Robert “Bob” Kleinschmidt is the executive director of the Casper College Kinser Jazz Festival, instructor of woodwinds and jazz studies at Casper College, and is an active performer, clinician, and adjudicator. “For the past six years, Casper College has provided me with opportunities that most likely would not have been available anywhere else,” he says. After graduating from Youngstown State University in 1990, with his B.M. in saxophone/clarinet performance with a jazz emphasis, Kleinschmidt only wanted to play music, which he did for almost eight years.

“Somewhere between working on cruise ships and serving in the Marines I decided to pursue graduate studies, and chose the University of Northern Colorado,” he notes. At UNC Kleinschmidt earned his M.M. in saxophone performance, again with a jazz studies emphasis. “Little did I know that my performance experiences on saxophone and clarinet, in addition to administrating the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival would specifically prepare me to work with the highly talented students at Casper College,” he says.

Kleinschmidt believes that the mission of the community college has always been to provide access to higher education, especially for those who are otherwise not well served by other institutions “Casper College goes far above the goal of providing access by enabling music students almost limitless performance opportunities. On any given day, I might find myself playing Beethoven with a clarinet quartet, Gershwin with a saxophone quartet, Duke Ellington with the jazz ensemble, and Coltrane with a combo/improvisation class. I feel grateful to work in such a supportive environment.

“I too am afforded almost limitless performance opportunities with Casper College ensembles, the Wyoming Symphony, and Casper College Theater productions. Casper College provides access to the arts for students, professionals, and the community througheducation, performance, and outreach to serve the needs of all of its constituents,” says Kleinschmidt.

Kleinschmidt has also served as director of instrumental music at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio, been assistant director of jazz studies at the University of Northern Colorado, performed as a member of the United States Marine Corps Band, and worked for Carnival Cruise Lines as a musician. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in community college leadership from Colorado State University.