Kyle Rausch – Director of Instrumental Music

Kyle Rausch became involved in music at an early age, performing with the City of McPherson Pipe Band beginning in the fourth grade.  He continued his musical experience with the middle school and high school band programs in McPherson.  After high school, Kyle attended Kansas State University and Wichita State University.  While attending Wichita State University, Kyle studied with Victor Markovich, Larry Blocher, Jacquelyn Dillon and J.C. Combs.  Kyle completed his studies from WSU with a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance and Music Education.  While in college, Kyle worked with many high school marching band programs in south central Kansas.  He was also fortunate enough to have marched with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in 1995 & 1996 and the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps in 1997.

Kyle taught three years at McPherson High School and Middle School as the Assistant Band Director.  His duties included: directing the 7th and 8th grade bands, teaching the percussion section at the high school and directing the middle school percussion ensemble.  Kyle is currently in his second year as the Director of Instrumental Music at Columbine High School.

Diane Olmsted – Front Ensemble

Diane has been teaching percussion for 6 years working with many different organizations and age groups.  She started playing piano and percussion in elementary school and continues to play and teach both.  She has been a member of the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble for 4 years and marched drum corps for 2 years as well.  She is currently attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins pursuing a bachelor's degree in Health and Exercise Sciences.  This is her second season working with the front ensemble at Columbine.

John Bogenschutz – Wind Arranger/Brass Teacher

John Bogenschutz began his musical experience playing the trumpet in middle school.  After high school he furthered his musical studies at Northern Kentucky University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education.

John has taught two years at Adair County High School as Assistant Band Director, where the marching band was the 2001 AA Kentucky State Champions.  They also received Distinguished Ratings in concert band festivals.

John has learned a lot from his marching experiences in high school as well as in drum corps.  He has been fortunate enough to have marched with both the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 1995 & 96 and the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in 1997 & 98.  From 1999–2003, John was part of the brass staff of the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps.  In 2002 & 2003, he was the brass arranger for Southwind, as well.  He has also arranged for and taught the Timber Creek Regiment from Orlando, FL, who were the Florida State Marching Champions in 2003.  John also has a couple of music composition published through Arrangers' Publishing Company.  He is also a member of ASCAP.

Chris Wilder – Percussion

Chris Wilder has served as a Campus Supervisor at Columbine High School since 2001.  Chris has been instructing drum lines since 1995, which include A-West, Alameda, Columbine, Legacy and Northglenn.  Chris has rejoined the Columbine staff this year after a hiatus.

Heather Davis – Woodwinds

Mike Alvarez – Assistant Band Director/Brass

Mike returns to the Columbine staff this year, and has also worked with several other bands in the Denver area and is the band director at Hodgkins Middle School in Adams County 50 School District.  He is a graduate of Western State College and a native of Florence, Colorado.

Kathy Jo Lebeda – Color Guard

Jessica Streifel – Color Guard