
Mr. Brad Wallace
Director of Bands, Parkway West High School
Eastern Illinois University | B.M. Music Education
University of Illinois | M.M. Wind Band Conducting
Brad Wallace was appointed director of bands at Parkway West High School in August of 2015. Mr. Wallace's prior teaching experience includes ten years at Effingham (IL) High School and two years as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While at Effingham, the band program grew from 60 to 130 members and consistently received state-wide recognition for excellence in the areas of concert band, jazz band, and marching band. While at the University of Illinois, Mr. Wallace's responsibilities included instructing undergraduate courses in instrumental conducting and assisting with all five concert bands, basketball pep bands, and the Marching Illini.
Mr. Wallace holds a bachelors degree in music education from Eastern Illinois University (2003), a masters degree in wind band conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2015), and has completed additional graduate work at the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. His teaching responsibilities at Parkway West High School include instructing the marching band, the wind symphony, symphonic band, and concert band, jazz band, courses in music technology and guitar, and overall administration of the PWHS band program. In 2020, Mr. Wallace received the St. Louis Suburban Music Educator's Association "Certificate of Merit." Mr. Wallace holds memberships in the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), and the Missouri Music Educators Association.
bwallace@parkwayschools.net
Director of Bands, Parkway West High School
Eastern Illinois University | B.M. Music Education
University of Illinois | M.M. Wind Band Conducting
Brad Wallace was appointed director of bands at Parkway West High School in August of 2015. Mr. Wallace's prior teaching experience includes ten years at Effingham (IL) High School and two years as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While at Effingham, the band program grew from 60 to 130 members and consistently received state-wide recognition for excellence in the areas of concert band, jazz band, and marching band. While at the University of Illinois, Mr. Wallace's responsibilities included instructing undergraduate courses in instrumental conducting and assisting with all five concert bands, basketball pep bands, and the Marching Illini.
Mr. Wallace holds a bachelors degree in music education from Eastern Illinois University (2003), a masters degree in wind band conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2015), and has completed additional graduate work at the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. His teaching responsibilities at Parkway West High School include instructing the marching band, the wind symphony, symphonic band, and concert band, jazz band, courses in music technology and guitar, and overall administration of the PWHS band program. In 2020, Mr. Wallace received the St. Louis Suburban Music Educator's Association "Certificate of Merit." Mr. Wallace holds memberships in the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), and the Missouri Music Educators Association.
bwallace@parkwayschools.net
Mr. Fischer served for three years as the Director of Bands at Central High School in St. Joseph, Missouri before coming to St. Louis. In his time at Central, the two high school bands have earned consistent “Superior” ratings at the MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival and the marching band has earned numerous awards, including “Grand Champion” at regional festivals in the Kansas City Area. Students have also individually achieved membership in the Northwest Missouri Music Educator’s Association All-District Band, Missouri All-State Band, NAfME All-National Ensembles, Drum Corps, and top music schools across the country. Two students have also performed in debut performance with the Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City Northwinds as winners of their concerto competitions.
Originally from Perryville, Missouri, Mr. Fischer received a bachelor of arts in music with a jazz studies minor from Truman State University. Mr. Fischer has also recently completed a Masters of Arts in Instrumental Conducting and a Master of Arts in Education from Truman State University. As a music student at Truman, Mr. Fischer has participated in the Wind Symphony I, Missouri All-Collegiate Band, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, Statesman Marching Band, and chamber music ensembles. In 2011, Mr. Fischer was named the winner for the Missouri Music Teacher Association Young Artist competition in the woodwind division, as well as, a runner up in the Music Teacher National Association Chamber Music Competition state division with the Auftakt Four Saxophone Quartet. At Truman, Mr. Fischer worked with the Statesman Marching Band as a drum major and band staff member, Wind Symphonies, Concert Band, Amethyst Independent Winter Guard, and Jazz Lab Band. Mr. Fischer is an active member of Missouri Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the National Association for Music Education. Mr. Fischer also coordinates music, drill, and show concepts for marching bands in Missouri and Iowa.
Mr. Fischer has served as an assistant band director at both Parkway North and Parkway West High Schools and as of 2022 will be the new director of bands at Parkway West Middle School.
jfischer2@parkwayschools.net
Originally from Perryville, Missouri, Mr. Fischer received a bachelor of arts in music with a jazz studies minor from Truman State University. Mr. Fischer has also recently completed a Masters of Arts in Instrumental Conducting and a Master of Arts in Education from Truman State University. As a music student at Truman, Mr. Fischer has participated in the Wind Symphony I, Missouri All-Collegiate Band, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, Statesman Marching Band, and chamber music ensembles. In 2011, Mr. Fischer was named the winner for the Missouri Music Teacher Association Young Artist competition in the woodwind division, as well as, a runner up in the Music Teacher National Association Chamber Music Competition state division with the Auftakt Four Saxophone Quartet. At Truman, Mr. Fischer worked with the Statesman Marching Band as a drum major and band staff member, Wind Symphonies, Concert Band, Amethyst Independent Winter Guard, and Jazz Lab Band. Mr. Fischer is an active member of Missouri Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the National Association for Music Education. Mr. Fischer also coordinates music, drill, and show concepts for marching bands in Missouri and Iowa.
Mr. Fischer has served as an assistant band director at both Parkway North and Parkway West High Schools and as of 2022 will be the new director of bands at Parkway West Middle School.
jfischer2@parkwayschools.net
Mr. Jacob England is new to Parkway West. More information coming soon. Welcome Mr. England!
jengland@parkwayschools.net
jengland@parkwayschools.net

Ms. Angelete Frein
Marching Band Percussion Instructor
University of Missouri-St. Louis | B.M. Music Education
Angelete Frein serves the Parkway West High School Marching Band as the assistant band director. During the school day she teaches beginning band in the Wentzville (MO) school district. Prior to her work with the Parkway School District she was the director of bands in the Bloomfield (MO) School District.
Ms. Frein received her bachelors degree in music education from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis (2015). While attending UMSL, she also volunteered with the Francis Howell Central Spartan Regiment, Elsberry Marching Indians, and worked with students at Oakville Middle School.
She is an advocate for music education. She has advocated for music education with policy makers at the national, state and local levels. She has performed in a variety of ensembles ranging from wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, and a solo performer on horn. Ms. Frein holds membership with following professional organizations: the National Association for Music Education(NAfME), the Missouri Bandmasters Association(MBA), and the Missouri Music Educators Association(MMEA).
afrein@parkwayschools.net

Tim Crockett
Percussion Instructor, Parkway West High School
Indiana University-Bloomington | M.M. Percussion Performance
Indiana University-Bloomington | B.M. Percussion Performance
Percussion Instructor, Parkway West High School
Indiana University-Bloomington | M.M. Percussion Performance
Indiana University-Bloomington | B.M. Percussion Performance
Tim Crockett has been teaching private drum set and percussion lessons since 2010. In 2008, I was the percussion section leader for the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Youth Orchestra's 2008 tour to Europe.
Currently, Tim performs regularly with the Sidexside Percussion Duo. The sidexside Percussion Duo is a percussion duo based in St. Louis, MO that he co-founded along with Kurena Yamaguchi. They play many different styles of music and perform in many different venues throughout the United States. In the past, Tim have been a member of many orchestras such as the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and many others. As an active auditioner, he has been a finalist in many orchestral auditions in the United States.
Tim attended the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, one of the top music schools in the world. During his time there, he received a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree. Taking advantage of the many ensembles offered at IU, Tim performed with many of the orchestras, the IU Percussion Ensemble, the IU Brazilian Percussion Ensemble, the IU Steel Pan ensemble, and many chamber groups. While at IU, he studied with some of the top percussionists in the world, including John Tafoya, Kevin Bobo, Steve Houghton, Michael Spiro, and Tony Cirone.
Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Tim attended Ladue High School and was a member of the band and percussion ensemble. During high school, he was also a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, All-Suburban Band and Jazz Band, and All-State orchestra. Tim's private teachers during high school were Rick Holmes, John Kasica, Michael Faris, Doug Smith and Kevin Gianino.
timothycrockett@gmail.com
Currently, Tim performs regularly with the Sidexside Percussion Duo. The sidexside Percussion Duo is a percussion duo based in St. Louis, MO that he co-founded along with Kurena Yamaguchi. They play many different styles of music and perform in many different venues throughout the United States. In the past, Tim have been a member of many orchestras such as the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and many others. As an active auditioner, he has been a finalist in many orchestral auditions in the United States.
Tim attended the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, one of the top music schools in the world. During his time there, he received a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree. Taking advantage of the many ensembles offered at IU, Tim performed with many of the orchestras, the IU Percussion Ensemble, the IU Brazilian Percussion Ensemble, the IU Steel Pan ensemble, and many chamber groups. While at IU, he studied with some of the top percussionists in the world, including John Tafoya, Kevin Bobo, Steve Houghton, Michael Spiro, and Tony Cirone.
Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Tim attended Ladue High School and was a member of the band and percussion ensemble. During high school, he was also a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, All-Suburban Band and Jazz Band, and All-State orchestra. Tim's private teachers during high school were Rick Holmes, John Kasica, Michael Faris, Doug Smith and Kevin Gianino.
timothycrockett@gmail.com

Jessica Knopf
Saxophone Instructor, Parkway West High School
University of Missouri-Columbia | M.M. Saxophone Performance
Bowling Green State University | B.M. Music
Jessica Knopf earned her Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri, and her Bachelor of Music degree from Bowling Green State University where she studied with renowned contemporary saxophonist John Sampen. She has performed in the United States and Europe as a concert soloist, as well as in saxophone quartets, saxophone ensembles, and bands. In 2012, Jessica gave the world premiere performance of “The Soulful and the Perpetual” by Chen Yi at the World Saxophone Congress in St. Andrews, Scotland. Her students have earned top ratings at both regional and state Solo and Ensemble festivals, and have auditioned into All-Suburban and All-State Bands.
jessksaxophone@gmail.com
Saxophone Instructor, Parkway West High School
University of Missouri-Columbia | M.M. Saxophone Performance
Bowling Green State University | B.M. Music
Jessica Knopf earned her Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri, and her Bachelor of Music degree from Bowling Green State University where she studied with renowned contemporary saxophonist John Sampen. She has performed in the United States and Europe as a concert soloist, as well as in saxophone quartets, saxophone ensembles, and bands. In 2012, Jessica gave the world premiere performance of “The Soulful and the Perpetual” by Chen Yi at the World Saxophone Congress in St. Andrews, Scotland. Her students have earned top ratings at both regional and state Solo and Ensemble festivals, and have auditioned into All-Suburban and All-State Bands.
jessksaxophone@gmail.com

Clara Richter
Flute Instructor, Parkway West High School
Northwestern State University (LA) | M.M. Flute Performance
Eastern Illinois University | B.M. Flute Performance
Clara Richter has been teaching private flute lessons in the St. Louis metro area for more than 6 years. She received her Bachelors in Music with a concentration in performance at Eastern Illinois University; and a Master of Music from Northwestern State University in Louisiana. Prior to her return to the Midwest, Clara taught a large studio in Ft. Worth, Texas, where she also co-created a summer flute camp for middle- and high-school students, and for several years was co-chair of the Texas Flute Society Flute Festival, the second largest flute convention in the nation. Here in the St. Louis area, Clara teaches private students from many different school districts, and is on the faculty of Webster Community Music School. She is a member of the Flute Society of St. Louis, and plays in the Saint Louis Wind Symphony.
richter.cel@gmail.com
Flute Instructor, Parkway West High School
Northwestern State University (LA) | M.M. Flute Performance
Eastern Illinois University | B.M. Flute Performance
Clara Richter has been teaching private flute lessons in the St. Louis metro area for more than 6 years. She received her Bachelors in Music with a concentration in performance at Eastern Illinois University; and a Master of Music from Northwestern State University in Louisiana. Prior to her return to the Midwest, Clara taught a large studio in Ft. Worth, Texas, where she also co-created a summer flute camp for middle- and high-school students, and for several years was co-chair of the Texas Flute Society Flute Festival, the second largest flute convention in the nation. Here in the St. Louis area, Clara teaches private students from many different school districts, and is on the faculty of Webster Community Music School. She is a member of the Flute Society of St. Louis, and plays in the Saint Louis Wind Symphony.
richter.cel@gmail.com

Cayte Brier
Color Guard and Visual Instructor, Parkway West High School
Ball State University | B.S. Dance Performance, Choreography Emphasis
Cayte Brier began teaching the Parkway West Colorguard and Winterguard in the Spring of 2016. Cayte started her colorguard career performing with her high school Fall Colorguard and Winterguard programs. Cayte went on to march for two seasons with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. While in college, Cayte taught colorguard as a camp instructor for two summers with Fred J. Miller, Inc.. and consulted for several High schools in Central Indiana. For the next ten years, Cayte was instructing and consulting at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana winning several state titles as well as the Grand National Championship with Bands of America.
caytebrier@icloud.com

Dr. Kelly Austermann
Clarinet Instructor, Parkway West High School
Arizona State University | D.M.A. Clarinet Performance
University of North Carolina-Greensboro | M.M. Clarinet Performance
University of Missouri-Columbia | B.M. Clarinet Performance
Kelly Austermann has significant experience as a music educator and clarinetist. She has performed with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra, the Gateway Festival Orchestra, the Fountain Hills Chamber Players, Casella Sinfonietta, and the Vintage Brass Band. She currently teaches private clarinet lessons, coaches chamber music, and provides sectional instruction at Mehlville High School, Margaret Buerkle Middle School, Washington Middle School, Fox High School, and Parkway West High School. She also maintains a private clarinet studio and teaches music history at St. Louis Community College. She received music degrees from Arizona State University, the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, and Mizzou.
kraustermann@gmail.com
Clarinet Instructor, Parkway West High School
Arizona State University | D.M.A. Clarinet Performance
University of North Carolina-Greensboro | M.M. Clarinet Performance
University of Missouri-Columbia | B.M. Clarinet Performance
Kelly Austermann has significant experience as a music educator and clarinetist. She has performed with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra, the Gateway Festival Orchestra, the Fountain Hills Chamber Players, Casella Sinfonietta, and the Vintage Brass Band. She currently teaches private clarinet lessons, coaches chamber music, and provides sectional instruction at Mehlville High School, Margaret Buerkle Middle School, Washington Middle School, Fox High School, and Parkway West High School. She also maintains a private clarinet studio and teaches music history at St. Louis Community College. She received music degrees from Arizona State University, the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, and Mizzou.
kraustermann@gmail.com

Gabe Mueller
Low Brass Instructor, Parkway West High School
University of North Texas | B.M. Trombone Performance
A St. Louis native, Gabe received her Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance at the University of North Texas. She has studied trombone with Jan Kagarice, Vern Kagarice, Tony Baker, Steve Lange, and Donny Pinson. While at UNT, Gabe performed in many university ensembles, including Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Lab Bands, the Green Brigade Marching Band, and trombone choirs and quartets. She also marched baritone for three seasons (2002-2004) with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps.
While in the North Texas area, Gabe performed with the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra and Sherman Symphony Orchestra. Now living back in her hometown, Gabe is active in the St. Louis music scene, currently playing trombone with St. Louis funk band Hazard to Ya Booty. She has performed with many St. Louis ensembles, including the St. Louis Low Brass Collective, the Matt McCallie Jazz Orchestra, the University City Summer Band, and the St. Louis Wind Symphony, and has been heard in the pit orchestra for productions at Stray Dog Theatre, Gateway Center for Performing Arts, and Fr. William Scheid Players. She is also an active church musician, soloist, and chamber musician. Gabe began teaching low brass lessons in 2005 and works as a low brass clinician for local schools. For more information about Gabe, visit her website at www.gabemueller.com.
gabe.mueller@gmail.com