Kent Keating has taught instrumental and vocal music for 43 years in both public school and collegiate settings. Mr. Keating strives to develop exciting performance ensembles that captivate the imagination of students and the community. He has participated in all areas of vocal and instrumental music and has experience in organizing, managing, and directing fine arts activities offered in most schools in Iowa.

The past nine [9] years he was a vocal music director, advanced theory, and instrumentation and arranging instructor at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kent directed and/or assisted with all of Mount Mercy’s choral ensembles and taught advanced music courses to prospective music teachers. During his tenure at Mount Mercy, he recruited and built a show choir that performed throughout Iowa and the surrounding states. His vocal students over the past five years have performed regularly with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra and yearly perform a Solo and Vignettes Concert with full orchestra consisting of members from the Orchestra Iowa, Dubuque Symphony, and SEISO as well as local professionals. During these concerts, he also performed with guest pianists and chamber orchestra J.S. Bach’s BWV 1062 and 1063 – Concerti for 3 Keyboards and BWV 1064 – Concerto for 4 Keyboards.

Additionally, this year he served as an assistant band director for Mt. Pleasant High School. Kent arranged the music for the fall’s competitive marching band show and directed their 2nd jazz ensemble to a very successful year, placing 1st in the Coe College Jazz Summit and 2nd in the Indian Hills Jazz Band Competition.

Previous to his current endeavors, Mr. Keating directed or assisted with all of Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s choral ensembles. During his five years at Jefferson, the top two choirs – The Westside Delegation Show Choir and the Meistersingers Chamber Choir yielded 13 Grand Championships out of 20 contests held in various parts of the country.

In 2015, he assisted with the Cedar Rapids Prairie High School Ambassadors Show Choir as director of the instrumental ensemble – this ensemble was crowned 1st place at the FAME National Show Choir Contest in Chicago, Illinois. As part of the music faculty at City High, he directed and assisted with many vocal ensembles as well as the award-winning 4th Ave Jazz Combo. During his tenure at Washington High School, his marching, jazz, and wind ensembles placed 1st – 3rd in nearly every contest entered.

Kent graduated cum laude from William Penn University with a double major in Voice and Piano. He currently has Master’s hours from the Universities of Drake, Iowa, St.  Thomas, and Mount Mercy. In addition to his teaching duties, he is a gifted arranger and composer – writing and arranging for high school and college marching bands, orchestras, and show choirs throughout the Midwest.

Kent’s ‘better half’ is Darice and they are parents to Chris, Meredith, and Blake…..and grandparents to Tyler, Sagan, Emi, and Wesley.