Meet the Band Directors

Dr. Johnny Kurt, Woodwind Specialist

Teacher and Co-Director of Middle School Instrumental Music
Lewis Central Community School District

jkurt@lewiscentral.org

Band – 108
Lewis Central Middle School
3820 Harry Langdon Boulevard
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503
712-366-8382, x 7809

Education

Google for Education certified educator
Graduate certificate, reading specialist, University of Nebraska-Omaha
Graduate fellow, mind, brain, and teaching, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Doctor of education, educational leadership, music education emphasis, university of nebraska-joint
Graduate certificate, instruction in urban schools, University of Nebraska-Omaha
Graduate certificate, gifted and talented education, University of Iowa, Iowa City
Graduate certificate, Jazz Pedagogy Teacher Institute, University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music
Master of education, educational administration, middle level emphasis, university of nebraska-lincoln
Graduate fellow, saxophone performance and jazz studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX
Bachelor of music, woodwind specialist emphasis, university of nebraska-omaha
Undergraduate studies, Drake University, Des Moines, IA
Studied with: Dr. Nathan Jones (flute, Des Moines, IA Symphony); Dr. Kermit Peters (oboe, Omaha, NE Symphony); Jay Light (oboe, Des Moines, ia symphony) & Dr. Doris Deloach (oboe, Waco, TX Symphony); John Zeigler (clarinet, San Francisco, ca symphony & omaha, ne symphony); dr. Robert fought (saxophone, Lincoln, NE Symphony), Tim Brechbill (saxophone, Omaha, NE Symphony), Dr. Michael Jacobson (saxophone, Waco, TX Symphony), Dr. Eugene Rousseau (internationally renowned saxophone), & Kenneth Radnofsky (internationally renowned saxophone, David Sogg (Pittsburgh, PA Symphony & Omaha, NE Symphony), & James Compton (bassoon, Omaha, NE Symphony)

Teaching Experience

Instrumental music instructor & band director, all levels, 5-12; primary duties: 6-8
Lewis Central Community School District, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1995 to present
Middle level oboe instructor of William Welter, current Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal oboe

Professional credentials

State of Iowa Board of Educational Examiners: master educator license-k-12 talented/gifted; k-12 reading; k-12 music; professional administrator license-5-12 principal; evaluator approval
Nebraska educators certificate/permit-professional administrative certificate-k-12 superintendent; 4-9 principal; talented/gifted k-12; music k-12

Honors/Awards

Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award
University of iowa belin-blank center educator award recipient, iowa city, ia
University of nebraska oxbow writing institute, national writing project fellowship, omaha, ne
University of nebraska graduate college summer doctoral scholarship award recipient, omaha, ne
Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society
Phi Delta Kappa
Who’s who in american education
Who’s who among america’s teachers
Who’s who in america
Lewis Central School District Teacher of the Year Award multiple-year nominee
Lewis Central Middle School above and beyond teacher award recipient
Grammy signature school music award, Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, IA
University of iowa belin-blank advanced leadership institute, iowa city, ia
University of Iowa Belin-Blank Talented/Gifted Teacher Fellowship recipient, Iowa City, IA
USA Today All-USA Teacher team nominee
Disney’s American Teacher Awards nominee
Outstanding young Americans
Baylor university graduate fellowship award, waco, tx
University of Nebraska College of Fine Arts Dean’s Award recipient, Omaha, NE
Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society
Golden Key National Academic Honor Society
University of Nebraska, James B. Peterson concerto competition winner, Omaha, NE
University of Nebraska chancellor’s & dean’s lists, Omaha, NE

Professional/Volunteer Associations

Bellevue Little Theater (Bellevue, NE), Reed's musician
Chanticleer Theater (Council Bluffs, IA), reed musician
Iowa High School Music Association, adjudicator
Iowa state education association/national education association
Nebraska School Activities Association, adjudicator
Nebraska Wind Symphony (Omaha), bassoon
Omaha Community Playhouse (ne), Reed's musician
Orchestra Omaha (NE), oboe & English horn, bassoon
Ralston Community Theater (Ralston, NE), Reed's musician
St. Paul’s united methodist church (Papillion, NE), orchestral musician, bassoon
St. Timothy's lutheran church (Omaha, NE), orchestral musician, oboe
Southwest Iowa Bandmasters Association/Iowa Bandmasters Association

"The orchestra is extra special. It seems as though the musicians wanted to expand their sound for the anniversary production, though it also seems as though there weren't many more instruments than in previous years. Maybe it's the mix. Definitely it's the personnel and music director Chris Ebke." Betsie Freeman, The Omaha (NE) World-Herald, 7/18/2019, Beauty and the Beast, Ralston Community Theatre, Ralston, NE

"The six piece orchestra conducted by Chris Ebke is so good. I especially appreciated the woodwinds, which deftly handled intricate runs as if they were simple scales." Christine Swerczek, Broadway World, 3/16/19, She Loves Me, Bellevue Little Theatre, Bellevue, NE

"The music director is Liz Stinman. She also conducts the pit orchestra during the show and plays keyboard. Her orchestra has eight great musicians: Lacey Atkinson, Wanisha Clements, Heidi Copeland, Christina Allred, Nate Simons, Johnny Kurt, and Kaylene Diaz. The orchestra sounds very professional." Loyal Fairman, The Council Bluffs (IA) Daily Nonpareil, 1/24/19, Little Women, Chanticleer Community Theater, Council Bluffs, IA

"The orchestra, led by Chris Ebke, is one of the best I've heard." Christine Swerczek, Broadway World, 3/2/18, James and the Giant Peach, Omaha Community Playhouse, Omaha, NE

Watch Dr. Kurt perform (19.09-41.09) with Orchestra Omaha in Virtual Concert!