Kyle Champion

Teacher
Southern Methodist University – B.A.
University of Southern California – M.M.
kchampion@webb.org

Professional focus: I teach Instrumental Music and Sinfonia and Honors Sinfonia Strings in Webb’s Fine Arts Department.

Scholarly or professional activities: I perform with two professional regional orchestras – the Redlands Symphony – where I’m principal cellist, and the Long Beach Symphony – where I am a member of the cello section. In addition, I am on the faculty at the University of Redlands, where I am the artist teacher of cello (teaching cello majors, music education majors and non-majors the fine art of cello playing) and I am director of the String Project, a program where local string students in grades four through eight come for group lessons at their appropriate ability level. I am also a board member of the L.A. section of the California Chapter of the American String Teachers Association, where I served as president of the LA section 2013-14, as well as ran the regional Bowed Strings competition for over 20 years.

Grew up: Born in Pomona, grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Years as an educator: I have taught cello since 1979 and served as a faculty member at the University of Redlands since 1995. I have taught at Webb for 11 years.

Favorite spot at Webb: I love the walk down the hill from the chapel to the theater.

Favorite music or musician: I have very eclectic tastes in music. As a classical musician I particularly love Beethoven, Richard Strauss and Bach. But I’m also a child of the 60s and love classic rock. My favorite band is The Who!

Favorite book or author: I can’t say I have a favorite book. I love to read, and I read a variety of genres. I have an affinity for history of the Old West, railroads and the Civil War.

Favorite TV show or movie: Currently, I’m loving Bosch, a show about an L.A. homicide detective. I also love Young Sheldon and many of the HGTV/Magnolia Network home shows. My favorite movie is Kelly’s Heroes.

Saturday routine: Pancakes for breakfast, teaching two or three cello lessons, yard work in the afternoon and usually some concert or gig I perform for in the evening, depending on the week.