Meet the Teachers

Mr. Alcázar was born in Madrid. He received his Bachelor in Music Education at La Salle University, and a Masters in History and Music Science (Musicology) at Universidad Complutense (Madrid). He studied saxophone at the Rodolfo Halffter Conservatory in Móstoles and Jazz at the Escuela de Música Creativa, where he studied Harmony, Improvisation, Composition and Arrangements with Bob Sands, Chris Kase, Eva Gancedo and Miguel Blanco among others. He worked several years as a music teacher in private and public schools in Spain (1997-2009) and has worked for D200 since 2012. He is an active musician playing and recording with different bands in the local scene. He currently teaches Elementary Music at OES and WWE.

Lyndra Bastian conducts the 7th and 8th grade orchestra at Creekside Middle School along with the Chamber, Concert, and Varsity orchestras at WHS. She grew up in Illinois but moved to Michigan to attend Interlochen Arts Academy, a boarding music school, when she was 13. She stayed in Michigan to pursue her music education degree at Michigan State University and has her graduate degree in music education from the University of Nebraska. Prior to teaching in D200, Mrs. Bastian conducted a youth orchestra in Michigan, performed with the Traverse City Symphony, and taught private lessons. Changing others lives for the better through music is her passion. Lyndra is married and has two young children.

Mr. Danielson began his teaching career in August of 2012 in D200 and was the general music teacher and choral director at Mary Endres Elementary School for 5 years. In August of 2017 he took over duties as the choral director and general music teacher at Northwood Middle School. Mr. D also coaches cross country and track at Northwood and is the assistant choral director at Woodstock North High School, a position that he began in the winter of 2011. Prior to his full time teaching position in D200, Mr. Danielson worked as a recording and live sound engineer in the greater Chicago area. Mr. D studied Commercial Music at Millikin University in Decatur, IL and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 2007. He was granted his teaching certificate in K-12 music from Judson University in Elgin, IL in 2010. While still occasionally working in the audio industry, Mr. D has redirected his energy into audio consulting to improve the use of technology in the music classroom and performance hall for educational improvement. He is currently pursuing his Master of Music Education at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.

Ms. Kaylie Diel has been teaching elementary music in D200 since the beginning of her career, in 2007. She is a proud Greenwood Eagle and Westwood Wildcat. Her bachelors degree is from Eastern Illinois University, and her masters degree is from Concordia University Chicago. Kaylie is a private voice and piano instructor, and has been a music/vocal director for various musical theater productions. She also performs seasonally as a member of the Dickens Carollers, and occasionally works as a studio singer for GIA publishing. Kaylie lives in Woodstock with her two sons, Henry and Ben. In her spare time, she likes to perform, bake, hike, read, and go on adventures with her boys.

Carrie Filetti began teaching music in D200 in 2008, and currently teaches general music at both Creekside and Northwood middle schools. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Education from Northern Illinois University, where for several years, she continued to perform with the professional choir, Cor Cantiamo. Carrie is also the interim director of music at Grace Lutheran Church, the artistic director of The Dickens Carollers, and the vocal director of Woodstock Children’s Summer Theatre. She has provided studio demos and backing vocals for GIA Publications since 2001. When she gets a minute, Carrie enjoys being outdoors hiking, biking or running, planting things, taking on crazy home projects, traveling with her family, and singing with friends. She lives in Woodstock with her husband and 3 children.

Ms. Jillian Forbes began her study of music at the age of 4 with Suzuki violin lessons through the Western Springs School of Talent Education. Since her early teens, Jillian has been in frequent demand as a collaborative musician. She has also performed at several national and international venues, including performances in Symphony Center at Orchestra Hall and by invitation at the Suzuki Association of the Americas biennial conference in Minneapolis. Jillian is a recipient of the National School Orchestra Award in addition to both academic and performance-based scholarships from Illinois State University where she graduated with a degree in Music Education. Jillian served as both secretary and vice president for the Illinois State University Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). She is currently an active member in this organization as well as the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), and has completed Suzuki training for Every Child Can and books 1 through 7 at Chicago Suzuki Institute. Jillian currently serves as the 4th and 5th grade Orchestra teacher in the Woodstock District 200 schools in addition to teaching a studio of private string students and directing the Prelude Youth Orchestra Ensemble at Encore Music Academy in Crystal Lake, IL.

Kelly Johnson is one of the new general elementary music teachers at Prairiewood Elementary and Mary Endres Elementary! This is her fourth year as an elementary music teacher. She received her bachelor's degree in Vocal Music Education from Millikin University in 2019. Prior to D200, Miss Johnson taught in Unit 9 in Watseka, IL for two years, and district U-46 for one year. Growing up in a very musical family, Miss. Johnson was involved in many vocal and instrumental ensembles throughout her life. Through these experiences, she developed a deep appreciation for music, which inspired her to become a music educator.

Mr. Brian Jozwiak has been the Choir Teacher at Woodstock High School since 2017. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL and his Masters of Music Education from Vandercoook College of Music in Chicago. He currently enjoys teaching six Choirs at WHS: Bass Choir, Treble Choir, Bella Voce, Varsity Choir, Madrigal Singers, and Jazz Choir. The choirs maintain an active performance schedule, including several concerts throughout the year, Madrigal Dinner, Variety Cabaret, and Festival performances. This year, he will be leading the vocal music for the Spring Musical. Mr. Jozwiak enjoys performing professionally with the St. Charles Singers and serves on the Illinois CMP Committee for furthering music education across Illinois.

Megan Kim began teaching in 2002 and joined D200 when Woodstock North opened in 2008. For two years she was both the band and choral director and has since settled into her current position as choral director, guitar instructor and occasionally teaches AP Music Theory. Mrs. Kim has her Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Master’s of Teacher Leadership from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She resides in Woodstock with her husband, Mike, an English teacher at Woodstock North, and their daughter, Penelope. The three of them enjoy traveling, traipsing through the woods, reading, and are avid snugglers.

Bill Kraemer-Simpson has been teaching in Woodstock School District 200 since 2009, first at Northwood Middle School and then at his current position as director of bands at Woodstock North High School. Mr. Kraemer-Simpson serves as department chair for Fine Arts at WNHS. Outside of school, he co-directs the Woodstock City Band during the summer months. Mr. Kraemer-Simpson has his Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master’s of Music Education from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, IL. He grew up not far from Woodstock in Crystal Lake and is a graduate of the D155 schools.

Luke Moyta is proudly serving as the new general music teacher and chorus director at Dean Street Elementary School and Mary Endres Elementary School. As an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Mr. Moyta has acquired over two decades of experience performing and teaching in both Illinois and Wisconsin. While Mr. Moyta plays and teaches dozens of instruments, he can primarily be found playing percussion, piano, and singing. As a licensed music educator, he has worked with students in public, parochial, and intertribal Native American schools for 2-year-old preschool through college. Mr. Moyta earned his B.M.Ed. in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in 2016, his M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University in 2022, and is finishing research for his M.M. in World Music also in 2022. Additionally, he holds graduate level certificates in Latin American Studies and Curricular & Pedagogical Practices in Social Justice Education. Outside of school, Mr. Moyta can be found hiking, playing video games, performing with the NIU Community Steelband, or directing music at St. Mary Catholic Church in Burlington, WI.

Duane Peiffer started his teaching career in 1989 in Lake Zurich, IL. After completing a Master of Music degree in 1992 he came to Woodstock as the Director of Bands at Woodstock HS. In 2005 Mr. Peiffer moved to the Middle School and shifted to teaching choir and general music. Mr. Peiffer started the Guitar program at the high school and spearheaded adding guitar to the middle school general music curriculum. He also led the Woodstock City Band for 27 years. When the weather is nice, you are likely to find Mr. Peiffer on his motorcycle “Adele” or on the golf course.

Stacie Savittieri taught orchestra for 6 years prior to coming to D200, and has been in D200 since 2018 teaching 6-8 grade orchestra at Northwood MS and 9-12 grade orchestra at Woodstock North HS. She received her Bachelor’s of Music Education from Concordia University-Chicago. Mrs. Savittieri lives on a farm in Woodstock with her family where they enjoy raising chickens and being outdoors together.

Debbie Schweihs taught band for 7 years prior to coming to D200, and has been in D200 since 1998 teaching 5th grade band. For 10 of those earlier years she also conducted the High School Pit Orchestra, now also gets to help with the band students at WNHS, and currently enjoys being the teacher representative to the music booster organization. She continues to play her saxophone regularly with the Hurricane Saxophone Quartet, Woodstock City Band, and with local community groups as the opportunities arise. She also loves judging for solo & ensemble contests in the area. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern University and her Masters in Music Ed from NIU (plus many other classes). For fun she enjoys time with her family, relaxing by the water, doing crafty things, shooting hoops in the yard, and hanging with her dog Toby.

Mr. Rich Stiles has been the Director of Bands at Woodstock High School since 2015. His responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of the band program at WHS, including classroom instruction of the Wind Ensemble (Varsity Band), Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, AP Music Theory, and guitar classes. Outside of the classroom Mr. Stiles directs the athletic bands, madrigal chamber ensembles, and various other music activities. Mr. Stiles received his Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Iowa where he was a member of the Iowa Wind Symphony, the Iowa Symphonic Orchestra, the Hawkeye Marching Band, the Iowa Woodwind Quintet and many other chamber performing ensembles. He also earned his Masters of Music Education from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned his Masters of Educational Leadership at Aurora University. Mr. Stiles resides in Algonquin with his wife, Meredith, and their five children; Eleanor, Gia, Grace, Gabe, and Henry.

Amanda Storer has been working in D200 at Creekside and Prairiewood since 2019. She had degrees in music education from both Eastern and Northern Illinois University. She continues to play the trumpet at area churches and in the Woodstock City Band each summer and lives in Mchenry with her two sons and husband. When she’s not making music, Mrs. Storer loves baking cakes and spending as much time as possible outside running, hiking and kayaking.