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Welcome to the Butler 53 Music Program
Welcome to the Butler 53 Music Program
“The goal of the Butler 53 Band and Choir programs is to create a well-rounded, proficient student musician who seeks growth, not only within music, but through all other aspects of their lives.”
“The goal of the Butler 53 Band and Choir programs is to create a well-rounded, proficient student musician who seeks growth, not only within music, but through all other aspects of their lives.”
Meet the Directors
Meet the Directors
Nicholas Krejci - BJH Band Director
Nicholas Krejci - BJH Band Director
Mr. Nicholas Krejci is the Director of Bands at Butler Junior High School. As Band Director, Mr. Krejci conducts the Butler Junior High School Cadet Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band.
Mr. Krejci earned his Bachelor's Degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. While attending the University of Iowa, he played in many different ensembles such as the Johnson County Landmark, Symphonic Band, Latin Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, and many different chamber ensembles. Mr. Krejci also marched 4 years of World Class Drum and Bugle Corps. 2 years in Jersey Surf out of Camden County, New Jersey and the Colts out of Dubuque, Iowa, for 2 years where he served as baritone section leader.
Nick is also very active in the music education community around Illinois and also serves as Assistant Band Director at Glenbrook South HS in Glenview, IL where he teaches the marching band, jazz band, and pep bands. Nick will be studying over the summer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for his Masters of Music Education where he will serve as one of the counselors at the Illinois Summer Youth Music Camps!
Nick is excited to continue building the Butler band community and to continue to help the Butler students find their passion in music.
Email: nkrejci@butler53.com
Mr. Krejci earned his Bachelor's Degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. While attending the University of Iowa, he played in many different ensembles such as the Johnson County Landmark, Symphonic Band, Latin Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, and many different chamber ensembles. Mr. Krejci also marched 4 years of World Class Drum and Bugle Corps. 2 years in Jersey Surf out of Camden County, New Jersey and the Colts out of Dubuque, Iowa, for 2 years where he served as baritone section leader.
Nick is also very active in the music education community around Illinois and also serves as Assistant Band Director at Glenbrook South HS in Glenview, IL where he teaches the marching band, jazz band, and pep bands. Nick will be studying over the summer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for his Masters of Music Education where he will serve as one of the counselors at the Illinois Summer Youth Music Camps!
Nick is excited to continue building the Butler band community and to continue to help the Butler students find their passion in music.
Email: nkrejci@butler53.com
Elizabeth Zarley - BJH General Music Teacher and Choir Director
Elizabeth Zarley - BJH General Music Teacher and Choir Director
Ms. Elizabeth Zarley is the General Music Teacher and Choir Director at Butler Junior High School.
Ms. Zarley holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a choral concentration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She was the Vocal Director of Youth Music at First United Methodist Church of Champaign, and the Assistant Choir Director at First United Methodist Church of Urbana. She has sung with the University of Illinois Womens Glee Club, the University of Illinois Chamber Singers, the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana, and more. She is currently pursuing her Master of Music Education degree at the University of Illinois while serving as a summer Illinois Youth Music Counselor.
In addition to teaching at Butler Junior High School, Ms. Zarley serves as Co-Membership Chair of the Illinois American Choral Directors Association and sings in the Hinsdale Chorale.
Outside of school, Ms. Zarley enjoys writing, learning new instruments, composing, traveling, and spending time at home in Logan Square, Chicago with her adorable cat, Josephine.
Email: ezarley@butler53.com
Ms. Zarley holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a choral concentration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She was the Vocal Director of Youth Music at First United Methodist Church of Champaign, and the Assistant Choir Director at First United Methodist Church of Urbana. She has sung with the University of Illinois Womens Glee Club, the University of Illinois Chamber Singers, the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana, and more. She is currently pursuing her Master of Music Education degree at the University of Illinois while serving as a summer Illinois Youth Music Counselor.
In addition to teaching at Butler Junior High School, Ms. Zarley serves as Co-Membership Chair of the Illinois American Choral Directors Association and sings in the Hinsdale Chorale.
Outside of school, Ms. Zarley enjoys writing, learning new instruments, composing, traveling, and spending time at home in Logan Square, Chicago with her adorable cat, Josephine.
Email: ezarley@butler53.com
Jennifer Marsala - Brook Forest Band & Choir Director, General Music Teacher
Jennifer Marsala - Brook Forest Band & Choir Director, General Music Teacher
Mrs. Marsala earned her Bachelors of Music in Music Education from the University of Kentucky in 2014 with a minor in Interdisciplinary Arts. In 2020 she completed her Master’s degree at Northern Illinois University where she studied Music Education and World Music Pedagogy. Over the years she has performed with various bands, orchestras, choirs, as well as various world music groups (such as steel bands, gamelan ensembles, Chinese music ensembles, and Middle eastern hand drumming groups). These groups have allowed her to tour and perform all across the United States, as well as in China and Bali.
Even though she loves all kinds of music and has been fortunate enough to perform an abundance of different musical styles, her true passion is teaching students about music and cultures from around the world. When she is is not teaching at Brook Forest, Mrs. Marsala loves to play duets with her husband, who is also a musician, as well as reading, cooking, and snuggling her chubby kitten, Olive.
Even though she loves all kinds of music and has been fortunate enough to perform an abundance of different musical styles, her true passion is teaching students about music and cultures from around the world. When she is is not teaching at Brook Forest, Mrs. Marsala loves to play duets with her husband, who is also a musician, as well as reading, cooking, and snuggling her chubby kitten, Olive.
Email: jmarsala@butler53.com
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