Bio

 

Ken Jimenez is a multi-faceted music instructor, scholar, and performer based in Fargo, North Dakota. At present, he is Adjunct Instructor of Brass at Valley City State University in Valley City, ND, and Adjunct Teaching Specialist of Trumpet and Horn at the University of Minnesota Morris. At Valley City State University, Ken teaches Brass Methods for music education majors as well as all applied brass lessons, and at the University of Minnesota Morris, he teaches applied lessons on trumpet and horn. As an instructor, Ken focuses on  helping students determine their own aspirations and become inquisitive, self-motivated learners.

Ken is a dedicated performer of all styles of music and an active freelance musician. He has performed with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, South Dakota Symphony, Greater Grand Forks Symphony, and the Bemidji Symphony. He has also performed with Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome, a funk band based out of Fargo, ND, the Fargo-Moorhead Jass Festival Big Band, and currently performs as lead trumpet in the Fargo-Moorhead Kicks Jazz Band. he recently performed on Baroque trumpet with the NDSU Trumpet Ensemble at the 2015 International Trumpet Guild conference in Columbus, OH. Previous performing engagements include the NDSU Faculty Brass Quintet, which was featured in a 2015 television broadcast entitled Prairie Musicians by Prairie Public Media. Ken has also performed in masterclasses for Tine Thing Helseth, Ingrid Jensen, Thomas Bacon, and the late Edward Kleinhammer, among others. As a graduate student, Ken was a featured soloist with the University of Minnesota Duluth Wind Symphony for a performance of the Arutunian trumpet concerto, and as an undergraduate, Ken was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2010 National Trumpet Competition, and receiving a grant from the University of Wyoming which allowed him to compete.

Ken received a BM in Trumpet Performance from the University of Wyoming, a MM in Trumpet Performance from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and a DMA from North Dakota State University. At the University of Minnesota Duluth, Ken assisted in the jazz discipline, taught non-major applied trumpet lessons and instructed the trumpet ensemble and student brass quintet. At NDSU, Ken taught courses in music history, music appreciation, and music theory, assisted with the NDSU Gold Star Marching Band, and coached chamber brass groups, including a student brass quintet which competed successfully in MTNA at the state level.