Obituary for Jacquelyn Dillon-Krass
Jacquelyn Dillon-Krass, was born Jacquelyn Ann Hicks in Wichita the first born of three children. She graduated from Wichita East High School, obtaining a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degree from Wichita State University. She pursued Doctoral Studies at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. A dedicated trailblazer in String Music Education after graduating, she founded the Orchestra Program for Derby Public Schools. She also created String Programs for the Norman Public schools, and Oklahoma City schools’ system. She moved into Marketing and Publishing Music Education materials with C.G. Conn, in Elkhart, IN. Later, Jacquelyn worked for a New York company, Boosey and Hawkes where she served as Vice President of Marketing of Brass, Woodwinds, and Strings. She also served as International Division Manager for Sales of Stringed Instruments based in London.
While in New York, she met her husband to be, William J. Krass. After marrying they returned to Kansas, making their home in Mulvane. William preceded her in death in June of 2020. From 1991 to 1994 Jacquelyn was Adjunct Professor of String Methods at Friends University in Wichita. From 1994 to her retirement, she served as Director of String Studies, and Assistant Professor of String Pedagogy, at Wichita State University.
Jacquelyn served as President of the American String Teachers Association and was honored by with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the organization. She was inducted in the Kansas Educators Hall of Fame and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Wichita State. She published over 35 articles on String Music Education, wrote and/or co-wrote eight books. Her materials continue to be published and used throughout the world.
Surviving Jacquelyn are Carole J. Hicks Seitz of Fremont, Nebraska, sister and Robert M. Hicks of Maitland, Florida, brother. Nephews, Jeffery Bean of Haddonfield, New Jersey, and Graham R. Hicks, of Maitland, Florida. Nieces: Kimberly Santora of Fremont, Nebraska, and Ashley E. Mazza of Winter Park, Florida. Her legacy: Hundreds if not thousands of string music players, teachers, and aficionados, across the US and other countries.
Memorial Service to be held March 12th, at Smith Family Mortuaries (Derby) at 2:00 PM.
While in New York, she met her husband to be, William J. Krass. After marrying they returned to Kansas, making their home in Mulvane. William preceded her in death in June of 2020. From 1991 to 1994 Jacquelyn was Adjunct Professor of String Methods at Friends University in Wichita. From 1994 to her retirement, she served as Director of String Studies, and Assistant Professor of String Pedagogy, at Wichita State University.
Jacquelyn served as President of the American String Teachers Association and was honored by with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the organization. She was inducted in the Kansas Educators Hall of Fame and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Wichita State. She published over 35 articles on String Music Education, wrote and/or co-wrote eight books. Her materials continue to be published and used throughout the world.
Surviving Jacquelyn are Carole J. Hicks Seitz of Fremont, Nebraska, sister and Robert M. Hicks of Maitland, Florida, brother. Nephews, Jeffery Bean of Haddonfield, New Jersey, and Graham R. Hicks, of Maitland, Florida. Nieces: Kimberly Santora of Fremont, Nebraska, and Ashley E. Mazza of Winter Park, Florida. Her legacy: Hundreds if not thousands of string music players, teachers, and aficionados, across the US and other countries.
Memorial Service to be held March 12th, at Smith Family Mortuaries (Derby) at 2:00 PM.