Harmony, Rhythm, Melody, Style - Make Music at KUA
Singing acapella, playing in classical, jazz, or rock ensembles, creating digital tracks, KUA students have many opportunities to express themselves musically. Students make music in formal and informal ensembles, record and create their own digital media, and study privately with professional instructors.
Unique to KUA, students do not have to choose between academics, athletics, and the arts; our ensembles meet after the academic day and are open to all. Whether a novice or experienced musician, several annual Music Department concerts provide students with opportunities to perform.
The Upper Valley also provides access to an array of musical events and concerts. Students can experience world-class performances at the nearby Hopkins Center at Dartmouth College, Northern Stage, and other concerts and music festivals in the area.
Demitri Papadopoulos was born in Greece and raised in Syracuse, NY where he attended Syracuse University. While earning his dual Bachelor's degree in Music Education, he performed with the Pride of the Orange Marching Band among many other ensembles at SU. In his spare time, Demitri took on many leadership roles in the Setnor School of music, including Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, NAfME Collegiate Chapter of Syracuse, and NYSBDA Collegiate Chapter. Demitri also volunteered time towards many community ensembles as a lesson teacher, on-field marching band tech, and conductor.
After graduating in 2016, Demitri moved to New Brunswick, NJ to begin his Master's Degree in Wind Conducting at Rutgers University. In a short two years, he worked as a graduate teaching assistant, instructing the Pride of New Jersey, The Marching Scarlet Knights. He also spent time working in community outreach programs in public schools as well as public performances with the various ensembles of Mason Gross School of the Arts.
After graduating from Rutgers University, Demitri continued his career in Atlantic City area teaching at Egg Harbor Township High School and performing with numerous community bands as a player and conductor. Demitri began his career at Kimball Union in 2019, where he serves as the instrumental music instructor as well as the music theory teacher.
Founded in 1813, Kimball Union Academy is one of the country's oldest private boarding high schools. KUA blends the best of the New England boarding tradition with an innovative, modern educational program for a diverse and global group of day and boarding students. Located in Meriden, New Hampshire, in the heart of the Upper Valley, Kimball Union is minutes from Dartmouth College and has direct access to Boston and New York.