JORDYN HOLKA
Reverb Editor
How many music educators think for even one minute that a national award, maybe even a GRAMMY, is in their future? Probably not many. But for one, Kent Knappenberger, national recognition by way of a GRAMMY award is already a part of his accomplished past.
Knappenberger received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Fredonia in 1987. He then obtained his master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music and has now been a music educator at Westfield Academy and Central School in Westfield, N.Y. for the past 25 years.
In January of this year, Knappenberger was recognized for his dedication to his life vocation when he was awarded the first-ever GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Now he is returning to his alma mater on Saturday, Sept. 13 to present a workshop for Fredonia students and community members.
“What makes him so special is that the majority of all students in the Westfield schools learn music with him, and he creates opportunities to engage those students in any way that they and he can imagine,” said Karl Boelter, the director of the School of Music, about Knappenberger.
“He’s a powerful influence in that community, and it is imperative that we give our Fredonia students an opportunity to see, hear and learn from his leadership.”
Andrew Liu, a junior music education major with a concentration in voice, is looking forward to attending the workshop, saying, “I’m [anticipating] a very informative session.”
“It’s an opportunity to see someone who’s well-experienced in the musical field doing what he’s most passionate about,” Liu said. “I think Kent’s connection to Fredonia gives many music education candidates here a goal to strive for.”
Liu also noted that many of his professors have adopted and incorporated Knappenberger’s techniques, such as systematic vocal instruction, into their classes: proof that Knappenberger’s Fredonia legacy is lasting and widespread.
In addition to having his ideas taught in classes, Knappenberger is involved in Fredonia in another meaningful way, as well – his daughter, Lucy Knappenberger, began her Fredonia story as a freshman BFA acting major last month.
Lucy said her father has always been supportive of her and her goals, whether they are music-related or not, saying that he told her that he would even think it was awesome if she was a business major.
She described the experience of having a GRAMMY-winning dad as “surreal,” saying, “It’s crazy! It was hard, not to accept that he was a GRAMMY winner, but to spread him all over the place, all the time.”
“He is an amazing guy, but to me, first, he’s always my dad,” she said.
“I was blessed with them, and I am really honored that they chose me to be their daughter,” Lucy said of her parents. She is one of eight Knappenberger children, seven of whom were adopted.
Lucy spoke fondly of her father as her teacher throughout childhood; he taught her to play numerous instruments such as piano, harp, pump organ, guitar and the Irish penny whistle. Lucy was the first of her siblings to be adopted, so she said that as time went on, her parents had to spend more time working with the legalities of the adoptions, leaving less time to teach music to Lucy.
“They knew that I was fine, though. They knew I was grounded in them.”
Lucy said the two most important lessons she has learned from her father have been, “Don’t skate through life – be an icebreaker – and let your light shine.” It appears Knappenberger is an impactful and influential teacher even outside of the music classroom.
The free Sept. 13 hands-on workshop, titled “A Morning with Kent Knappenberger,” will feature Knappenberger and his Westfield students in demonstrations of teaching techniques he has developed throughout his career. According to the Fredonia campus calendar, Knappenberger will discuss training young voices, non-traditional instrumental groups and arranging music for school ensembles. A light breakfast will be served beginning at 8 a.m., and the workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to noon in Rosch Recital Hall.