Logan Vander Wiel has been the instrumental music teacher at Marion High School in the Marion Independent School District since 2018. Previously, he served as the 5-12 band director at Winfield-Mt. Union Community School District from 2012 to 2016. At Marion, his teaching responsibilities include two curricular concert bands, a curricular marching band, two extracurricular jazz bands, individual and group lessons, a music theory and arranging course, and a dual-credit music appreciation course through Kirkwood Community College.

Under his direction, Marion’s students have consistently earned Division I ratings at IHSMA festivals, been selected for the IHSMA Outstanding Performer Showcase Concerts, and earned placements in the Iowa All-State Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Bands. His ensembles have been invited to perform at the Iowa Bandmasters Association as the 3A Selected Ensemble in 2025 and as the Elementary/Middle School Literature Clinic Ensemble for the 2023. They have also performed UNI Concert Band Invitational twice (2019, 2024) and Jazz Band One has become a regular appearance at the Iowa Jazz Championships. He is passionate about providing his students with enriching musical experiences, including participation in new commissions and consortiums and engaging with composers from across the country.

Mr. Vander Wiel holds a Master of Music in Conducting degree (2018) and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree (2012), both from the University of Northern Iowa. As a graduate student, he studied primarily under Dr. Danny Galyen and Dr. Rebecca Burkhardt. He also served as a graduate assistant with the UNI Panther Marching Band, directed several ensembles, and was assistant conductor for the UNI Opera’s 2018 production of “Hansel and Gretel.” Also in 2018, he was selected for a conducting fellowship with Jason Weinberger and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, assisting behind-the-scenes in the production of their “Bernstein @ 100” concert.

His leadership extends to various professional organizations. He is currently serving as NEIBA and statewide IBA Jazz Affairs Chair (2024–present), and previously served as NEIBA Major Landers Chair (2021–2024) and NEIBA College Affairs Chair (2016–2019).

An active performer, Logan plays trumpet in community bands, pit orchestras, jazz bands, college ensembles, and chamber ensembles in the Cedar Rapids area. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Juniper. In his free time, he pursues creative interests such as painting, photography, and reading.