Directors

Mr. Dan Foster, Director of Bands

Dan Foster currently serves as the Director of Bands and Instrumental Music at Crystal Lake South High School where he directs the curricular bands, Marching and Pep bands, Pit ensemble for the musical, and Jazz Bands. In addition, he teaches courses Music Technology and Production, Guitar Studies, Dual Credit Music Theory, and Dual Credit Music Appreciation. Mr. Foster studied Music Education at both Northern Illinois University (2010) and the University of Illinois (2016), receiving his Bachelors and Master in Music Education respectively. Prior to joining the Gator community, Mr. Foster was the Director of Bands at Belvidere High School for 11 years, ILMEA District 8 Professional Development Rep, and 2019 Finalist for the Golden Apple Award. In his spare time, Mr. Foster is actively involved in his Church chorus/praise team, enjoys playing French Horn in local community bands, and spending time with his wife and 3 kids.

Mr. Mark Kahovec, Assistant Marching Director

Mr. Kahovec is proud to be on the CLS Marching Band Staff this year. He came from a background of competitive marching with Plainfield Central and combined Plainfield Central/South HS Marching Bands. Each year, the Plainfield marching bands competed at events such as the Lake Park Lancer Joust, Illinois State Marching Band Championships, and ending the season at Bands of America Regional Championships in Indianapolis. During his undergraduate, he worked with the Downers Grove South High School Bands as a student director and assisted their concert band as well as competitive "Marching Mustangs" band program.

Mr. K has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from North Central College (Naperville) and is currently working on a Masters of Science in Education in Instructional Technology at Northern Illinois University. This fall, Mr. Kahovec will be starting his 17th year of teaching band in Crystal Lake District 47 and is a director at Lundahl Middle School.

Ms. Val Kundmann, Color Guard Instructor

Mrs. Kundmann has been with the CLS Color Guard since 2022, growing the program in both size and ability. She has a rich history marching in DCI and is currently the director of the Convergence Colorguard an entity of the Crystal Lake Strikers Organization.

Mr. Tom Kundmann, Percussion Coach

Mr. Kundmann has been with the CLS Drumline since 2023 and brings a wealth of experience coaching at many area schools. He is president of the Crystal Lake Strikers and is also one of the 3 "Founding Brothers".

Mr. Brett Hopkins, Percussion Coach

Mr. Kundmann has been with the CLS Drumline since 2023 and brings a wealth of experience coaching at many area schools. He is Vice president of the Crystal Lake Strikers and is also one of the 3 "Founding Brothers".

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