Andrew Beckwith is the Director of Bands at Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. He directs the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Blue Regiment Marching Band, Musical Pit Orchestra, Jazz Band, and teaches AP Music Theory and class piano. Mr. Beckwith previously was the Associate Director of Bands at Lockport Township High School for seven years where he directed four concert ensembles in addition to numerous other groups. He earned his Bachelor's Degree with Highest Honors from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Master's of Music Education Degree from VanderCook College of Music, and Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership from Concordia University Chicago. Mr. Beckwith has conducted at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, presented at the Illinois Music Education Conference, and served the Illinois Music Education Association as the District 1 Band Representative. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the National Band Association and currently serves as the ILMEA Honors Band Chair.

Email: abeckwith@maine207.org

Phone: 847.692.8347

Anetta Fortner is thrilled to be joining the team at Maine East Bands this year as assistant marching band director. As an alumna of Maine East, Anetta began her marching band journey in high school and continued playing in the marching band at Northwestern where she graduated in 2020. For the past three years she worked as an elementary and middle school band director in School District U-46 in Elgin and recently assistant directed the marching band at Streamwood High School. This fall Anetta will also be serving as Director of Bands at St. Viator High School. She is also working on completing her master's in music education at Butler University.