UMKC Conservatory

Congratulations to 3rd-Year MFA Candidate in Costume Design, Blade Mentjes, who has been nationally recognized as the Region 5 American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) award recipient in Costume Design! ACTF is a national theatre program involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities across the country. The conference aims to "recognize and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theatre programs." Well done, Blade!

UMKC Summer Master of Music Education Program
June 1-12: First two-week session
June 15-26: Second two-week session

Our summer Masters of Music Education degree is designed for passionate music teachers interested in furthering their education while continuing to work with their programs full-time. You will work with outstanding faculty and be challenged philosophically, intellectually, and musically as you grow.

For more information please visit https://programs.umkc.edu/graduate/conservatory/music-education
or contact: Dr. Charles Robinson at [email protected]

UMKC Choral Conducting Symposium
June 29–July 1, 2026

Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Sengin, this three-day symposium focuses on conducting masterclasses, interactive lectures, and workshops on expressive conducting technique, rehearsal strategies, score study, diverse repertoire, performance practice, and choral programming. Participants sing with and conduct the UMKC Summer Choral Chamber Ensemble in a collaborative, supportive environment.

Featured clinicians include Dr. Kristina MacMullen (Baylor University), Dr. Brandon Williams (Rutgers University), and composer-in-residence Taylor Scott Davis.

Visit our website for more information : https://conservatory.umkc.edu/conservatory-academy/conducting-symposiums.html

Save the Date for Crescendo 2026!

UMKC Friends of the Conservatory is excited to announce Crescendo 2026, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Friends of the Conservatory, Gala Chairman Stephanie D. O’Dear and Dean Courtney Crappell invite you to an evening of immersive performances, dining and revelry featuring our talented students and faculty.

Proceeds from Crescendo 2026 benefit UMKC’s comprehensive Blue & Bold Campaign and will support the expansion of the Conservatory’s home at the Olson Performing Arts Center. Information regarding sponsorship levels, benefits and pricing is now available online.

Secure your sponsorship. Visit https://www.umkc.edu/crescendo/

This week on the UMKC Conservatory Hour on and , UMKC Conservatory alum Seyoung Park takes us on a pianistic journey through Robert Schumann’s dualities and emotional confessions of forbidden love. Plus, Conservatory faculty members Joe Genualdi and Tom Rosenkranz perform very personal music by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The UMKC Conservatory Hour can be heard Fridays at 12pm and Saturdays at 9am on 91.9 Classical KC or streaming at classicalkc.org. Listen on-demand at the link in bio/comments.

Follow and for the latest news about Conservatory content.

UMKC Conservatory Theatre presents BIRTHDAY CANDLES by Noah Haidle

Join us at the UMKC Olson Performing Arts Center, Black Box Theatre:
Friday May 8th at 7:30pm
and Saturday May 9th at 2:30pm

Join Ernestine and her family for a show that blends humor and profound feeling.

Congratulations!

Don't miss this wonderful show! In addition to this wonderful cast, don't miss the work of
📸: Tyler Wirken
Set: Shaw Peng
Lights: B Maruco
Costumes: Daniella Toscano
Director: Brianne Taylor
SM: Oliver Conmy

The UMKC Conservatory Theatre presents BIRTHDAY CANDLES by Noah Haidle

Catch the remaining shows at the UMKC Olson Performing Arts Center, Black Box Theatre:
Thursday May 7th and Friday May 8th at 7:30pm
and Saturday may 9th at 2:30pm

Follow Ernestine Ashworth through her life as she uses the simple ingredients of a cake and finds meaning in family, tradition and culture.

📸: Tyler Wirken
Set: Shaw Peng
Lights: B Maruco
Costumes: Daniella Toscano
Director: Brianne Taylor
SM: Oliver Conmy