Jennifer Kennedy

What education have you taken?

I am a fifth year Music Ed. Student here at BU. I will be graduating this coming spring, and I am very much looking forward to going out into the work force and teaching band.

What accomplishments (awards, scholarships, volunteer work, organizations, memberships, etc) are you proud of?

I have been involved in various extra-curricular projects during my time at BU including taking up the position of Public Relations Officer on out Brandon University Music Student Council, leading Kindergarten tours alongside colleagues with students from George Fitton School for the past three years, and, most recently, co-writing a Music Education article exploring school music genres and learning processes with the hope to expand the traditional framework in order to include a wider range of students. I am a member of BUSMEA or music education council, the Manitoba Band Association and the Manitoba Music Educators Association, all of which have allowed me to take part in professional development opportunities to enhance my education. I was placed on the Honours list in 2013, the Dean’s Honour List in 2015, and inducted into the President’s Honour Society in 2015 as well.

Tell us about yourself/ your background/ your history.

I am a drum-set player and have been playing music since the age of 7, beginning with piano lessons in elementary school. I grew up in Winnipeg, MB and I am proud to say I come from a very musical family, which I attribute to my success in music so far.

How did you become interested in your field of study?

Since a young age, I have been interested in education. I was involved in Sunday school teaching at my home church from the ages of 15-18, and was employed at a daycare from 2013-2016. A friend and mentor who graduated from BU urged me to pursue my Music Ed. degree following high school graduation.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Upon graduation from BU I hope to teach music, obtain my Master’s degree in Community Music, and eventually complete my Ph.D. Music is an extremely important part of my life and my hope to sharing my love of music with others.

Nominator’s Comments:

In the spirit of International Women’s Day we are writing to nominate a group of four women.  Although the call for nominations asks for individual nominations, we believe that these women, working together, are greater in partnership than one could ever imagine.

Kelsey Demond, Emily Hodge, Jennifer Kennedy, and Abby Ziprick are students in the five year concurrent Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education program.  Since 2013 they have established a culture of leadership – earmarked by effort and improvement – by providing leadership in Brandon University Student Music Educators Association (BUSMEA) and Brandon University Music Students (BUMS), service to school and community in outreach and Open House, artistry in performance, and excellence in scholarship.  These are simply the beginning of their contributions to their university, community, and chosen profession – music education.  Greg Gatien, Dean of the School of Music remarked, “They are incredible; these students raise one another to a new level.”  They recognize and celebrate one another’s strengths and increase their own learning in the process.  Their continuous willingness to contribute makes them truly outstanding recipients.