About Interlake Music
The Interlake Music Parents Association (“IMPA”) has supported the award-winning Interlake High School music program since 1977.
IMPA Mission and Principles
IMPA is dedicated to supporting the faculty, families, and students of Interlake Music. Our goals are:
- To further enhance the ideals of Interlake High School – Integrity, Humanity and Scholarship – through music.
- To instill in high school youth an appreciation for music.
- To broaden the social and emotional growth of our youth through contact with others locally, nationally and internationally who also participate in music programs.
- To enhance the connection with our community through participation in community events and to provide quality music programs.
Questions? Contact us at impa@interlakemusic.org
Our Directors
Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble 1, Wind Ensemble, Bennett Elementary: Mr. David Kim
IB Music, Jazz Ensemble 2, Symphonic Band:
Paul Gillespie is a tenor saxophonist, composer, and music educator who performs improvised music throughout the Seattle area as a member of the Jazz Police and PGM Trio, and with others as a freelance musician. Paul studied music composition with his mentor William O. Smith and completed a large-scale symphonic piece Three Movements for Piano and Orchestra in 2017.
Paul is a National Board Certified Teacher and teaches instrumental music and International Baccalaureate Music in the Bellevue School District in Bellevue, WA. He received a B.A. in Saxophone Performance, Jazz Studies from Indiana University, Bloomington (1999) and a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Washington, Seattle (2008).
Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia Orchestra and Concert Orchestra:
Dr. Shira Katsman has been teaching professionally for nearly 30 years, both privately and in the public school system. Currently the Orchestra Director at Interlake High School and Ardmore Elementary School, Dr. Katsman has been teaching in the Bellevue School District since 2001. Prior to moving to Seattle, she was the Music Director at The Beekman Hill International School in New York City and taught violin and viola to graduate students at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. Katsman began her musical studies on the piano and violin at the ages of 5 and 7, respectively, and while in college she also began studies on the viola. Dr. Katsman received her Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, The University of the Arts and her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her teachers have included Dr. Chin Kim, William dePasquale, Jascha Brodsky, Arkady Fomin, Delmar Pettys, and her very first violin teacher, Carolyn Hammett.
Concert Choir, Jazz Choir:
Michael King received his Bachelors of Music in Education from Central Washington University and completed his post-graduate work at University of Washington. He has been teaching music in Washington State for 27 years – including 25 years with the Bellevue School District, where he has taught Band, Choir, and Elementary Music. He has also worked as music director on 23 musicals during his years with Bellevue, and served as music director at Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church.
IMPA 