Indian Hills Junior High Band
Directors; Rene Bernard, Karla Killinger
Mr. Bernard
Rene Bernard is a graduate of the University of North Texas and the University of Missouri- Kansas City. He has taught at Indian Hills Junior High School for 7 years. Previously he was assistant director of bands at Valley High School 2002-2007, director of bands at Manning High School 2000-2002, director of bands at Pleasant Ridge Middle School 1997-2000, director of bands at Harmony Middle School in Overland Park, KS and assistant director of bands at Blue Valley High School 1991-2000 also in Overland Park, KS. He is a professional trumpeter and has played with Pete Christlieb of the Tonight Show Band (Johnny Carson), Lew Soloff (Blood, Sweat and Tears), Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer, Gary Foster, Claire Fischer, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Coasters and continues to play his horn.
Rene Bernard is a graduate of the University of North Texas and the University of Missouri- Kansas City. He has taught at Indian Hills Junior High School for 7 years. Previously he was assistant director of bands at Valley High School 2002-2007, director of bands at Manning High School 2000-2002, director of bands at Pleasant Ridge Middle School 1997-2000, director of bands at Harmony Middle School in Overland Park, KS and assistant director of bands at Blue Valley High School 1991-2000 also in Overland Park, KS. He is a professional trumpeter and has played with Pete Christlieb of the Tonight Show Band (Johnny Carson), Lew Soloff (Blood, Sweat and Tears), Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer, Gary Foster, Claire Fischer, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Coasters and continues to play his horn.
Ms. Killinger
Karla Killinger is a native of Des Moines, Iowa, a graduate of Hoover High School, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Ed. from Iowa State University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Ed. from Iowa Wesleyan College, and a Masters in Conducting from S. Oregon University. Karla has taught for over 25 years in the Iowa School Systems, including Mt. Pleasant, Notre Dame in Burlington, Fairfield, and currently is in her 10th year at Indian Hills Jr. H. in West Des Moines. A third generation music educator, Ms. Killinger & her family traveled & performed with Tom Packs Circus, Philip Morris Magic Show, and various show & dance bands. She was an All-State flutist, ISU marching band Drum Major, performed professionally on piccolo/flute and saxophone with Ringling Bros/ Barnum Bailey Circus, Killinger Big Band, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Band, Karl King Ft. Dodge Municipal Band, Ottumwa Symphony, S.E. Iowa Symphony, Iowa Military Veterans Band, the DM Municipal Band, Opus 3 trio, Arcadia Wind Quintet, and conducts the Karl Killinger Big Band. Ms. Killinger has served as an adjudicator and clinician at a variety of elementary and secondary events throughout Iowa, and as a guest conductor at a number of festivals and District Honor Bands. A member of IBA, SCIBA, Sigma Alpha Iota, ISU Alumni Association, D.M.Musicians Local 75, WDMEA, and ISEA. Ms. Killinger resides in Urbandale with her husband Scott Blacketer, an IT Manager with Pioneer Hi-Bred. Her children (daughter Katharine & Dr. Marc Reed) are music educators in Durango, Colorado, and (son Andrew & Brianne Killinger) are PR & Marketing Specialists in Seattle, Washington. Ms. Killinger is the proud grandma to Marlow Anne (parents Andrew & Brianne)
Karla Killinger is a native of Des Moines, Iowa, a graduate of Hoover High School, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Ed. from Iowa State University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Ed. from Iowa Wesleyan College, and a Masters in Conducting from S. Oregon University. Karla has taught for over 25 years in the Iowa School Systems, including Mt. Pleasant, Notre Dame in Burlington, Fairfield, and currently is in her 10th year at Indian Hills Jr. H. in West Des Moines. A third generation music educator, Ms. Killinger & her family traveled & performed with Tom Packs Circus, Philip Morris Magic Show, and various show & dance bands. She was an All-State flutist, ISU marching band Drum Major, performed professionally on piccolo/flute and saxophone with Ringling Bros/ Barnum Bailey Circus, Killinger Big Band, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Band, Karl King Ft. Dodge Municipal Band, Ottumwa Symphony, S.E. Iowa Symphony, Iowa Military Veterans Band, the DM Municipal Band, Opus 3 trio, Arcadia Wind Quintet, and conducts the Karl Killinger Big Band. Ms. Killinger has served as an adjudicator and clinician at a variety of elementary and secondary events throughout Iowa, and as a guest conductor at a number of festivals and District Honor Bands. A member of IBA, SCIBA, Sigma Alpha Iota, ISU Alumni Association, D.M.Musicians Local 75, WDMEA, and ISEA. Ms. Killinger resides in Urbandale with her husband Scott Blacketer, an IT Manager with Pioneer Hi-Bred. Her children (daughter Katharine & Dr. Marc Reed) are music educators in Durango, Colorado, and (son Andrew & Brianne Killinger) are PR & Marketing Specialists in Seattle, Washington. Ms. Killinger is the proud grandma to Marlow Anne (parents Andrew & Brianne)