Mr. Samuel McKenzie

Samuel McKenzie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance from The University of Montana in 2009, a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance from The University of Akron in 2012, and a Master’s Degree in Wind Band Conducting from The University of Akron in 2014.   Samuel has studied with Larry Snider, Robert Jorgensen, Galen Karriker and Robert LedBetter.  After graduating from The University of Akron, Samuel was the music director at Summit Academy School in Akron, Ohio for two years and recently was the Director of Bands at Meadow Hill Middle School in Missoula, MT.

        Samuel has performed with the Missoula Symphony, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Ed Norton Big Band, Akros Percussion, Joe Augustine, Gary Herbig, Eden Atwood, Liam Teaque, SO percussion and Michael Spiro.  In 2014, Samuel performed as the drumset artist on the Celebrity Silhouette cruise ship.

Outside of teaching, you might see Mr. McKenzie out and about hiking, camping, golfing, and going on cat walks with Jinx (the official band cat at Senior High!) 

Haylee Koon

Haylee Koon is a passionate music educator committed to helping students grow in skill, confidence, and independence. A graduate of Montana State University in Billings, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, having most recently studied flute with Tyler Menzales.

In addition to flute, Haylee studied jazz and commercial music, performing on both flute and saxophone in Jazz, New Orleans, Neo-Soul, Afro-Latin, and Blues ensembles; woodwind ensembles; the Yellowjacket Big Band; and various other groups. Her background also includes music recording, production, and audio-visual technology for concerts.

Currently, Haylee teaches PK–5 elementary music and 6th-grade beginning band, co-conducts the All-City 6th Grade Honor Band, and assists with pep, jazz, and modern bands at Senior High. She is also a woodwind instructor and provides lessons that are tailored to each student’s goals, whether preparing for auditions, building technique, learning a new instrument, or exploring music for personal enjoyment.

In the summer, Haylee also serves as horn section faculty at AMP Camp, where she leads masterclasses, sectionals, and performance opportunities that help young horn players grow in musicianship. She also teaches music programming for the Billings YMCA camps. These camp experiences allow her to connect with young musicians in immersive, collaborative environments outside of school. When she’s not teaching, she is involved in The Magic City Flutes and can be found playing in various groups around town.

Beyond teaching and performing, Haylee enjoys travelling, canoeing, hiking, spending time in Yellowstone, swimming, working on puzzles, and hanging out with her two cats.