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QUESTIONS ABOUT CALIFORNIA’S PROP 28?
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Experience award-winning service from music education experts who are passionate about learning.
When you’re re-imagining your music education program, you need inspiration. Ideas that are informed, insightful, and proven to deliver in real-life classrooms. This is exactly what you can expect from West Music.
From day one, we connect you with your own dedicated music education expert – someone who can help you making meaningful changes that are on-time and on-budget. Most of us are music educators and musicians just like you. So ask us the tough questions. Challenge us with your conundrums and constraints. You’ll get in-depth answers and honest advice to help your music program flourish.
Adam Balling – National Sales Manager
Concert and Marching Percussion
Adam Balling currently serves as the National Sales Manager and has been with West Music for over 12 years. His previous positions with West were providing sales and service for their concert, marching, and world percussion division, Percussion Source. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and holds degrees in percussion performance and music education. He specializes in middle school and higher percussion; everything from marimbas, to drumlines, to professional triangles. Adams lives in the Chicagoland area and enjoys playing with community band groups in his free time and assembling his all-star family band with his one- and four-year-old sons.
Tenea Fabray – National Sales Consultant
Classroom Percussion
Tenea says, “If you can’t play it slow, you can’t play it fast.” We really need that on a t-shirt or something. She is primarily a percussionist, but she also plays guitar and ukulele. Tenea earned a B.A. in percussion from Iowa State and went on to get her Master’s in teaching from Drake University. When not at work, she plays timpani for the Central Iowa Symphony and Ames Municipal Band. We’re loving her latest recommendation: the “My Discovery Weekly” playlist on Spotify.
Randy Hargis – National Sales Consultant
Orff & Repair, Mariachi
Randy is an expert on classroom Orff instruments and accessories, along with classroom percussion. If you’re embarking on the music classroom grant journey, reach out to him – he’s quite knowledgeable on the process. Hit him up for some helpful tips!
Liz Hartley – National Sales Consultant
Kids, Movement, & Audio
Liz Hartley spent nine years in the elementary classroom in North Carolina and began as a National Sales Consultant with West Music in 2022. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in saxophone performance, then went on to receive her master’s in music education with a concentration in choral conducting from the University of Florida. She holds her first Orff level from Appalachian State and is a member of AOSA and her local chapter, Central Carolina. She served as the music director for the Justice Theater Project’s summer camps for five years and continues to serve on their events committee. When she isn’t up to her elbows in music education, Liz loves to dance, performing in recitals with other adults throughout the year.
Ann Kephart – National Sales Consultant
Band & Orchestra, Classroom Accessories
Ann Kephart started her career in elementary special education. After starting a family, she transitioned to working part time in her husband’s family music store in 1995. In 2014 she became the store manager when the company merged with West Music and then in 2020 joined the National Sales Team. She’s a mother of four – two of whom earned music degrees from Luther College. Ann played piano and sang in choirs during her formative years. Ann also co-directed a Nordic dance group for 15 years. Ann loves working with customers to find the right items for their classrooms and to spread the joy of music.
Jim Kephart – National Sales Consultant
Recorders and Nuvo Instruments
Jim grew up in his family’s full-service music store in Decorah Iowa and was surrounded by all-things music from the very beginning. Jim played trumpet and sang in choir throughout high school and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Luther College. Jim worked in the family business as an educational sales representative and serviced kindergarten through college music teachers throughout the tri state area. Jim continued to serve as an educational representative upon the merger of his family’s music store with West Music in 2014. Jim transitioned into his National Sales Consultant position in 2021. Jim enjoys helping educators to obtain the musical items and equipment they need to provide their students with the best musical experience possible.
Jessica Palmer – Director of National Sales
Children’s Literature & Puppets
Jessica is the Director of National Sales at West Music and one of the foundational members of the Music ConstructED team. She specializes in curricular resources, children’s literature, and puppets – her passion is helping teachers find new and creative ways to use children’s literature in the music classroom. Through Music ConstructED and West Music’s partnership, teachers gain access to the instruments, resources, professional development, and support they need. Jessica holds a degree in music from the University of Iowa and has years of teaching experience in both formal classrooms and informal learning spaces. She is an active musical director for local community theater companies that cater to all ages.
Larissa Perez – National Sales Consultant
Books and Curricular Resources
Larissa Perez was an elementary music teacher in Texas for over 20 years before becoming a National Sales Consultant with West Music in 2022. She received her BME from LSU and her MME from University of North Texas. Other certifications include Orff Level 1, Kodaly all levels, First Steps in Music, and Conversational Solfege. Outside of West Music, Larissa enjoys singing in a women’s acapella quartet and spending time with her family.
Kathleen Staten – Manager of Music ConstructED
Educational Resources and Professional Development
Before joining West Music as the Manager of Music ConstructED, Kathleen’s career encompassed 15 years of world-class performing as an oboist, six years in music education, including curriculum development and program building, and business leadership. Her favorite part of her job is supporting the music educators who work tirelessly to ensure the next generation of music makers. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is an avid triathlete, loves ice skating, and unfolding her kayak for explorations around Houston’s paddling trails. Kathleen holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University and a prestigious Performer’s Certificate and is currently pursuing her MBA through Southern Methodist University.