Education

• MA University of Northern Iowa
• BA University of Northern Iowa

About

Randy Atkinson is a well-known educator who teaches applied saxophone lessons at Mount Mercy University.

He earned his undergraduate and master’s degree in music education from the University of Northern Iowa. Additionally, Randy has been honored by the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association as a recipient of the Phil Sehmann Excellence in Teaching Award. At the state level, he received the Karl L. King Distinguished Service Award by the Iowa Bandmasters Association. In 2016, he retired after serving a distinguished 33-year teaching career as a high school and middle school band director and music educator.

Randy has toured with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music as a saxophone instructor. More notably, Randy is known to be a respected clinician, judge, and honor band director and has served as the NEIBA Middle School Honor Band Chairman for 21 years. Randy also was Chairman for six years for the IBA All-Iowa 8th Grade Middle School Honor Band.

Now, Randy manages an active private lesson studio and has educated many Iowa All-State musicians throughout his professional career. He remains active as a professional woodwind player in the Cedar Rapids area.

Randy and his wife, Kathy, continue to celebrate their 36+ years of marriage. Together they are proud of their two children: Chase, who is a history major, and Ashley, who works as an instrumental music teacher in the Iowa City Community School District.