Mrs. Van Kempen plays most stringed instruments, her favorites including violin, viola and guitar. She enjoys singing with her family and playing in her church orchestra. Other hobbies include freelance playing jobs, running, weight lifting, gardening, reading and cooking.
Myrnie lives with her husband, Ruben, a drama teacher at Roosevelt H.S. Their two children are also musicians. Andrew is a violinist and plays electric bass in various bands. Lauren is graduating from WWU with a double major in cello performance and opera. The arts are covered in the Van Kempen household as even ?Cookie? the cat listens to classic KING FM.
Mrs. Van Kempen received her BA from Western Washing University and her
Masters of Music from Central Washington University. She believes that the
skills taught and learned in orchestra can change the lives of children.
She is honored to be able to work with her orchestra kids and their parents
at all levels and derives tremendous pleasure observing her students grow
as musicians and fabulous human beings.