Winter Director Cori Smith, Principal French Horn
Cori is the director of bands at Curtis Junior High School in the University Place School District where she directs three concert bands and one jazz band. She is currently serving as the interim director of bands for Pierce College and the Highline Symphonic Community Band. Cori holds a Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Montana, a Master of Music Education from the University of Idaho, and is a National Board Certified teacher. When she's not conducting, she performs actively in the region as a member of the Tacoma Concert Band, South Sound Symphonic Band, Brass Band Tacoma, and the Highline Symphonic Community Band. She is the current president for the Mountain Region of the Washington Music Educators Association, and loves to attend conducting symposia, play competitive tennis, and spend time outside in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Spring Director, Jordan Beckman
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Jordan has been a music educator since 2005. He received his Bachelor of Music
Education from Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana. From 2005-2014 he taught middle and high school at Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There he directed the middle school Wind Ensemble, jazz ensemble, high school marching band, jazz ensemble, pit orchestra, and various chamber ensembles. He became the Director of Bands in 2013. Jordan moved to Seattle, Washington in 2014 where he became the Director of Instrumental music at Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines, Washington, overseeing the wind band and orchestra program. While at Mount Rainier he conducted the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, chamber music, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, Percussion Class, Guitar Class, and International Baccalaureate music courses. In 2019 he received his Master’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in conducting through the American Band College at Central Washington University. He now has the privilege of being the full-time caregiver for his daughter, Julia. He enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer, daughter Julia, and dog Walter. His hobbies include all things culinary, especially the art of making pizza and baking sourdough bread. |
Fall Director Kasil Benner, Principal Low Brass
Kasil is the director of bands at Evergreen Middle School in Federal Way, Washington. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education with certificates in Leadership Studies and Research Experience from the University of Kansas. Prior to teaching at Evergreen, he taught at the elementary level both in general music and in band in addition to teaching private low brass lessons.
Kasil is an avid performer on euphonium and tuba, having performed with a number of large ensembles and chamber groups around the country. In 2017, he won the Northwest Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference solo competition on euphonium. He is currently a master’s candidate in the American Band College at Central Washington University. Kasil has performed with the Highline Community Symphonic Band since 2015.
Kasil is an avid performer on euphonium and tuba, having performed with a number of large ensembles and chamber groups around the country. In 2017, he won the Northwest Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference solo competition on euphonium. He is currently a master’s candidate in the American Band College at Central Washington University. Kasil has performed with the Highline Community Symphonic Band since 2015.
Past Director Daniel Kexel
Daniel Kexel took the reins as director of the Highline Community Symphonic Band at the beginning of the 2008–09 season. Daniel is a music teacher in the Franklin Pierce School District, and has previously taught middle and high school bands in Kent and Tacoma. Dan also was an instructor for the Tacoma Youth Symphony for 14 years, and was the co-director of the Auburn Summer Music Camp. Dan graduated from WWU in 1994 with a degree in Music Education and Performance and received his National Board Certification in teaching in 2007. In addition to being an HCSB band member for two years, he has previously performed with the Tacoma Concert Band, Tacoma Opera, Tacoma Symphony, Bellevue Philharmonic, and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Kexel took the reins as director of the Highline Community Symphonic Band at the beginning of the 2008–09 season. Daniel is a music teacher in the Franklin Pierce School District, and has previously taught middle and high school bands in Kent and Tacoma. Dan also was an instructor for the Tacoma Youth Symphony for 14 years, and was the co-director of the Auburn Summer Music Camp. Dan graduated from WWU in 1994 with a degree in Music Education and Performance and received his National Board Certification in teaching in 2007. In addition to being an HCSB band member for two years, he has previously performed with the Tacoma Concert Band, Tacoma Opera, Tacoma Symphony, Bellevue Philharmonic, and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra