Blue Springs South
High School
Blue Springs, MO
Jaguar Pride Staff
Mr. Ken Hansen, Director of Bands
Ken Hansen is the Director of Bands for Blue Springs South High School. Ken joined the staff at Blue Springs South in the fall of 2012 where the band program has continued to thrive in quality and student involvement under his leadership. He began his career in the Odessa R-7 School district as the head band director (1998-2009). Ken has also taught in the Union Public School District (Tulsa, OK) for 2 years and the Rockwood School District (Rockwood Summit High School) for 1 year.
Ken is responsible for the full band program at Blue Springs South. He directs the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jaguar Pride Marching Band, Pride Jazz Band and pep band. In addition to the ensembles Ken also helps oversee the solo/ensemble program.
The Wind Symphony and Concert Bands at Blue Springs South consistently earn high honors and praise from clinicians and adjudicators for their maturity of sound and musicianship. Under his direction the Wind Symphony earned the Grand Champion of the Dallas Windband Festival (the first band outside the state of Texas to win this honor). The Jaguar Pride Marching Band has continued its success of being one of the region’s best marching bands. Most recently the Jaguar Pride has been a Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Finalist in 2017 and a Regional Finalist in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Ken’s musical career began at Wentzville High School as a trombonist under the direction of his father, Bob Hansen. Ken earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Central Methodist University (1997) and his Master of Music Education from the University of Missouri (1998). While at Central Methodist Ken was a feature soloist with the Concert Band and Jazz Band his sophomore through senior year. Ken was also honored to perform with the All-Collegiate Band at MMEA in 1997 under the baton of Jerry Junkin. Ken always enjoys the opportunities to adjudicate and be a clinician for area band programs.
Ken lives in Blue Springs and enjoys spending time with his three sons; Jack, 16; Maxwell, 10 and Samuel 9. Ken is a member of Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Beta Mu, Missouri Bandmasters Association and NAfME.
You can reach Ken Hansen at khansen@bssd.net
Mr. Zach Johnson, Assistant Director of Bands
Zach Johnson is a graduate of Blue Springs High School and began teaching in the Blue Springs School District in 2013 at William Bryant Elementary. In 2017, Zach was named the Teacher of the Year at WBE in recognition of his achievements with the music program as well as his investment in extra-curricular groups including Classy Cats, Circus Skills, BBDC, WBE TV, Student Senate, and Running Club. In 2021, he began helping with the Jaguar Pride before joining the staff full time in 2022. He will be assisting with numerous ensembles at Blue Springs South, including marching, concert, jazz, and pep bands. He will also be teaching band classes at Delta Woods Middle School.
Zach received his Bachelor of Music Education at Missouri State University where he played in numerous musical ensembles, including Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Basketball Band, Symphony Orchestra, and many others. While there, he was honored to be chosen for the Missouri All-Collegiate Band. Zach then went on to pursue and received his Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance through the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2012. After beginning his teaching career, he earned his Education Specialist in Administration through the University of Central Missouri.
Zach is honored and energized to be a part of the Blue Springs South band family. He lives in the Blue Springs School District along with his wife Cheryl and his three daughters: Rosalee, Mirabelle, and Liliana.
You can reach Mr. Johnson at ZJohnson@bssd.net
Mr, Michael Walling, Assistant Director of Bands/Director of Percussion
Michael Walling is the Assistant Band Director and Director of Percussion at Blue Springs South High School. Michael Instructs all aspects of Percussion at Blue Springs South High School, Moreland Ridge Middle School, and Delta Woods Middle School including drumline, front ensemble, concert percussion, percussion ensembles, and all percussion classes. Prior to his appointment at Blue Springs South, Michael was the Drumline TA at University of Wisconsin-Madison where he composed all music and oversaw all activities for the Badger Band drumline. While there, he completed his Masters in Percussion Performance in 2022 under Dr. Anthony DiSanza. Prior to that, he completed his degree in Music Education from the University of Central Missouri under Dr. Alex Smith, where he was active in marching band education programs in Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, and Odessa.
The marching arts have always been a huge facet in Michael’s life, and that shows with his experience. With 3 years in World Class DCI Front Ensemble experience (Madison Scouts, Sacramento Mandarins) and 1 year of World Class WGI Battery experience (Gateway Indoor Percussion), Michael has always tried to expand his boundaries in as many avenues as possible for his future students. While also performing in the marching arts, Michael also has deep experience in chamber and solo concert percussion. He competed in Mid Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy in solo and chamber categories and medaled under the judging of She-E-Wu, and has also performed with the University of Wisconsin Graduate Percussion Quartet. Michael always enjoys being able to implement percussion education through as many mediums in the art form as possible.
Michael is straight up stoked to be a part of the Blue Springs South Band program! Michael lives in Kansas City and enjoys spending time with his partner Molly and their chubby cat Taco. Michael is a member of Phi Mu Alpha, NAfME, and Percussive Arts Society.
You can reach Mr. Michael Walling at MWalling@BSSD.NET
Mr. Kyle Tye, Director of Bands at Delta Woods Middle School
Kyle Tye is the Director of Bands at Delta Woods Middle School. Kyle assists at Blue Springs South High School during the marching season as well as working individually with the horn section.
Prior to coming to Blue Springs, Kyle served as the Director of Bands for 3 years at Glasgow High School in Glasgow, MO. During his tenure at Glasgow, Kyle ran all facets of the instrumental music program, including a competitive marching program, a concert band, and a pep band. Kyle’s groups consistently received superior ratings at contests and competitions. Also at Glasgow, Kyle served as the assistant baseball coach for 2 years, where he helped bring a district championship title to the school for the 2nd time in school history. Kyle also was a brass marching tech at Lee’s Summit High School from 2018-2020, where he assisted in horn sectionals and anything needed in regards to the daily routines of camp.
Kyle is an active horn studio instructor, with multiple students being selected for their all district ensemble, as well as being selected in the Missouri All State Band. Kyle is currently in transition from his studio in Mid-Missouri to the KC metro area. Kyle has also performed professionally in the Missouri Symphony Orchestra since 2017, and was a member of the Columbia Civic Orchestra from 2018-2019. He hopes to continue playing after moving back to the Kansas City area. Kyle grew up in Lee’s Summit, MO and graduated from Lee’s Summit High School. Kyle attended the University of Missouri where he earned a Bachelors of Music in Music Education, with a minor in French. Kyle earned his masters degree in Educational Leadership at Northwest Missouri State University in 2021. Kyle currently lives in Lee’s Summit, MO.
You can reach Mr. Tye at ktye@bssd.net
Elizabeth Keune, Director of Color Guard
Elizabeth Keune has been coaching Color Guard and Winter Guards for the past 18 years in the Kansas City, MO area. She is currently the director at Blue Springs South HS. She has worked with and/or choreographed for programs such as: Odessa, Fort Osage, Lee's Summit West, Summit Lakes Middle School, Smithton, Raymore-Peculiar, Maryville, Savannah, Centerview, Panache Independent, and Synchronicity Independent. She is on staff with the Central Iowa Color Guard Camp in Pella, IA as an intermediate flag instructor. In the summer of 2003 Elizabeth marched with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps based out of Dubuque, IA finishing out the season at DCI Championships in Orlando, FL. Elizabeth feels honored to get the opportunity to direct some amazing students and honored to work with highly skilled staff members at Blue Springs South HS.
Elizabeth Keune can be reached at jaguarprideguard@gmail.com