and chamber performer in Trondheim, Norway and at
Domaine Forget in Canada. Dr. Pence has been a member of the faculty of the National High School Music Institute and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, served as vice president for the Northeast Oklahoma Band
Directors Association, served on several strategic planning committees for the Broken Arrow School District and continues to work around the United States as an adjudicator and clinician.


Show Notes