Benjamin Kensok

851 8th Street

Brandon, MB, R7A 3Y3
(701) 866-9401
bkensok@outlook.com

SKILLS
 Performance skills in woodwind, brass, and percussion.
 Pianist in jazz combos and accompanying classical and musical theatre vocalists.
 Repeated demonstration of leadership and team member skills in numerous academic
and professional settings.
 Proficient in organizational, researching, and writing skills, as demonstrated throughout
undergraduate program.
 Advanced skills in digital literacy and modern communication technology (multiple
semesters online at Brandon University).
 Familiarity with computer applications including Excel, Word, Teams, OneDrive, and
Google Drive.
 Accessible colleague.
 Consistent work ethic demonstrated through cooking, customer service, delivery,
physical labour, and computer software testing.

EDUCATION
Brandon University Brandon, MB
B.Mus/B.Ed (After Degree) 5-year Instrumental Specialist Grad 2024
Applied Major in Jazz Saxophone, Second Teachable in History
 Brandon University Student Music Educator’s Association.
 School of Music Ambassadors.
 Foundations of Music Education.
 Jazz Pedagogy

Sheyenne High School West Fargo, ND

General High School Diploma Grad 2019
 Immersed in music and musical theatre programs.
 Member of state cross country team and distance running in track.
 Student vice-president of bands.
 Student conductor of both band and choir, conducted choir at graduation.
 Wrote a tune performed by the jazz band in grade 10.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teacher Candidate, Vincent Massey High School Brandon,
MB
Five-week Placement, Fall 2023
 Full-time teaching in Grade 9-10 Social Studies with Dean Oakden.
 Introduced foundations of farming and the Geography farming project.
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 Incorporated adaptation strategies to accommodate students with struggles in

organization and social interaction.

Instructor, Eckhardt-Gramatté Conservatory of Music Brandon, MB

August 2023
 Administered a saxophone camp.
 Designed detailed plans for instruction, taught beginner saxophone.
 Designed practice resources and prepared music for the performance.
 Assessed and reported on performance skills.

Instructor, International Music Camp Dunseith, ND

July
2023
 Planned for and instructed a large ensemble.
 Taught private saxophone lessons and a saxophone masterclass.
 Performed as member and featured soloist in the faculty big band.

Teacher Candidate, Vincent Massey Collegiate Winnipeg,

MB
Seven-week Placement, Spring 2023
 Cooperating teachers Matthew Abraham and Shannon Little.
 Worked with Senior Jazz, Junior Jazz, and Grade 10 Concert Band.
 Led ear tunes, listening assignments, improvising activities, composing projects.

Tutor, Brandon University Brandon, MB

Jan 2022 – Mar 2023 (part-
time)
 Provided academic help to first- and second-year university music students.
 Prepared resources and scaffolding strategies to assist students with challenges in
Music Theory and Aural Skills.
 Worked with students in-person and over zoom.

Private Lesson Instructor In-person and

Zoom
Jun 2021 – Present (part-
time)
 Designed long-term plans for students based on their entry level.
 Provided multimedia resources to improve fundamental skills and musical flexibility.
 Scheduled lessons with parents over email and managed billing.

Teacher Candidate, Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo, ND

Five-week Placement, Spring 2021
 Cooperating teacher Renee O’Connor.
 Worked with Grades 6-12 Band, observed K-5 General Music.
 Structured experiences with lesson planning, assessment strategies, and
communicating with an academic advisor.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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Conducting Symposium with Dr. Wendy Zander Brandon, MB

Brandon University Fall 2023
 Conducted BU Symphonic Band, written and oral feedback from Dr. Wendy Zander.
 Practice period to focus on technical challenges with additional lesson.
 Received feedback from band members about areas of improvement and clarity
before conducting at two concerts in Manitoba and Ontario.

Da Capo Conferences (4-time attendant) Brandon,

MB
Brandon University Student Music Educator Association Winter 2021-
2024
 Creativity and Mental Health
 Incorporating Tech in the Classroom
 Middle School Band Adjudication with Dr. Wendy Zander
 Teaching for Health and Happiness
 A Perspective on Diversity in Music Education
 Music Education that Centers the Sounds, Listening, and Musical Practices of our
Students’ Daily Lives

TEMPO Conference (3-time attendant) Brandon, MB

Manitoba Music Educators’ Association Fall 2020-
2023
 Exploring Opportunities for Student, Teacher, and Composer Collaboration
 Instrument Repair Techniques for the Band Director
 Jazz Rhythm Section 101
 Pro Tips to Build Confidence for Drummer and Percussionists in your Program.

MUSIC EXPERIENCE
Fifth-year jazz ensemble Tenor Saxophone
Nov 2023 – Present

IMC Faculty Big Band Bari

saxophone
July
2023

BU Symphonic Band Tenor saxophone, clarinet, conducting

Sep 2023 – Oct
2023

MCIE International Student Award Reception Saxophone and guitar duet

Nov 2019 – Nov 2022 (2
times)

Brandon University Big Band Tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute

Sep 2019 – Mar 2023
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Brandon University Chorale Tenor voice

Sep 2019 – Apr
2021

Ground Zero: Jazz Fusion Tenor

saxophone
Jun 2018 – Sep
2019

Duos/Trios/Quartets: Jazz & Contemporary Music Tenor Saxophone,

Piano
2017 – Present

Valley City State University Honour Band Tenor

saxophone
Oct 2017

University of North Dakota Honour Band Tenor saxophone, alto

saxophone
Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 (2 times)

North Dakota All-State Jazz Band Tenor saxophone

1
Mar 2016 – Mar 2019 (4 times)

North Dakota State University Honour Jazz Band Tenor saxophone

1
Oct 2015 – Oct 2018 (4 times)

ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Backstage Assistant, Brandon University Brandon, MB
July 2023 – Sep 2023 (part-time)
 Collaborated with performers to meet lighting and recording preferences.
 Moved piano and other equipment on and off stage.
 Adapted quickly to the spontaneous nature of professional performance.

Clubhouse Attendant, Mulligan’s Driving Range Brandon,

MB
May 2023 – Aug 2023 (full-time)
 Sold golf balls to clients, prepared food and beverages for large parties.
 Organized events for the beach volleyball league.
 Interior finishing in the clubhouse, worked the driving range grounds.

Software Tester, DonorDock West Fargo,

ND
Jun 2022 – Dec 2022 (part-
time)
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 Tested DonorDock for programming bugs.

 Wrote out tests for future development, suggested potential improvements to
developers.

Driver, Nothing Bundt Cakes West Fargo,

ND
Jun 2022 – Aug 2022 (part-
time)
 Drove the delivery van around the Fargo/Moorhead area, transported fragile
packages for individual orders and large events.
 Marketing outreach at local businesses.

Recruiter, Brandon University Brandon,

MB
May 2022
 Provided engaging educational experiences for students.
 Advocated for postsecondary studies at the School of Music.

Team Member, Jersey Mike’s Subs West Fargo, ND

Apr 2020 – Jul 2021 (full-time)
 Provided customer service and prepared product.
 Managed store cleaning and organization.

Summer Labour Worker, Cass County Highway Dpt. West Fargo,

ND
Jun 2019 – Aug 2019 (full-time)
 Shoveled gravel three hours per day.
 Maintained road signs in rural areas.
 Yard work at headquarters, minor construction duties.

Piano Accompanist, Holy Cross Catholic Church West Fargo,

ND
Apr 2014 – Aug 2019 (part-
time)
 Organized music schedule for weekly mass.
 Played piano and sang, led congregation.
 Played for gatherings, including weddings and funerals.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Group Guide, Brandon University Jazz Festival Brandon, MB
Mar 2023
 Led groups and clinicians to their performance spaces and clinic sessions.
 Set up the stage for performances.

Volunteer Clinician, Brandon University Brandon, MB

2021 – Present
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 Coordinated improvisation lesson and facilitated learning for Morris High School
students.
 Led online seminars for initiatives such as Music Makes Us (Westman Band Director
Initiative) and ME@BU sessions.

Service Learner, Sheyenne High School West Fargo, ND

Aug 2018 – Jan 2019
 Organized materials in the music library.
 Counted cash in the band account, logged in Excel.
 Coordinated clinics with area music professors.

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Brandon University Scholarships
 Don Wright Scholarship in Music Education
 Heidi and Scott Howarth Music Scholarship
 Verne and Marie Brown Jazz Scholarship
 Laura Grace Taylor Scholarship in Instrumental Music
 Helen C. Riesberry Scholarship in Music
 Heathbridge Capital Management LTD. Scholarship in Jazz Studies (2 times)
 BU International Undergraduate Student Scholarship (3 times)
 G.F. MacDowell Scholarship in History 54.153
 Lyall and Evelyn Robinson Scholarship in Music
 Carl and Lyle Sanders Scholarships in Music
 Mary Smart Scholarship

Other Scholarships
 West Fargo Education Association Scholarship (2022)
 North Dakota United Scholarship (2019)

Other Awards
 Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (2019)
 Apr 2019: Sheyenne HS Director’s Choice Award in Theatre (2019)
 North Dakota All State Jazz Band 4-year Award (2019)
 Outstanding Performance Awards in music competitions (6 times)

INTERESTS
 Writing and arranging music
 Running and hiking
 Travelling with an interest in ancient history and art
 Star Wars
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REFERENCES
Dr. Wendy Zander Professor Greg Gatien
Professor, School of Music Dean, School of Music
Brandon University Brandon University
zanderw@brandonu.ca gatieng@brandonu.ca
(204) 727-7368 (204) 724-5948

Shannon Little Matt Abraham

Music Educator Music Educator
Vincent Massey Collegiate Vincent Massey Collegiate
shlittle@pembinatrails.ca mabraham@pembinatrails.ca
(204) 333-2727 (204) 333-5540

Kelsey Zimmerman Eric Marshall

K-12 Music/Band Teacher Retired Music Educator
Morris School MB Music Educators Association
kzimmerman@rrvsd.ca emarshallsjsd@gmail.com
(204) 570-2169 (204) 793-9382