Menomonee Falls Music We would like to introduce you to our Menomonee Falls School District Band Directors!
Adam Hardt is the high school band director in the Menomonee Falls School District and he has taught for 25 years. He is teaching the jazz bands, orchestra, along with conducting three concert bands. Adam is also an associate professor of Percussion and Jazz at Ripon College. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, he studied percussion performance and music education. He has had many performance opportunities with different professional groups and players including; Terrell Stafford, Lennie Foy, Gene Bertoncini, John Harmon, Bobby Shew, and Ike Sturm to mention a few. In addition to being the on call percussionist for many groups throughout Wisconsin, Adam is the drumset player in the Diamond and Dynasty swing bands based out of Chicago. As an educator, Adam is a clinician and music camp planner throughout the state. He has been coordinator and rhythm section coach for the Wisconsin State Honors Jazz Band for eight years, and music director for the Lawrence University Jazz Camp. Just this past January, WSMA selected Adam as coordinator and section coach for eight years. In addition to music, Adam also enjoys golfing and is the current Bert-a-Ment golf tour champion.
Andrew Hacker is a music teacher in the School District of Menomonee Falls. As a community music advocate, he is the music director and conductor of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Wind Ensemble. His previous teaching assignments included Hartford Union High School, the Waukesha School District, and the Waukesha Catholic School System.
An active musician in Wisconsin, Mr. Hacker frequently performs on tuba, bass trombone, and euphonium with a wide range of ensembles. In 2007 and 2017, the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame inducted him into the organization for the Youth Achievement Award and Youth Mentor Award, respectively. In 2015, the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee named Mr. Hacker as Music Teacher of the Year, and the University of Chicago recognized Mr. Hacker in 2020 through a student nomination for an Outstanding Educator Award.
Having studied at Carroll University and Cardinal Stritch University, Mr. Hacker holds a Bachelor’s degree in music education and a Master’s degree in educational leadership, respectively. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Music Education from Boston University. Mr. Hacker is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Mu – Wisconsin, and the Association of American Educators.
Sarah Holst teaches 8th Grade band, co-directs the Sixth grade band and assists the 7th grade band at North Middle School. In 2019 Mrs. Holst re-certified (original certification 2009) with a National Board Certification in “Early Adolescent and Young Adult Music Education” she also holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music from UW-Stevens Point. Mrs. Holst is listed in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teacher’s”, has received the Superintendent’s Advocacy Award twice and the “Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth” Certificate of Excellence along with various other teaching recognitions. She currently is involved in the Percussion Arts Society, Wisconsin Youth Band Directors Association, National Association for Music Education and the Wisconsin National Board Network. Mrs. Holst is also a busy mom with her three children ages 18, 17 and 13. Her biggest professional achievement and source of pride has been in her daily work of teaching young, aspiring musicians for the last 28 years. She would also like to thank her husband, Brian, who is her biggest supporter.
Kristen Tan is the Orchestra teacher for 6th through 12th grades at Menomonee Falls School District and is an avid violinist.
Conor Johnson is an instrumental music teacher in the Menomonee Falls School District, and he has taught for 10 years. He is teaching the bands and orchestra. Conor studied at University of Minnesota – Twin Cities where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. His previous teaching assignments were with Hartford Union High School and Pius XI High School in Milwaukee. Conor’s goal is to help every student grow both musically and personally while building a strong, vibrant program that brings pride and joy to the community. In addition to his work at school, Conor is an avid Japanese Taiko Drummer and performs with Milwaukee Taiko Group Hibiki.