Welcome to Heritage Middle School choirs! My name is Jennifer Benjamin and I am the Vocal Music Director at HMS. I have lived in Kansas City and have taught music to students of all ages for over 25 years. My most recent positions have been at The Pembroke Hill School and St. Teresa’s Academy in midtown KC. I am a native of Los Angeles, where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from Loyola Marymount University. Since moving to Kansas City, I have also earned a Master of Music degree in Music History and a Master of Arts degree in Choral Education from the UMKC Conservatory of Music. I live by UMKC with my husband, Keith Benjamin, Professor of Trumpet at the Conservatory, and our two sons, Duncan (seventh grade) and Rowan (first grade).

On this website, you will find links to the Choir Handbook.

Because we work as a team - staff, teachers and parents - to provide the best education for your child, and because choir classes have multiple facets that require parent support and participation, such as performance outfits and concerts outside of the school day, I am requesting that you spend some time with the Choir Handbook. Inside you will find a calendar of performances, including our first concert which will be on October 15th at 7:00 p.m. at Liberty North High School. Please add the performance dates to your busy calendars now, so that we can avoid conflicts. Performances are a large part of your child’s musical experience, and grade, so we’ll look forward to preparing those and having you come support your student.

Also included in the Choir Handbook is a course outline and information about student expectations and procedures, consequences, grading, make-up policy and concert attire. At the end of the Handbook, you will find a link to a Google Form. Please take the time to read all parts of the Handbook and then answer the questions on the Google Form. You can then provide a digital signature and submit the form, acknowledging your understanding of the expectations and your willingness to help us all be successful.

This year is going to be a great adventure! I look forward to assisting each and every singer as they "Discover their Voices" at HMS. If you have any questions, please never hesitate to contact me via phone (HMS 816-736-2471) or e-mail (jennifer.benjamin@lps53.org).

Sincerely,

Jennifer Benjamin