Kim Shawl
Music Director
Kim Shawl
was born in McKeesport with music in her blood. She is the granddaughter of the
famous Fred Gobbel, local band leader, saxophonist, and drummer. Kim’s mother,
Barb Gobbel Shawl carried on her father’s musical legacy in church where she
played the piano and sang in the choir her entire life.
In Kim, the family
tradition lives on. Kim has been playing the piano since the age of seven. In
high school she extended her instrumental talent to the flute and oboe
participating in the marching and jazz bands as well as the orchestra.
Likewise, she developed her vocal abilities as an alto soloist in the highly
acclaimed McKeesport High School acapella choir. Over the years, the scope of
Kim’s musical career continued to expand as newly engaged couples from
Pennsylvania to Florida hoped she would bless their union with song.
However,
Kim’s true love comes from singing God’s praises. Kim’s lifetime membership at
Kephart United Methodist Church has been filled with all venues of music,
signing in a children’s trio with her brothers, solos as a choir member as well
as playing keyboard on the worship team she led. In addition, for the last 20
years, she has ushered the congregation at Kephart into the Throne Room of God
as the Music Director and pianist.
As with
anyone truly passionate and dedicated to something, Kim’s love for music does
not end with singing and playing the piano. Her desire to share her heritage
with future generations was made manifest after the untimely passing of her
mother. The establishment of Barbara G. Shawl Share the Music Scholarship has been providing young people the opportunity to discover their individual musical
talent for over 15 years.
Currently,
Kim is also the worship leader at Calvary-First and Beulah Park Campuses in
McKeesport, PA.
