About me
I've been working a long time to prepare myself for a successful future in music and education. I wanted to share some of the highlights from my journey below. Many of which are from my days attending the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.
"When I first attended college, I enrolled as a Computer Animation and Design major. There was nothing wrong with pursuing this field of study but I didn't feel connected to it. Nothing felt right and that my time being spent was worthless. I couldn't see myself in this job and in the position I was working towards. After conversations with family and my professors, I eventually switched my major to Music Education. It brought me back to a conversation I had with my music professors during my audition. Don Bailey, Director of Jazz Studies, pulled me aside and said "WHEN, you do become a music major, we will be here to help you every step of the way." That moment stuck with me everyday pursuing music to know that I am capable of doing this."
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Leadership
While attending UAFS, King found himself involved in a multitude of student organizations. Among those organizations, King held leadership positions to not only help the organization grow, but to push himself to learn more about working with others and gaining skills to boost his education. King served as the Director of Events for the Campus Activities Board for two years after a year as the Membership Assistant.
I've worked with many different kinds of people and teams. One of the organizations that helped me grow the most was the Campus Activities Board. This organization is through the Student Activities Office and run by students from all different backgrounds. The goal of this organization is to provide many events through a large variety to the UAFS community. We would host up to 40 different events each academic year and reach a few thousand people on campus and the community.
"One thing I learned through leadership is you will be working with a large variety of people and personalities. The greatest challenge was trying to meet everyone's needs individually and in group settings. I had many personal failures and several victories with each group of leaders, but overall, I can say we all grew from our experiences and came out stronger."
King also had a hand in Cub Camp, the UAFS Lion's First Tradition. Cub Camp is the freshmen orientation experience three days before classes begin. King served as a counselor for one year before taking on the Director's Staff for two years as the Assistant Director of Communication and Community Outreach. He's position required him to schedule trainings for staff and keeping in communication with them and outside organizations for their hand in Cub Camp.
Click here for other areas of involvement!
Music
King found himself involved with multiple musical groups before and after enrolling in college. Before coming to UAFS, King was selected to attend Arkansas Governor's School (AGS) in the summer of 2016. This 6 week program allowed for King to move onto Hendrix campus in Conway, AR to focus in on vocal music and understanding the world around him. AGS provided high school students with an education and understand of asking questions and always wanting to know more. The program allowed for personal and professional growth on his way into senior year of high school. A time well spent to push his career towards vocal music.
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"I just wanted to know more and I'm grateful for AGS for helping me grow to understand people better and value their ideals. It also strengthened who I was as person to grow and continue forward in my education."
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King attended the All-State Music Convention in Hot Springs, AR and came back after being selected as part of the Intercollegiate Choir for college students. These opportunities allowed him to branch beyond what was being taught in the classroom and apply it with other students across the state.
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Other musical opportunities included working in the first barbershop quartet at UAFS called "Blue Tones". This group worked outside of class to develop skills in areas not fully explored in other ensemble settings. The group worked on complex, four-part, a capella pieces to understand the style of barbershop harmonies.
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The Blue Tones guided a one day workshop for high schoolers to come on to campus and dive deeper into singing. The group worked alongside the young musicians as they worked on musical tags and other works for a short concert at the end of the day.
