About

Conductor, Lisa Werner, with former conductor, Chris Peterson

LISA WERNER - CONDUCTOR | BURLINGTON KIWANIS CIVIC BAND

Lisa Werner began her role as conductor of the Burlington Kiwanis Civic Band in southeastern Wisconsin in 2025, bringing fresh energy and vision while honoring the rich tradition established by her predecessor. She follows Chris Peterson, who retired after an remarkable 49-year tenure as the community band's conductor.

A National Board Certified Teacher with 25 years of experience as a southeastern Wisconsin music educator, Lisa currently serves as preschool through eighth-grade music teacher, fourth-eighth grade band director, and fifth-eighth grade choir director at St. Bruno Parish School in Dousman, Wisconsin. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she supervises student teachers.

Her musical journey began as a trombone performer, and she holds an undergraduate degree in instrumental music education from UW-Whitewater and a Master's Degree in Conducting from the prestigious American Band College through Southern Oregon University. Lisa enjoys performing in jazz ensembles and local pit orchestras throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

RECOGNITION AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Lisa's innovative approach to music education has earned her numerous state and national honors, including:

• Herb Kohl Fellowship - Wisconsin's highest teaching honor

• Henry Ford Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Award (Grand Prize) - National recognition for educational innovation

• Multiple national advocacy and creativity awards from Music for All and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association

• 2025 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Distinguished Alumni Award

• Two-time Grammy Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist

• 2025 Wisconsin Air and Space Forces Association State Teacher of the Year

• Recognition from the International Space Station National Laboratory

She has served on the Wisconsin Music Educators Association board and coached the Wisconsin School Music Association Middle Level Honors Project. Lisa is also certified by National Geographic and as a Google Educator.

GLOBAL MUSIC AMBASSADOR

Lisa's passion for connecting music with global learning has taken her to extraordinary places:

• Performed students' experiments on sound and music while playing trombone on a zero-gravity flight

• Served as a National Geographic/Lindblad Expeditions Grosvenor Fellow, performing a wedding in Antarctica

• Explored the connection between ocean surveying and music aboard a Pacific Ocean research vessel through the NOAA Teacher at Sea program

• Introduced American jazz to students in a Senegalese school through the Fulbright Program

In addition to her work in music education, Lisa is actively involved in several STEM-focused organizations that support interdisciplinary and global learning, including the Limitless Space Institute Educators and NASA Solar System Ambassadors. She serves as a board member for Space for Teachers, where she advocates for the inclusion of the arts in STEAM education.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

Outside the classroom, Lisa is a devoted mom to two daughters, Ella and Marlina, and wife to Josh Werner. Together, they love traveling the world and learning from the people and places they encounter. But more than anything, Lisa is most curious about this question: Where has music taken you?

BAND HISTORY

The Burlington Kiwanis Civic Band has been a cornerstone of southeastern Wisconsin's cultural landscape for decades. As a volunteer ensemble, we bring together musicians from throughout the region who share a passion for performing and community service.

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Burlington, our band embodies the spirit of community service through music. Our ensemble typically includes 35-40 dedicated volunteers ranging from seasoned musicians to those returning to their instruments, all united by their love of music and community engagement.

We perform a diverse repertoire ranging from classic band standards to contemporary favorites, ensuring there's something for every musical taste at our summer concerts.

REHEARSALS

We rehearse Wednesday nights from June through July, 7:00-9:00 PM. [Rehearsal location to be announced - we're excited about our new rehearsal space coming soon!]

New members are welcome throughout the season. Whether you're a seasoned musician or returning to your instrument after a hiatus, you'll find a welcoming musical family in the Burlington Kiwanis Civic Band.