Dorri Partain
Managing Editor
From jingling bells to beating on drums, making rhythmic noise is the sound of music created during a new class offered for children on Saturdays mornings. Led by musician and educator Jena Vangjel, this free class at Independence Boulevard Christian Church (606 Gladstone Blvd.) is supported by funding through an Arts KC Inspiration Grant.
This 30-minute class gives children ages 1 to 12 the opportunity to interact with each other, their family and the instructor. Vangjel, an accomplished trumpeter, holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Missouri- Kansas City Conservatory and a Master of Music Degree from The Colbern School in Los Angeles, Calif. Now a mother of two, she has performed across the country, including orchestras in Louisiana, Alabama, Tucson and Los Angeles.
Planning for the children’s class began a year ago, said Vangjel. She met with Pastor Mindy (Figarino) to share her idea, which falls into IBCC’s Intersect KC community programming and outreach. While having a community partner was not a requirement, Vangjel applied for the grant last September and was approved in October, with plans for the class to begin in January 2026.
Vangjel supplies a variety of simple instruments that will appeal to children- and maybe a few parents.
“For each week, I will incorporate hand-held percussion, puppets in some way,” said Vangjel. “There will be a lot of singing and then a story-telling element.”
While each session has a planned theme, Vangjel said the sessions will mostly focus on what the children are interested in that day.
“If I see that a certain group (of kids) is really latching onto the gathering drum, then we’ll play with that some more,” she said. “Then the next week, I’ll make sure that’s a bigger part of the lesson. I’m flexible and willing to lean into something a little bit longer. If they’re into something, then let’s swim with that.”
This Arts KC Inspiration Grant is also providing funding for a Drum Circle program aimed at adults. During Micah Ministries — a weekly outreach program to provide meals and services to unhoused individuals —- Vangjel leads a session on the last Monday of the month.
From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., these Drum Circle sessions provide connection points so that anyone can participate and make something together. The first session began on January 28 and continues monthly through October 26.
For more information about Intersect KC programs and outreach, visit www.interesctkc.org
To learn more about Jena Vangjel, visit her personal page at www.jenavangjel.com