Kendra Kempen, Executive Director

executivedirector@shreveportmetroballet.org

Kendra Kempen is a Wisconsin native who has embraced the Shreveport-Bossier City community along with her husband, Lt. Col. Ben Kempen (USAF), and two daughters, Aubrey and Sophie. Aubrey and Sophie’s love for dance first brought the Kempen family to SMB eight years ago, and since that time both Kendra and Ben have devoted countless volunteer hours to the organization. The Kempens were honored as SMB’s Family of the Year in 2020.

Kendra served as a backstage and sewing volunteer before filling the role of costume mistress for numerous SMB productions. She joined the Board of Directors in July 2020 and was elected Vice-President the following year. Kendra has also been active in volunteer work at Barksdale Air Force Base and was named 2014 Key Spouse of the Year for the 96th Bomb Squadron.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Kendra holds a degree in music education and has completed graduate-level work in education and human development. She oversaw the music education program for three K-12 schools in Minot, North Dakota and has also taught students in China via the QKids international online education platform.