About Mrs. Bence

Kristin Bence has been involved in music her whole life. Kristin has studied flute with the late Carl D. Hall, former piccolo player for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the late Dr. Eldred Spell, former flute professor at Western Carolina University, and Dr. Kimberly Risinger, who serves as flute professor at Illinois State University, Principal Flute in the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Heartland Festival Orchestra. 

Kristin received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Western Carolina University, and her Masters of Music Education from Illinois State University in 2012.

She just recieved continuing education certification in Level 1 Orff and hopes to be fully certified in the next two years!  She is also the President of the South Carolina Foothills Orff Chapter. 

Through her undergraduate studies at Western Carolina University from 2006-2010, Kristin was the Pride of The Mountains Marching Band Drum Major from 2008-2010. During her time as drum major, the band traveled to Indianapolis in 2008 and she led the band through performances for prelims and finals at Bands of America. In 2009,  the band was awarded the Sudler Trophy; one of the most prestigious award for college marching bands. She also served as a counselor for the Western Carolina University Drum Major camp with Bobby Lambert in 2008 and 2009.

During Kristin’s studies at Illinois State University she was the Co-instructor of the first Illinois State University Drum Major Camp with Bobby Lambert in 2011. In addition, she served as the head counselor for the junior high school band camp from 2011-2013. In addition, she was a performer in the Symphonic Winds, principal of Symphonic Winds, a performer in Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Winds, and Wind Symphony, the university's most prestigious ensemble. At graduation, Kristin was one of the students recognized for outstanding achievement.

In 2012-2014 Kristin substitute taught in Illinois Unit 5 and Bloomington school districts, taught Jazz Band at Evans Junior High School, was Flute Choir director for Normal Community High School. From 2014-2017 she was the Elementary Music Teacher for Lincoln School District #27, and Choir Director at Lincoln Junior High School, She was Visual Instructor for the Normal Community High School Marching Band, and provided flute lessons around the area.

Mrs. Bence now lives in Duncan, SC and is the elementary music teacher and Voce Alligatore chorus director for Rudolph G. Gordon school. She also served as Area Director for Spring Sing 2019,  2022 and again in 2023. Her husband Kris Bence is the new band director for River Side High School; they have two sons; Jeffrey and Ashton and cat Frederick. Her mom lives at Lake Keowee, and her younger brother Ryan is a Meteorologist at Fox 5 News Atlanta.