Colby Community College vocal instructor Randy Berls has been selected as the Northwest Kansas Music Educator’s Association (KMEA) 2015 College Music Educator of the Year.  He will receive his award on Nov. 7 at Hays High School during the High School Honor Concert, which features junior high and high school students from Northwest Kansas. 

A native of Oberlin, Berls is in his twenty-first year of teaching music. He graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from Colby Community College before earning a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music from Emporia State University. He taught at USD 325 Phillipsburg and USD 252 Goodland before arriving at Colby Community College. Now in his fourth year as Choral Music/Musical Theatre Director at CCC, he conducts two choirs, teaches music theory, several music and theater humanities classes, and has a private voice studio.

In addition to being recognized for teaching excellence in higher education, Berls received the 2007 Northwest KMEA High School Teacher of the Year award, the 2002 National Federation of Music Clubs merit award, and has been a multiple Who’s Who among America’s Teachers winner. 

Berls and his wife Peggy have four children. His family is involved in 4-H and volunteer for many community and church activities.  He is also an active clinician, presenter, and adjudicator throughout Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska.