Jennifer Kennard, DMA
- MBC Flute Series Music Editor, Writer, and Arranger
- MBC Flute Repertoire Specialist
- Chair, Special Publications Committee, National Flute Association
Dr. Jennifer Kennard is a flutist, educator, writer, and editor. She received her B.M. in education and performance from the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam) and her MM and DMA from Michigan State University.
As a Repertoire Specialist for Music by Black Composers, Dr. Kennard researches works for flute by historical and contemporary Black flutists to be included in the Flute Repertoire Directories on the MBC website. So far, more than 350 pieces have been identified for the graded repertoire guide. As the chair of the National Flute Association’s Special Publications Committee, she has overseen the creation of Music by Black Composers Flute Volume 1.
Currently Contracted Faculty of Practice at Concordia University (St. Paul), Dr. Kennard has had a successful performing career as an orchestral, solo, and chamber musician throughout the United States and in Australia. She has taught in various capacities for over 30 years; her teaching experience includes flute lessons, flute choir, band, chorus, music theory, music history, and woodwind pedagogy with students of all ages and abilities—from tweens to octogenarians and from hobbyists to professional flutists. She has also served as the Assistant Principal Librarian of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
As parenting responsibilities increased, and after a series of injuries—coinciding with the COVID pandemic—curtailed her performing career and in-person teaching, Dr. Kennard expanded her professional activities and identity. She hosted a series of online Pedagogy Chats for the Upper Midwest Flute Association (UMFA) where topics included successful online middle school teaching, incorporating more BIPOC composers in your teaching and performing repertoire, and new beginnings: goal-setting in unusual times. She also hosted and performed on an online lecture recital for UMFA’s online Flute Fest, began writing grants for a local high school instrumental music program, and volunteered with many educational organizations, including school equity committees, band boosters, and youth orchestras. Perhaps most surprisingly, she became a business mentor and grant writer for a FIRST FRC robotics team, teaching STEM enthusiasts and engineers the art, importance, and effectiveness of clear written communication.
