Linn-mar intermediate band staff

David Anderson directs the 5th Grade Concert Band at Boulder Peak Intermediate School, the 7th Grade Jazz Band at Excelsior Middle School, and teaches individual lessons to students in 5th through 8th grades. Prior to teaching at Linn-Mar, David taught at Vernon Middle School (Marion), Drexler Middle and Intermediate School (Farley), and Minooka High School (Minooka, Illinois) and Onarga Academy’s Grand Prairie School (Onarga, Illinois).

David is an active adjudicator and trombone clinician at both the Middle School and High School levels. He has been a guest conductor for the 2016 Five Seasons Honor Band (6th Grade), and his 6th grade band was selected to perform at the 2015 Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference. David holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Augustana College (South Dakota) and a master’s degree in trombone performance from Michigan State University.

In his free time, David loves spending time with his family, golfing, cooking, and baking fancy desserts. David lives in Marion with his wife, Sarah, and son, Oliver.

Amy Kraeplin directs the 6th Grade Concert Band at Boulder Peak Intermediate School and teaches individual woodwind, brass, and percussion lessons to students in 5th through 8th grades. Amy has also taught instrumental music at Prairie Creek Intermediate, Prairie Point Middle School and 9th Grade Academy, Oak Ridge Middle School, and Excelsior Middle School.

In addition to her work at Linn-Mar, Amy is an active adjudicator and flute clinician and maintains a large private flute studio on the Southeast side of Cedar Rapids. Amy is the 2020 recipient of the the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Phillip Sehmann Excellence in Teaching Award. She has been a guest conductor for the Coe, Marion, and Young Musicians Honor Bands, and is the director of the Cedar Rapids Area Youth Flute Ensemble. She is involved with the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band as a city commission member, librarian, and performer. Mrs. Kraeplin earned a bachelor’s degree in flute performance and music education from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in music education from Bowling Green State University.

In her free time, Amy loves spending time with her family, running, biking, gardening, doing yoga, playing with her dog, and being outdoors.

Sam Kelly directs the 5th Grade Concert Band at Hazel Point Intermediate School, the 7th Grade Jazz Band at Oak Ridge Middle School, and teaches individual lessons to students at both schools. A Linn-Mar alum, Sam graduated from the University of Iowa in 2022 with degrees in Music Education and Clarinet Performance. While a student at Iowa, he performed in concert bands, jazz bands, and athletic bands on Clarinet, Saxophone, and Sousaphone. Sam is a past director of Monday Night Live and the Iowa City New Horizons Band. He continues to perform locally with the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band.

Mrs. Stephanie Nuss directs the 6th Grade Concert Band at Hazel Point and the 7th Grade Jazz Band at Oak Ridge along with lessons at both schools. A graduate of the University of Iowa in 2000, Mrs. Nuss also holds a Master of Music Degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.  She runs a private clarinet studio, and is an active adjudicator in the Marion and Cedar Rapids Area.  She resides in Marion with her husband Aaron and is the proud parent of three children.