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Directors and Staff

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Patrick McCarty, Director of Bands

Mr. McCarty joined BVN as Associate Director in the fall of 2022 and was appointed BVN Director of Bands beginning in 2024. Prior to arriving to Blue Valley North, Mr. McCarty served as the Director of Bands at Olathe North High School.  While at Olathe North, Mr. McCarty conducted the Wind Ensemble and directed the award-winning Screamin’ Eagle Marching Band. He also co-directed the Concert Band, Basketball Pep Band, Percussion Ensembles, and assisted with the Symphonic Band and Jazz Bands. During his time, the ensembles received numerous high rating awards and honors and finalist placements, including the school’s first ever marching band appearance in a Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis in 2018, and a first-place finish at the Ozark Mountain Marching Festival (Reed’s Springs, MO) in 2021. Mr. McCarty was also involved with teaching AP Music Theory, assisting with musicals, and the full orchestra winds and percussion.

 

Prior to going to Olathe, Patrick served as Director of Bands at Bellevue East High School in Bellevue, NE from 2014-2017. During his time at Bellevue East, Mr. McCarty directed and oversaw a very active band program, which included the award-winning marching band, concert band, symphonic band, and wind ensemble. The band program also boasted a thriving jazz program, basketball pep band, colorguard and winterguard program, and many other performance and educational opportunities for students. Under Mr. McCarty’s leadership, the band program grew substantially in musical quality, received superior ratings, and the Wind Ensemble was selected to perform the capstone concert at the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association 2017 Convention.

Mr. McCarty has also served as the Director of Athletic Bands and Instrumental Studies at Avila University in Kansas City, MO, from 2011 to 2014. There he directed the athletic bands and musical pit orchestra, taught music appreciation, music education courses, and private studio lessons. Prior to Avila University, Patrick was the Assistant Director of Bands at Lawrence High School from 2005-2010, where he conducted the LHS Concert Band, assisted with other ensembles, guided the percussion program, instructed beginning band classes, and helped assist the award winning LHS Marching Lions in several very successful years. He was also the permanent percussion instructor at Lawrence High School from 2003-2014.

 

A native of Lawrence, KS and Emporia, KS, Mr. McCarty has been an active participant in all mediums of instrumental music, including concert band, marching band, pep band, jazz band, orchestra, and percussion. Patrick is a graduate of The University of Kansas, where he earned his Bachelors of Music Education and Masters of Music Education and was a very active member of the KU Band Department. He enjoyed his membership in the KU Marching Jayhawks, KU Wind Ensemble, and back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances with the KU Basketball Band in 2002 and 2003. Patrick was also a member of the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps in the summer of 1999.

 

Mr. McCarty has been a band and percussion clinician and adjudicator throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Illinois for several years. He has served as a staff member of Dojo Percussion Independent WGI Indoor Drumline from Omaha, NE since from 2013-2017. He has also become well-known throughout the Midwest for his marching band and pep band arrangements, which have been performed by various high school and college bands around the country, including the Arizona State Sun Devil Athletic Bands and University of Kansas Athletic Bands.

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Jason Reznicek, Assistant Director of Bands

Jason Reznicek is a music educator based out of Leawood, KS currently working as an active visual clinician, consultant, instructor, judge, and band director.  Most recently Reznicek completed a masters of music degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Arkansas.  Reznicek assisted with undergraduate conducting classes, taught concert bands, conducted the Hogwild Pepe band, assisted with the the Razorback Marching Band, wrote drill for the Razorback Marching Band, guest taught the undergraduate brass methods course, and coordinated/conducted chamber music and applied studio ensembles.  

 

Prior to his graduate studies, he spent four years teaching in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.  During that time, he was heavily involved in all aspects of the program.  He held specific roles such as recruitment coordinator, middle school coordinator, movement program coordinator for the marching band, and high school concert and jazz band director.  During his tenure at Sapulpa, the middle school program doubled in enrollment and retention.  The high school concert band consistently earned superior ratings at concert assessments, and after having not earned a finalist placement in the state marching contest in over a decade, the marching band achieved 6th place in 2021, runner up in both 2022 and 2023, and was a Bands of America (BOA) Regional Finalist in 2023.  Furthermore, the high school wind ensemble was invited to perform as an honor band at the 2024 Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State music festival.  

 

With over 15 years of experience in the marching arts, Reznicek has contributed to multiple Bands of America (BOA), Winter Guard International (WGI), and Drum Corps International (DCI) ensembles that have earned regional, state, and national success.  As a performer, he marched with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps enjoying multiple World Championship Finals appearances and earning both the Jim Ott Best Brass Performance Award, and the John Brazale Best Visual Performance Award. 

 

He feels fortunate to have been able to share his experience in the marching arts and grow as an educator through judging in all facets of the pageantry arts; including WGI affiliate winterguard shows, Winterguard and Percussion of Oklahoma (WGPO) Circuit shows, WGI affiliate indoor shows, regional marching band shows in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas Marching Arts Association (AMAA) Circuit shows, and the AMAA state championships.  

 

During his undergraduate studies, Reznicek was elected and served at the Vice President of the collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education, with prior service as the instrument representative.  He concluded his undergraduate studies by student interning with the Broken Arrow Band Program (Broken Arrow, OK).  

 

His experiences as a performing member include- the Wind Ensemble of the University of Arkansas, the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Arkansas, the Arkansas Music Works Brass Band (past US Open Class Champions), the Ozark Mountain British Brass Band, the South City Winds, as well as with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps in 2014 and 2016.   

 

In his free time, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and two border collies camping, canoeing, and gardening.

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Charlie Betzelberger, Percussion Director

Charlie Betzelberger joined the Blue Valley North Band Staff as the Percussion Director for the 2021-2022 school year. “Mr. B” combines remarkable and empowering teaching with world class percussion knowledge and performance.  At BVN, he teaches, leads and coordinates all aspects of the percussion program, and assists with Middle School Percussion at both LMS and OTMS.  He is an Overland Park native and alumni of Blue Valley North High School.  After high school, he earned a Bachelor’s of Music in Percussion Performance from the the Berklee College of Music in Boston.  At Berklee, he was an active performer, performing with the Berklee Percussion Ensemble, Berklee Marching Percussion Ensemble, the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, and many other ensembles. He has studied with many distinguished musicians and professors including Nancy Zeltsman, Richard Flannagan and Ed Saindon.  While in Boston, Charlie founded his own percussion quartet that focused on contemporary percussion music while incorporating the influences of modern pop, rock, and jazz music.  Since returning to Kansas City in 2019, Charlie has played percussion in many local musicals and performed with groups such as the FMO Big Band and Crossroads Wind Symphony. He is an in demand percussion clinician for schools and groups around the Kansas City metro area.

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Luke Martin, Percussion Instructor

BIO COMING SOON!

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Peyton Heimburger, Percussion Instructor

Peyton Heimburger joined the Blue Valley North Band staff in the Spring 2024 as an assistant percussion instructor.  Ms. Heimburger is currently a student at University of Missouri - Kansas City, where she is pursuing her Bachelor of Music Education with an expected Graduation in May 2026. 

Ms. Heimburger's music career began well before she discovered her love for percussion, when she studied piano for 7 years.  She then found that she enjoyed percussion and has been a percussionist for over 10 years.  Prior to college, she studied with Shane Williams and Chris Treloar, and currently studies with Sandbox Percussion and David Yoon at UMKC. 

 

In high school, Ms. Heimburger participated in the marching percussion section and performed solos that received Gold Ratings at the Missouri State Solo and Ensemble Festival from 2018-2022.  From 2016-2022, she was selected as the principal percussionist in the Saint Charles County Youth Orchestra and won a concerto competition and performed the Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra with the Orchestra in 2019. 

 

At UMKC, Ms. Heimburger performs regularly with the Conservatory Wind Ensemble, Conservatory Wind Symphony, and Conservatory Orchestra.  She also participates in percussion chamber ensembles that premiere new works every year.  Outside of music, she loves to spend time with her dog, read, and cook.

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Amanda Sipes, Colorguard Director

Originally from Wichita, KS, Ms. Sipes has been participating in Color Guard teams for a little over 10 years including her time on the Maize High Color Guard and the K-State Color Guard team. While on the K-State Color Guard, she served as a section leader for two years and performed at the Pinstripe Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. She began coaching the Blue Valley North Color Guard Team during the 2015-2016 school year and has loved every minute! Ms. Sipes holds a Bachelor in Music Education and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kansas State University, and recently earned her  Masters Degree in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas. In the Fall of 2017, she completed a Music Therapy internship at the Children’s Mercy Hospital, and is currently a practicing Music Therapist in the Greater Kansas City Area. She is always looking forward to the Marching Mustangs season!

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Sarah Babkin, Colorguard Instructor

Sarah Babkin has been a Color Guard Instructor at Blue Valley North since 2022.  Originally from Georgia, she has been involved in Color Guard since 2011.  She started color guard when she was in middle school and had a passion for getting young students find fun, connection, and confidence with color guard as well.  As a part of the Rockdale Future HeRoS, a district-wide middle school competitive color guard team in Conyers, GA, she learned the impact of district-wide collaboration and found a love for performing flag, rifle and dance.  In high school, she marched in award winning programs at Rockdale County High School and North Oconee High School.  During college, she took a break from marching to enjoy the student section at the University of Georgia and began coaching high school guard instead.  However, after some time, she found herself missing performing and joined an all-age drum corps Atlanta CV for the 2021 season.  She loved choreographing and coaching at Mary Persons High School and Apalachee High School so much, that upon moving to Kansas, getting connected with a band program was one of the first things she did.  She is grateful to have joined the Blue Valley North Marching Mustang Band Staff and be a part of the Mustang family.


Mrs. Babkin holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia and taught elementary school for five years before making the switch to teach middle school.  She currently teaches at Oxford Middle School in the Blue Valley School District.  Outside of school and color guard, Mrs. Babkin enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs. 

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Kim Balsinger, Leawood Middle School

Kim Balsinger join the Leawood Middle School band staff in the Fall of 2024. Prior to this role, she was a middle school band director in the Shawnee Mission School District for 18 years. In that time, Mrs. Balsinger established a culture that allowed students to feel welcome and supported. Her students identify the band room as a safe place to learn, take risks, make mistakes, and grow, because she focuses on building relationships with students and creating an environment of belonging. 

During her career, Mrs. Balsinger has been honored to receive a building nomination for Kansas Teacher of the Year in 2018-2019, a nomination for KMEA East Central District middle level band director of the year in 2019, and the Shawnee Mission School District All Star Award for the 2020-2021 school year. 

 

Mrs. Balsinger earned both her Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of Kansas. Her thesis was based on research involving students’ study of instrumental music and the relationship to standardized test scores. While in college, she marched with the Division 1 DCI group called Southward, which was based in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Mrs. Balsinger has adjudicated solo and ensemble festivals as well as honor group auditions throughout the Kansas City area. She also teaches a private clarinet and saxophone studio. She lives with her husband, Dan, who is an audio engineer. Her professional affiliations include Kansas Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for Women, and Kansas Bandmasters Association.

Joel Wagoner, Overland Trail Middle School

Joel Wagoner has held the Director of Bands position at Overland Trail Middle School since 2022. As the director, he oversees all bands grade 6-8 as well as the OTMS Jazz Bands. In that time, the Falcon Band program has seen growth and increased energy.

 

Mr. Wagoner was born and raised in McPherson, KS where he participated band AND sports. He holds a bachelor and masters degree in Music Education from The University of Kansas. Mr. Wagoner taught band and choir in Kingman, KS for two years and then spent two years as the Director of Bands in McPherson, KS. Following his time in central Kansas, he was the Assistant Director of Bands at Blue Valley North where he directed the jazz program, the Symphonic Band, and assisted in all other aspects of the program. During his time in the Kansas City area, Mr. Wagoner has received the NEKMEA Young Director of the Year award as well as the OTMS Teacher of the Year award.

 

Mr. Wagoner’s wife is also a band director and teaches in the Park Hill school district. They enjoy spending time as a family with their two daughters and dog.

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Madison Hines-Schmoll, Adjunct Assistant Director

Madison Hines Schmoll joined the BVN Band Staff in the Fall of 2024. She assists with the Marching Mustangs and BVN Concert Ensembles, as well as brass classes at OTMS and LMS.  She is an alumna of Blue Valley North (2016), and claims roots in Overland Park after growing up across the Southeast.  After graduating high school, she attended Kansas State University where she majored in Music Education and minored in Spanish.  During her time at K-State, Mrs. Hines Schmoll was an active trumpet performer in all areas of instrumental music, including concert ensembles, marching band, jazz band, orchestra, and brass quintet.  She also served as an Assistant Drum Major (2018) and Head Drum Major (2019) for the K-State Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band.  At the end of her undergraduate career, she was selected as the 2019 Presser Scholar, which recognizes outstanding undergraduate music majors.

 

After graduating from K-State in 2020, Mrs. Hines Schmoll started her teaching career as an Assistant Director of Bands in the Andover School District in Andover, Kansas.  In 2022, she became the Head Director of Bands.  During her four year tenure in Andover, Mrs. Hines Schmoll taught 5th -12th Band at Andover High School, Andover Middle School, Cottonwood Elementary, Wheatland Elementary, and Robert Martin Elementary Schools.  She was honored as a 2022 Horizon Award Winner and 2-time Jester Award Winner for Outstanding Pit Orchestra Direction in 2023 and 2024. 

 

As an educator, Mrs. Hines Schmoll strongly believes in the power of community and connection found in band – she strives to offer every student the opportunity to discover their role as a musician and individual in the band world and beyond.  Mrs. Hines Schmoll has started her first year as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and is pursuing a Masters and PhD in Music Education at the University of Kansas.  Outside of school, she stays active as a trumpet performer and enjoys being outdoors, reading, and crafting.  She is married to her high school band sweetheart, Steven, who is a mechanical engineer for Textron Aviation.  They have two cats - Pepper and Percy - who provide many funny stories to enhance Mrs. Hines Schmoll’s teaching!

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