Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The instrumental music program at Cedar Falls High School consists of two concert bands, two jazz ensembles, and a marching band. Students who are interested in jazz band audition in the fall and are placed into two groups based on ability and experience. The top ensemble is the 19-member Jazz One, and the second group is Jazz, Too! Both groups meet as extracurricular ensembles and rehearse outside of the school day.
The students are honored to be invited to perform for The 76th Midwest Clinic in December 2022. This will be the band’s first appearance at The Midwest Clinic. Jazz One regularly performs at local jazz events throughout the year, as well as various jazz festivals in the state of Iowa. Previously, Jazz One has been selected as the sole performing high school jazz ensemble at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Clinic three different times (2021, 2018, and 2015). In 2022, Jazz One earned first place in Class 4A at the Iowa Jazz Championships, their first in school history.
In addition to performing a wide variety of literature throughout the year, Jazz One has enjoyed commissioning new works for jazz band from various composers and arrangers. Jazz One has collaborated with Chris Merz (twice), Bob Washut (twice), Steve Shanley, and Mike Conrad.
Over the years, the band has enjoyed performing with the following guest artists: Ryan Kisor, Paul McKee, Chris Merz, Dave Rezek, Anthony Williams, Tom Barry, Chris Buckholz, Nolan Schroeder, and others.
Cedar Falls High School Jazz One
Conductor's Bio
Kyle Engelhardt is currently in his 22nd year of teaching instrumental music; he has been teaching at Cedar Falls High School, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, since 2004, where he conducts Jazz One and the Symphonic Band, and co-directs the Tiger Marching Band and various other ensembles. Previous jazz bands under his direction were honored to perform at the Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA) Conference in 2021, 2018, and 2015. This will be Jazz One’s first appearance at The Midwest Clinic.
Engelhardt is a Past-President of the Jazz Educators of Iowa, as well as a Past-President for the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (NEIBA) District. Additionally, he has served two terms as the state IBA Jazz Affairs Chair, and was also the NEIBA District Jazz Chair. In 2021, Kyle was recognized as a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award. In 2019, he was invited to be the Cedar Falls High School teacher representative for the Governor’s Scholar program. In 2015, Kyle was honored to receive the NEIBA “Phillip Sehmann Excellence in Teaching Award – High School Level.”
In addition to his teaching duties, Kyle enjoys staying active as a mentor, adjudicator, and clinician. He is a frequent clinician across Iowa, and in 2021 was invited to be a guest clinician at the University of Nevada-Reno “Jazz in the Schools” Jazz Festival. In the summers when he’s not going to youth baseball tournaments, piano recitals, or swim meets with his kids, he enjoys working as a staff member for several summer jazz camps.
Engelhardt graduated with a BA in Music Education from Truman State University (1999) in Kirksville, Missouri, and also completed a Master of Arts in Music Education from Truman State University (2000). Previous teaching assignments include Centerville (IA) High School Band Director (3 years), and Willow Springs, Missouri, Grades 5-12 Band Director (2 years). Professional affiliations include Jazz Educators of Iowa, IBA, NEIBA, Jazz Education Network, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Kyle’s wife, Laura, is the band director at Holmes Jr. High in Cedar Falls, and they have two children: Kristen and Alex.
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