Music man Mark Kays directs the sweet sounds around campus

Mark Kaysmark kays

Trine University - Jannen School of Arts & Sciences
B.S. Ball State University; M.S. Indiana University
260.665.8096  |  email

From the beginning of my career, when I taught music in public schools in Indiana and Illinois for 21 years, and at Trine University since 2007, I have first and foremost viewed myself not as a band director, but as a music educator. Education begins with the heart of the educator. The successful educator is not only a source of information but also a mentor, role model, motivator, and one who is driven to enable his or her students to succeed. The greatest enjoyment I have is seeing my students gain a love of music and excel in my ensembles, in the classroom, and in life after graduation. As Department Chair and Director of Instrumental Music at Trine University I direct the Wind Ensemble, Sound of Thunder Marching Band, and the Chamber Orchestra as well as teach Music History, Recording Techniques and other classes as needed, and I enjoy every minute of it.

I live just outside of Angola across the street from Pokagon State Park with my wife Linda and daughter Kristen. Our son Stephen is a youth and worship minister at a local church. We share our home with our Scottish Terrier Aisling and two cats, Elijah and Lily. In my free time I build and race my vintage Harley Davidson GP 350 motorcycle, restore my 1960 Chevy truck, play guitar, banjo, Great Highland Pipes, jazz saxophones, sing on our church worship team, sail my sloop, and hike. When I'm not busy with one of these activities, I am rarely without a novel, and enjoy reading a wide variety of genres.

At Trine University I have received the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Music Teacher of the Year Award, McKetta Excellence in Teaching Award, Jannen Renaissance Scholar Award, Presidential Award for Staff Performance, and as a public school teacher I received the Walmart Teacher of the Year Award, ERFAE Teacher of the Year Award, Most Influential Educator of an Indiana Department of Education Academic All Star, and was recognized several times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.