Kevin Niese is a first-year Graduate Assistant at the University of Iowa, pursuing his PhD in Music Education with an emphasis in conducting. His assistantship includes working with student teachers, beginning conductors, the Iowa City New Horizons Band, and the Hawkeye Marching Band. Prior to his current graduate appointment, he completed his master's degree in music education at Ohio University. At Ohio, he served as an assistant conductor for the university bands including the Marching 110, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and University Concert Band. His teaching positions included Director of Bands for Vinton County Local Schools in McArthur, OH and Assistant Director of Bands for Nordonia Hills City Schools in Macedonia, OH. Kevin's teaching experiences include Marching Band, Concert Band, Beginning Band, Chamber Ensembles, Pit Orchestra, Pep Band, Jazz Band and other various music electives. In the field, Kevin excelled in the areas of recruitment and retention. His students were also successful participants in adjudicated events receiving exceptional ratings.

The North Central Ohio native is an active drill-writer and clinician for high school marching bands throughout the state of Ohio. His primary research interests include adjudicated events in secondary music and their relationship to lifelong musicianship. Kevin and his lovely wife, Paige, are thrilled to be in Iowa City and a part of the Hawkeye Marching Band family!