John Aanestad Creative Director
Mr. Aanestad retired in 2006 after thirty two years of teaching instrumental music at all levels in Riverton, Wyoming. While teaching in Riverton, Mr. Aanestad’s ensembles performed in Wyoming and from coast to coast at national contests, receiving superior ratings. Since graduation from the University of Wyoming, Mr. Aanestad has been the President of the South Big Horn Basin Music District and the Band Vice President for the Wyoming Music Education Association. He also held the office of President for the Wyoming chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators. During that tenure, The Wyoming IAJE created both an All-State Jazz Band and Choir. Mr. Aanestad was one of the original directors of the Wyoming All State High School Marching Band as the music director and staff coordinator. Since 1989, this group has performed eight times in the United States as well as internationally, teaching over two thousand students from Wyoming. Mr. Aanestad has been the jazz band director of the Wyoming Ambassadors of Music, performing in Europe. He has been a clinician and adjudicator at both the middle school and high school levels in Wyoming and in the mountain region.
Mr. Aanestad has received many honors during his teaching career. He is most proud of being chosen as the “Wyoming Music Educator of the Year” in 2001, the “Outstanding Bandmaster” of the year chosen by the members of the Wyoming Phi Beta Mu 2005 and for the recent “Margaret Peck Award” in his home town for outstanding contributions in the arts.
Thoughts on music education: “We as educators, have a huge task to make sure that all children receive numerous wonderful exposures to the performing arts.”