Heather A. Nieto, Director of Orchestras
Heather Nieto is starting her first year as the Director of Orchestras at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana, where she will direct the high school orchestra program as well as beginning and intermediate piano. Heather previously taught orchestra for 18 years in Lawrence Township at Belzer Middle School. Additionally, she was the Belzer Middle School Performing Arts Department Chair and Assistant Orchestra Director at Lawrence Central High School. During her time in Lawrence Township she was named the Belzer Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2018 and nominated three times by Top 30 Seniors as an honored educator. Heather started her musical career in high school where she took violin lessons at Butler University as well as harp lessons, for a short time, at Ball State University. Heather graduated from Butler University School of Music in 2002 where she received her Bachelor of Music Degree in music education. While at Butler, Heather took additional lessons on the String Bass and in conducting with Stan DeRusha. While violin is her primary instrument, Heather is proficient on viola, cello and bass. Although her primary focus is teaching, Heather has experience performing with many orchestras over the years and hopes to return to performance when her children are older. Heather performed with the Pro Arte Orchestra, which toured in Mexico, as well as having performed with the Marion Symphony Orchestra, Kokomo Symphony Orchestra, Muncie Symphony Orchestra and the Butler University Orchestra. Beyond her duties as an orchestra director, Heather currently serves as President for the Indiana chapter of the American String Teachers Association, where she works to support orchestra directors across the state of Indiana. Heather currently lives in Noblesville with her husband, Victor, and two children, Sophia (10) and Ivan (6).
How to contact Mrs. Nieto:
hnieto@hse.k12.in.us
How to contact Mrs. Nieto:
hnieto@hse.k12.in.us
Charles Kunz, Associate Director Of Orchestras
Charles Kunz is Associate Director of Orchestras and Director of Jazz at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana. He teaches many activities including concert orchestras, jazz band, pit orchestra, piano, as well as music theory and history.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Kunz graduated from Whetstone High School and received his Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas in Denton and his Master of Music from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Mr. Kunz has taught all levels of instrumental music in Texas, Kentucky and Indiana for the past 30 years. Before coming to Hamilton Southeastern High School, he taught at North Central High School, Eastwood Middle School, and most recently Fishers High School where he started the band program. Although his primary instruments are Saxophone and Bassoon Mr. Kunz has made a lifelong study of all woodwinds. He performs regularly with the Kokomo Park Band, The White River Wind Symphony, GMH Jazz Orchestra, The Cause, Joy Swing Big Band, and the West Winds Big Band. He is a member of The National Association for Music Education, Indiana Music Educators Association, Indiana chapter of the American String Teachers Association, Indiana Jazz Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity. When he is not teaching or performing, Mr. Kunz enjoys making music with his wife Charlotte (Flutist) and teaching his dog (Bongo) the finer points of civilized society.
How to contact Mr. Kunz
ckunz@hse.k12.in.us
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Kunz graduated from Whetstone High School and received his Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas in Denton and his Master of Music from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Mr. Kunz has taught all levels of instrumental music in Texas, Kentucky and Indiana for the past 30 years. Before coming to Hamilton Southeastern High School, he taught at North Central High School, Eastwood Middle School, and most recently Fishers High School where he started the band program. Although his primary instruments are Saxophone and Bassoon Mr. Kunz has made a lifelong study of all woodwinds. He performs regularly with the Kokomo Park Band, The White River Wind Symphony, GMH Jazz Orchestra, The Cause, Joy Swing Big Band, and the West Winds Big Band. He is a member of The National Association for Music Education, Indiana Music Educators Association, Indiana chapter of the American String Teachers Association, Indiana Jazz Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity. When he is not teaching or performing, Mr. Kunz enjoys making music with his wife Charlotte (Flutist) and teaching his dog (Bongo) the finer points of civilized society.
How to contact Mr. Kunz
ckunz@hse.k12.in.us