Chad Bieniek, Co-Director of Bands at Lakeville South High School, has taught in Lakeville since 2015. He teaches Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble I/II, Fall and Summer Marching Band, Pep Band, multiple Chamber Ensembles and Beginning Guitar. His goal is to serve his students so they can serve their school and community with the musical skills they are developing. He loves the opportunity to contribute to the pride and musical success of the young musicians in the community he resides.
Chad earned a Bachelor of Music Degree, with a major in Music Education from the University of Minnesota in 2002. In 2011 he earned a Masters in Music Degree from Boston University. He has been an American Stars of Teaching and FOX9 Teacher of the Year nominee and was Montgomery–Lonsdale High School’s Teacher of the Year in 2008. In 2019 he was nominated as a Lakeville Inclusive Educator and was a nominee for Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
Prior to teaching in Lakeville, Chad started teaching in the Montgomery-Lonsdale School District in 2003. After teaching in the Montgomery-Lonsdale District for six years, he took a two year leave of absence so that his wife, Tiffany, could attend Butler University in Indiana. While there, he enjoyed two successful years of teaching with and learning from great colleagues and leading ensembles to superior performances and a track marching band state championship. After being away from Minnesota for two years, he returned to Montgomery and taught four more years in the now Tri-City United district.
Outside of school, Mr. Bieniek enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, son and the outdoors. He loves hiking with family and spends time each summer in places such as the north shore, the greater Yellowstone area or the Canadian and Colorado Rockies. He is so thankful to teach with such passionate music educators, Nick Castonguay and Julie Brott every day and for the opportunity to make great music and memories with the LSHS Bands! You can contact Mr. Bieniek at chad.bieniek@isd194.org.
Nicholas Castonguay, Co-Director of Bands, is Co-Director of Bands at Lakeville South High School where he works with the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz I/II Ensembles, Marching Band, Pep Band, and Chamber Ensembles. Prior to his appointment at Lakeville South, he served as Director of Bands at Shorewood High School in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Mr. Castonguay served as a conducting graduate assistant with the University Bands at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and assistant conductor of the UWM Youth Wind Ensembles while working on his Master’s Degree. He has taught for over thirteen years at high schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin including Wausau West High School and Burnsville High School. Under his leadership, the Shorewood High School Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the Wisconsin State Music Conference in October of 2016.
Mr. Castonguay holds a Master of Music (M.M.) degree in wind conducting from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree in music education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Mr. Castonguay is an accomplished trombonist and has performed with a variety of ensembles throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. Most recently, he has performed with Milwaukee regional orchestras and wedding bands including the Festival City Symphony and Nightlife. Mr. Castonguay also conducted area community bands including the West Allis Suburban Band and Whitefish Bay Concert Band.
He holds active membership in the National Association for Music Education and the Wisconsin and Minnesota Music Educators Association. He resides in Lakeville with his family including his two daughters, Claire and Aubry. Mr. Castonguay enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing recreational tennis in his spare time.
Links to Director Resources
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