Mackenzie Bufis

Bitter Jester Music Festival Judge

Mackenzie Bufis is a percussionist and music educator from the Chicagoland area. She earned her Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Illinois, where she performed in the percussion studio, Marching Illini drum line, numerous band ensembles, and the Balinese Gamelan Ensemble (Balinese gamelan are ensembles of primarily percussive instruments made of bronze and bamboo that may include drums, flutes, strings, and voice).

Mackenzie went on to teach elementary and middle school band and orchestra in Downers Grove, IL, District 58 from 2010-2015. These days, she performs as a freelance percussionist, adjudicates solo/ensemble festivals, and teaches privately.

Mackenzie is also the co-founder of The Elephant Alliance, an organization dedicated to the prevention of educator sexual misconduct.

The Elephant Alliance provides specialized professional development to educators, administrators, college students, and law enforcement on how to detect grooming and protect students from predatory teachers.

Since 2020, The Elephant Alliance has presented in eleven states and several international conferences, including the Crimes Against Children Conference in Dallas, TX (2021) and The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL (2022).

All of that is well and good, but Mackenzie’s main gig these days is earning grey hairs while raising her three children. It’s quite the gig.