Kevin Niese is a third-year Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Iowa pursuing his PhD in Music Education. His assistantship is quite active as it includes mentoring student teachers, teaching courses in instrumental conducting, and assisting with the University of Iowa Bands. More recently, Kevin has served as the summer director of the Iowa City New Horizons Band and currently serves as the Symphonic Band Director at Grinnell College. Prior to his current graduate appointment, Kevin completed his master's degree in music education at Ohio University.

At OHIO, Kevin served as an assistant conductor for all university bands including the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Communiversity Band, Varsity Pep Band, and the nationally recognized Marching 110. In the field, he excelled in the areas of recruitment and retention while receiving exceptional ratings in various adjudicated events. As Director of Bands for Vinton County Local Schools, Kevin grew the high school ensemble from 38 members to 110 members in three years. He would later take on a new appointment with the Nordonia Hills City School District as the Assistant Director of Bands. At Nordonia, Kevin’s students consistently received excellent and superior ratings in both state (OMEA) and national (BOA) competitive circuits. His public school teaching included the direction of a variety of ensembles including Concert Band (6-12), Marching Band, Jazz Band, Chamber Ensembles, Pit Orchestra, and Pep Band.

The North Central Ohio native is a sought-after drill-writer and clinician for competitive and festival marching bands throughout the United States. Kevin has designed drills for institutions such as Ohio University, Ball State University, the University of Wyoming, the University of Dayton, and the University of Iowa. His primary research interests include adjudication practices and disability studies within the marching arts. Kevin and his lovely wife, Paige, reside in the Iowa City area.