Kimberly Strickland: Harmonizing Education and Jazz as Kim Scott

A Life in Two Worlds

By day, Kimberly Strickland is a dedicated Director of Student Services at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) in Birmingham. By night, she transforms into Kim Scott, an acclaimed classical flutist and a Billboard-charting jazz musician. Strickland, who is also the host of the nationally syndicated radio show "Kim Scott's Block Party Radio," embodies the perfect blend of educator and artist. Though her professional worlds may seem distinct, Strickland insists they are deeply interconnected.

"I am a teacher and an artist in both worlds," Strickland says. A 1993 graduate of ASFA, she knows firsthand the impact of a great education. "What I do in my professional life allows me to be great at ASFA," she adds, reflecting on how her dual roles enrich both her students and herself.

The Roots of Musical Passion

Growing up in Birmingham’s South Hampton neighborhood, Strickland was surrounded by music. Her mother, Belinda Floyd, was a music educator in the Birmingham City Schools system for over 30 years, while her father, a telecommunications professional, played the saxophone and sang. "Music was a part of my life from the beginning," Strickland recalls, crediting her parents for her early appreciation for a variety of music genres.

Strickland's musical journey began with the piano and violin, but it was the flute that captured her heart. "When I got my hands on a flute, I knew it was my true love," she says. Strickland's dedication to her craft was evident even as a fifth grader at Robert C. Arthur Elementary School in Birmingham, where she committed herself to mastering the flute.

Finding Her Place at ASFA

Middle school was a turning point for Strickland when she met Suzanne Winter, a band director and flutist at Lewis Martin Smith Middle School. Under Winter’s guidance, Strickland honed her flute skills, eventually making first chair in her band each year. "Band was my jam," Strickland says, describing herself as "the ultimate band nerd."

After initially opting to attend John Herbert Phillips High School for its renowned marching band, Strickland eventually found her way to ASFA. There, she found her true calling, immersed in a rigorous music program and learning from her mentor, Katherine Kitzman. "ASFA was where I found my people and my place," Strickland reflects.

A Star in the Making

After graduating from ASFA in 1993, Strickland attended The University of Alabama (UA), where she studied under renowned flutist Sheryl Cohen. Cohen recognized Strickland's potential and nurtured her gifts, preparing her for a future as both an educator and performer. "She set me up to be a great flutist and a great teacher," Strickland says.

Strickland's education continued with graduate studies at Oklahoma State University, but a call from ASFA brought her back home. In 2000, she joined the faculty as a flute teacher, a role she embraced wholeheartedly. "Teaching felt like coming home," she says, recalling the joy of working with students who shared her passion for music.

A Jazz Journey

Strickland’s foray into jazz was serendipitous. After noticing the absence of flute in jazz radio, she recorded a cover of Beyoncé’s "Déjà Vu" and shared it on YouTube. Encouraged by friends, she continued recording and soon found herself performing at jazz festivals. Her success led to a record deal with Innervision Records, and today, Kim Scott is a prominent name in the smooth jazz scene, with five albums and multiple number-one hits to her credit.

Balancing Acts and Future Goals

Balancing her roles as a performer, educator, wife, and mother hasn’t always been easy for Strickland. "I used to compartmentalize my life, but I realized I had to integrate everything to make it work," she says. Now, as she enters her 25th year in education, Strickland is focused on helping her students achieve even greater success than she has.

Whether they become professional musicians, doctors, or engineers, Strickland's students know they have her unwavering support. "Everything I learn, I bring back to my students," she says. And as her former student, Coreisa Lee, now performing on stage with Lizzo, can attest, Strickland’s influence extends far beyond the classroom.

A Role Model for All

Tim Mitchell, Ph.D., President of ASFA, describes Strickland as an "aspirational role model" for students, especially young aspiring Black musicians. Strickland herself is proud to break stereotypes and believes it's crucial for people of color to see themselves represented in the arts.

As she continues to inspire her students, perform around the world, and prepare for the release of her sixth album, Kimberly Strickland—aka Kim Scott—remains committed to her dual roles. "I could do this forever," she says with a smile, and it's clear that her passion for both teaching and performing shows no signs of slowing down.