Hayden Hays, 2015, B.S. Biology Being a member of the CSU Marching Band, among many other groups, has had a profound impact on my life. Not only did marching band enhance my physicality and musicality, but it also trained me to be more diligent and to have more discipline in my life. Since graduating from CSU, I have continued my education and am a member of the Masters of Science in Biology program at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. I have managed to include music into my everyday life in a variety of ways, including participation in community bands and giving private lessons to beginner baritone players. I have also been working on a project to factor my musical talents into my thesis research project.
John Hermanson, 2006 B.M. Music, 2008 M.M. Music I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in 2006 and my Master's degree in 2008. Since then, I have taught in three different school districts. My first job was Director of Instrumental Music at Summit High School between Frisco and Breckenridge. I taught band, jazz band, orchestra, IB Music Theory, and guitar. I loved the students, parents, and administrative support at Summit High School, but I missed the Front Range. So, I accepted the job as Director or Instrumental Music at Conifer High School, which is in Jeffco. I taught marching band, concert band, jazz band, orchestra, AP Music Theory, and guitar at Conifer. However, my heart has always been in Fort Collins. I missed living here, and wanted to return. And, with every year that passed, I learned that my heart truly belonged to teaching orchestra. So, when the job at Fort Collins High School opened, I applied and was selected to be the next director of orchestras at FCHS. It's a big job. Steve McNeal was the orchestra director at FCHS for 36 years, so there are big shoes to fill. I have loved every moment at FCHS, and I plan to stay for the remainder of my career. I love being back in Fort Collins. In my free time, I enjoy cycling, hiking, and exploring all that Fort Collins has to offer!