Ms. Katelyn Dunn is, as of this year, the new middle school band director. She graduated from Kutztown in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in music education; she also earned a master’s of music in music education at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. A music teacher at Pottsville for three years, she took over for Mr. Michael Ryan as the middle school band director.

Ms. Dunn loves playing music and is involved in many things inside of school, such as being a choir instructor and being a middle school music teacher. Music is her profession and hobby.

“I’ve always loved band; that’s always been my passion, to teach band,” Ms. Dunn said.

Ms. Dunn also played sports throughout her high school and college careers and has a love for video games.

“I’m pretty much into anything that the kids are into,” Ms. Dunn said.

Ms. Dunn held a meeting for students interested in joining band September 21 at 7 p.m. Parents were encouraged to attend. At the meeting, Ms. Dunn stressed how band students can work their schedules around band in order not to miss class. Ms. Dunn sees a great future as band director. She knows that students’ expectations are probably running high in the midst of this transition.

“I know I have big shoes to fill with Mr. Ryan, with having a great reputation with the band here and having a strong ensemble right now, and I’m just really excited to continue with what he’s done here and move forward,” said Dunn.

Ms. Dunn also said she will not change Mr. Ryan’s teaching too much. What she might do differently is incorporate the iPads into the learning system. Students can use the iPads to download apps so student musicians can follow along in lessons, record themselves and listen to the music they will be playing.

“Since Mr. Ryan taught for 36 years and had lots of history with band directing, he had lots of funny stories to tell us and traditions he had for concerts. I know that I’m going to miss Mr. Ryan but I know 36 years from now, Miss Dunn will have just as many stories to tell,” said seventh grader Vanessa Biddle.