About Kennedy Payne

Kennedy is a clarinetist from Columbia Falls, MT. Her love of music began in elementary school, when she was selected to perform with an honor choir in 5th grade. In 6th grade, she decided to make the switch to band and began playing the clarinet, and has been playing ever since. Throughout her school years, she participated in different performance opportunities, including honor groups, district and state solo and ensemble festivals, and the Montana All State Band her senior year of high school. After high school, she attended the University of Montana, earning a BME in Music Education in 2022. Throughout college, she played clarinet in various groups, including the marching band, wind ensembles, and chamber groups. Kennedy discovered her love for the bass clarinet in her senior year of college, during which she was selected for the bass clarinet chair in the CBDNA Western/Northwestern Intercollegiate Band, and performed with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra for 2 concerts on bass clarinet. As an education student, Kennedy worked with music students ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade, working in general music classes, as well as bands and orchestras, for required observations. She also worked as a woodwind clinician in a 6th grade band class, helping beginning musicians in one on one and small groups settings. This is where Kennedy found her love for one-on-one instruction and helping students develop as individual musicians. Whether students decide to continue music after school or not, Kennedy’s goal is to help students find joy in music throughout the rest of their lives. 

Kennedy teaches at the Burien location on Wednesdays!