Jefferson R-VII Music Faculty
Ron Sikes, Director of Bands
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Sikes began teaching in the Jefferson R-VII School District (Festus, Missouri) in 2000. His responsibilities include 6th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Jazz Band, High School Jazz Band, Guitar Class, and High School Band. In 2011 & 2015, The Jefferson High School Concert Band was selected to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. In addition to his many teaching responsibilities, Sikes maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, composer, percussionist, drum set artist, frottoirist, and jazz vibraphonist.
As a composer, Sikes has written music for concert bands, jazz bands, and professional bands. His compositions have been performed all over the country. In 2009, Ron authored and self-published the beginning band method book, “Keys to Success." In 2020, he authored and self-published the scale curriculum, "Simply Scales."
As a performer, Ron performs with the Funky Butt Brass Band (drum set), Gumbohead (congas, timbales, frottoir), and Musica SLESA (bongo, guiro). He has performed all over the country and recorded over 20 CD’s with various artists from all genres.
Mr. Sikes earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1999 from University of MO-St. Louis. Ron has been influenced by some of the finest educators, including Mark Trautwein, Brad Madson, Dr. Claude Baker, Dr. William Richardson, Marvin Sparks, Jeff Hamilton, Sally Herman, and Dennis Reis. In 2008, Ron Sikes completed his Masters in Educational Administration from Missouri Baptist University.
Ron recently completed a two year term at MMEA Jazz Vice President. Prior to serving as MMEA Jazz Vice President, Ron has served as President, and High School Jazz Vice-president for East Central 7 district. Ron Sikes’ professional affiliations include the MBA, Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, MOJAE, MMEA, and MSTA, and remains active as performer, teacher, and clinician throughout the area.
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Sikes began teaching in the Jefferson R-VII School District (Festus, Missouri) in 2000. His responsibilities include 6th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Jazz Band, High School Jazz Band, Guitar Class, and High School Band. In 2011 & 2015, The Jefferson High School Concert Band was selected to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. In addition to his many teaching responsibilities, Sikes maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, composer, percussionist, drum set artist, frottoirist, and jazz vibraphonist.
As a composer, Sikes has written music for concert bands, jazz bands, and professional bands. His compositions have been performed all over the country. In 2009, Ron authored and self-published the beginning band method book, “Keys to Success." In 2020, he authored and self-published the scale curriculum, "Simply Scales."
As a performer, Ron performs with the Funky Butt Brass Band (drum set), Gumbohead (congas, timbales, frottoir), and Musica SLESA (bongo, guiro). He has performed all over the country and recorded over 20 CD’s with various artists from all genres.
Mr. Sikes earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1999 from University of MO-St. Louis. Ron has been influenced by some of the finest educators, including Mark Trautwein, Brad Madson, Dr. Claude Baker, Dr. William Richardson, Marvin Sparks, Jeff Hamilton, Sally Herman, and Dennis Reis. In 2008, Ron Sikes completed his Masters in Educational Administration from Missouri Baptist University.
Ron recently completed a two year term at MMEA Jazz Vice President. Prior to serving as MMEA Jazz Vice President, Ron has served as President, and High School Jazz Vice-president for East Central 7 district. Ron Sikes’ professional affiliations include the MBA, Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, MOJAE, MMEA, and MSTA, and remains active as performer, teacher, and clinician throughout the area.
Mrs. Catie Sikes, Director of Choirs/Assistant Band Director
Email: [email protected]
Mrs. Sikes began teaching in the Jefferson R-VII School District in 2014. Her responsibilities include high school choir, middle school choir, & 6th grade general music. She will also be assisting the 6th grade band, middle school band, and high school band. In 2000, she began teaching choir in the Crystal City school district. After two years of teaching, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom. Now that all of her children are in school, she is excited to be back in the classroom working with students and sharing her love of music.
She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from University of Missouri-St. Louis. Mrs. Sikes' professional affiliations include the NAfME, MCDA, MMEA, and MSTA.
Email: [email protected]
Mrs. Sikes began teaching in the Jefferson R-VII School District in 2014. Her responsibilities include high school choir, middle school choir, & 6th grade general music. She will also be assisting the 6th grade band, middle school band, and high school band. In 2000, she began teaching choir in the Crystal City school district. After two years of teaching, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom. Now that all of her children are in school, she is excited to be back in the classroom working with students and sharing her love of music.
She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from University of Missouri-St. Louis. Mrs. Sikes' professional affiliations include the NAfME, MCDA, MMEA, and MSTA.
Mrs. Betsy Krusemark, K-5 Elementary Music
Email: [email protected]
Mrs. Krusemark teaches music to students in Grades K-5 here at R-7. A graduate of the University of Missouri, she has a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and recently completed a Master of Music Education at UMSL. Mrs. Krusemark enjoys playing the flute in the Compton Heights Community band,camping and hiking, and being a mom.
Email: [email protected]
Mrs. Krusemark teaches music to students in Grades K-5 here at R-7. A graduate of the University of Missouri, she has a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and recently completed a Master of Music Education at UMSL. Mrs. Krusemark enjoys playing the flute in the Compton Heights Community band,camping and hiking, and being a mom.
"I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.” - Shinichi Suzuki
