Kenyon Woods Middle School Orchestra
Staff
Mr. Robert Botwinski
Director of Orchestras, Kenyon Woods Middle School
Mr. Botwinski joined School District U-46 in August 2016. Before becoming the orchestra director at KWMS, he spent his first years in the district teaching 5th & 6th grade strings at the elementary feeder schools.
Mr. Botwinski graduated from Illinois State University in 2015 with a Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education (Band & Orchestra). During his collegiate studies, he taught a wide variety of wind, string, and percussion ensembles at multiple grade levels.
Outside of teaching, Mr. Botwinski continues to perform as a pianist and percussionist. He is currently a member of the DuPage Symphony Orchestra and has performed in many venues across the Chicagoland area.
Mr. Botwinski plans on pursuing his Master's Degree in Music Education and Orchestral Conducting beginning in the Summer of 2021.
Ms. Kathryn Balk
Elementary Instructor
Ms. Kathryn Balk is a teacher and double bass performer from South Elgin. As a child, she was a member of the Kenyon Woods and South Elgin High School orchestras as well as the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra. She is excited to come back to U-46 after graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in Music Education. As an undergraduate student, Ms. Balk was a lead teacher in the ISU String Project. In addition to applied bass lessons from Dr. William Koehler, Ms. Balk has studied violin and viola under Dr. Katherine Lewis. She currently teaches private lessons to violin, viola, cello, and bass students; many of whom are current members of the EYSO. Ms. Balk is very excited to begin her teaching career in the same program she attended as a child!