Middle School Orchestra Teacher
Chief Joseph Middle School, Bozeman, MT

“If you watch your favorite movie without its soundtrack, you quickly realize how empty and unfulfilling life would be without music. Music in our schools carries the same import: music education brings an energy to the school day that supports kids emotionally, socially and academically. I love that I get to teach right to the heart of a student; they know they are cared for, that they are important and that they belong.”

Middle School Band
Dickinson Middle School, Dickinson, ND

Conway Heupel started teaching at Dickinson Middle School in 2022, after 12 years of teaching in New England, ND. He brings with him a background in brass, great sense of humor, and the iron will it takes to teach middle school band. Through his teaching, he sees his students rise to expectations, improve their efficiency, and enjoy playing their instruments. 

Music Teacher
Saco Public Schools, MT

“The Saco music program is not just my job, it is my passion! The goal of my program is to make more compassionate, complete individuals, and the vehicle I use is music.”

Band
Rice Lake Middle School, WI

“When I think about our band program, I think of the connections that are made. Lifelong friendships are made as students work together in our band program. It's inspiring to see our students push each other to become better musicians every day.” - Jake Arnold

“At Rice Lake Middle School, we put an emphasis on creativity and passion. Music is a form of expression, and today's students need that outlet more than ever. Music allows students to work hard to attain a goal while getting and having support from their good friends.” - Adam Bever

Photo: Jake Arnold and Adam Bever with Eckroth Music Eau Claire Manager and School Representative Benjamin Fraley

Wahpeton Public Schools, ND

““Tammy is an outstanding teacher and role model. She is very involved in mentoring her band students and other non-music students through her Leadership class.” - EMC School Service Rep Stener Anderson

Tammy has taught band and choir, as well as performed with a variety of musical groups from orchestras to the Moody Blues. In recent social media posts, she demonstrates the value of versatility by giving examples of her musical experiences outside of band, and reminding everyone that each person is more than their title!

Manhattan Public School District, MT

Todd Rosenberger provides a variety of musical experiences to his students in the Manhattan Public Schools in Montana:

“I have been teaching for over forty years from elementary to the collegiate level. This is my current A-Team, The Manhattan Concert Band. I currently conduct seven bands, teach beginning through advanced guitar, and head a music technology program. Eckroth Music goes above and beyond to take care of all of us with supplies, service, repairs, and instruments. We couldn’t be “us” without all the support Eckroth Music provides!”

Band/Jazz
Delano Intermediate and High Schools, MN

I teach the 5th and 6th grade bands at Delano Intermediate School. I also teach three jazz bands at Delano High School. Jazz 3 is grades 6-8, Jazz 2 is 9-12 and Jazz 1 is 10-12. I truly enjoy working with students at all grade levels. The aspect of my job I get the most satisfaction from is seeing the pride students have when they achieve their goals. It could be as small as learning a difficult section in their music or as big as a concert performance. The joy for me in teaching music is knowing the students are excited and proud to be a part of the band and that they are having fun! For the past year, I have also been directing the Delano Community Band, and it has been wonderful to have former students join the band and continue playing their instrument. My current students enjoy coming to the community band concerts, and it is great for them to see that music is truly a lifelong endeavor.

Band
Malta Public Schools, MT

“My goal is to create an environment where quality is expected, yet where students feel safe and nurtured to express their individuality and take risks. It is important to me that my students are validated as unique human beings; therefore, I present quality music literature so students can "feel" and not just play the music."

Orchestra and Band
Great Falls High School, MT

Elizabeth Quinby teaches four orchestras classes and assists one band class at Great Falls High School. She is in her 16th year of making music with students. Her main goal, as a music teacher, is to build lasting relationships with her students by creating memorable musical experiences both in the classroom and on the stage. She says, "I believe that music gives kids a safe place to belong. A place where they can feel like they are creating friendships, a sense of belonging, and a life-long musical appreciation for music!"

Music Teacher
Memorial Middle School, ND

“He is an inspiration to his students and drives them to be better, not just because he says to do better, because he shows them how to be better!” -Heather Feland, Eckroth Music Minot

Music Teacher
Mora Elementary School, MN

Picture: Young musicians learning to work as a team to create art together.

Band
Billings Senior High School, MT

"Music is the only curricular course that teaches coordination, emotional connection, expression, troubleshooting, teamwork, independence, discipline, and perseverance simultaneously. The cost to a school to fill the hole of music culturally and academically would be unimaginable compared to just having a thriving music program. Truly, the soul and academic success of a school rests upon its musicians. We think, feel, and collaborate differently than those around us."

Music Teacher
West Valley Middle School, MT

“West Valley Middle School is a great school to be at with students, parents, and staff all supporting the music program with enthusiasm. The 5th graders learn recorders, and 6-8 have the option to be in a variety of music classes including band, choir, general music, technology in music and more. Band is a popular class at West Valley - 57 out of 91 6th graders chose to join band this year! The students love the excitement for band and choir. The students are fantastic at West Valley - they always seem to be engaged and love the excitement of performing!”

Music Teachers
Underwood Public Schools, MN

Music educators love what they do and receive immense satisfaction from seeing their students grow musically and academically. This is true of both music educators in Underwood, MN, Dana Flint and TJ Pelanek. Both are valued and respected members of the Underwood community and collaborate together to inspire their students to be creative, disciplined and cooperate with others. Music education is important for all of these reasons and because it simply makes life more enjoyable. Mr. Pelanek stated that developing positive relationships with students, creating a sense of trust, is the most important aspect of being a teacher. By creating trust, students feel safe and are comfortable in their environment, allowing them to learn better, take risks and be creative. Last week, along with their students, they rocked a pep fest on Tuesday, received a superior at Large Group on Wednesday and headed to the cities to support their team at the State Tournament. Go UNDERWOOD ROCKETS!

Photo with Eckroth Regional Manager and Service Rep Sherry Linnerooth

Band
Century High School, ND

Chris Dasovick, band director from Century HS was nominated by 26 of his students as an Outstanding Educator for the Bismarck Public Schools. His students spoke of his hard work and dedication to the bands at Century High School. Chris loves being a Band Director!

Band
Elk Mound Area Schools, WI

“Teaching band allows me to share my lifelong passion for music with my students. However, teaching band is so much more than just music. It is about communication, team work, dedication, making connections, and giving students the opportunity to create lifelong friendships and memories.”

Photo: Elk Mound (Wisc) band director Gerry Murphy and his high school band director and Eckroth road rep Steve Wells

Music Teacher
East Middle School, MT

"To me, the gift music educators give our students goes far beyond the ability to translate the notes on a page into sound. We're truly lucky to be able to shape young people to be lifelong musicians and music-supporters, appreciators, and lovers. I especially relish the relationships that are built in my classroom, both between band members and those I've been able to create with my students. While they're in middle school, we're a team - and I'm happily one of their biggest cheerleaders as I watch them move into high school and life beyond."

Band
Dickinson High School, ND

Mathew Goettle has been teaching band for 21 years, the last 4 in Dickinson. He has a wife named Jennifer and 7 kids. In his off time Mr. Goettle enjoys hunting and playing golf. When asked what his biggest challenge is he responded with “Balancing roles at home to school to the community.”

Music Teacher
Froid Public Schools, MT

“I teach in Froid, in the rural northeastern part of the state of Montana. Our high school has approximately 40 students and we are a largely agricultural area. My goal as a teacher is to help instill the importance of discipline and artistic expression in the performing arts. This helps to create a sense of pride through our music program which helps permeate across all programs in our school. Music helps lead the way!”