Rick Mitchell has been teaching since 1993 and has been at Kearney High School since 2000 as an Instrumental Music Instructor, Music Department Chair and Tri M Sponsor. He also taught at Schuyler Central High School, Elm Creek Schools, served as adjunct brass faculty at the University of Nebraska – Kearney, and established Kearney’s first Kindermusik studio.
Rick is a trumpet player that performs in both the classical and jazz styles and has performed with groups including the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Dobytown Brass Quintet, the Kearney Symphony Orchestra, and the Flatwater Jazz Orchestra. He is also active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout Nebraska and was selected for the 2019 “50 Directors that Make a Difference” award sponsored by School Band and Orchestra magazine, and the 2024 Outstanding Educator for Kearney Public Schools.
He is a member of NAfME, NMEA, NSBA and Phi Beta Mu. Rick has served on many state and local boards including Nebraska Music Education Association,, Kearney Concert Association,, Habitat for Humanity, Sonshine World Daycare, and the New Life Church Deacon Board. Rick holds a B.M.E from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an MA in Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Rick lives in Kearney with his wife and beagle Bella and has 3 adult children.