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Matt Symes
Matt Symes
Director of Bands
Director of Bands
Mr. Symes is originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He attended college at the University of South Dakota and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education (Trumpet emphasis) in 2005. Mr. Symes received a Master of Arts Degree in Conducting from Sam Houston State University and the American Band College in 2013. Mr. Symes taught High School Band for 3 years in Lake Havasu City, Arizona where his bands received nothing less then Excellent ratings. In 2007, Mr. Symes with the help of parents and administration hosted Northern Arizona's first ever Drum Corp International (DCI) competition. Mr. Symes came to Las Vegas in 2008 to teach middle school band at Fremont Middle School. In 2009, Mr. Symes was awarded the Pathways to Technology Grant which gave the students at Fremont access to mobile technology in the modern band room. From 2010-2016, Mr. Symes taught Band at Jim Bridger Middle School in North Las Vegas where his band program grew to over 300 students, and his bands consistently received Excellent and Superior ratings at Festival. In 2011, with the support of the Smith Center and After School All-Stars, Mr. Symes was able to bring an "Artist in Residence: Percussion Instructor" to Bridger Middle School. In 2016 Mr. Symes was a finalist for the Heart of Education Award at the Smith Center. In 2016-2018, Mr. Symes taught a variety of band classes at Del Sol Academy for the Performing Arts. Today Mr. Symes teaches Band at KO Knudson Academy for the Creative Arts.
Mr. Symes and his wife Amy Symes, enjoy spending their free time with their daughters Lucy and Annie.
Jennifer Flegel
Jennifer Flegel
Band Aide and Woodwind Specialist
Band Aide and Woodwind Specialist
Ms. Flegel began her musical studies at the age of seven when she started playing the piano. She continued her musical instruction in middle school when she decided to join the band and play clarinet, oboe, and saxophone. After graduating from Keller High School in Keller, Texas, Ms. Flegel went to Texas Christian University to study music. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and another in Music Theory & Composition. She continued her education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, obtaining a Masters Degree in Oboe Performance.
Ms. Flegel has taught private lessons in piano and the woodwind instruments for over 18 years. She currently teaches at Family Music Centers in Henderson, NV. Prior to her assignment at K.O. Knudson, Ms. Flegel was a paraprofessional at the Las Vegas Academy. As an Instructional Aide at K.O., her duties include instrument repairs, piano accompaniment, band secretary, and instruction on flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone.
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