Manitou Band Web Site

CONTACT US

Mr. Brian C. Person
Director of Bands
Manitou Springs School District #14
405 El Monte Place
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
719-685-2645
bperson@mssd14.org

Brian C. Person received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. Mr. Person is in his ninth year of teaching as the Director of Bands in the Manitou Springs School District. His school responsibilities include conducting the High School Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo, in addition to assisting with the middle school band program.

Mr. Person holds some conducting responsibilities with the 101st Army Band as well as being the Non Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) of the Mile High Ten, a rock component of the 101st Army Band. He primarily studied conducting under Dr. Reed Thomas.

Mr. Person is also an active trumpet player throughout Colorado. He currently performs with a local rock group called the Martini Shot, is an enlisted solider of the 101st Army National Guard Band in Aurora, Colorado, and the cornet player with the Fountain Creek Brass Band.

Professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, the Colorado Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, International Trumpet Guild, College Music Society, American School Band Directors Association, the International School Bandmaster Fraternity of Phi Beta Mu, and the National Music Honor Society of Pi Kappa Lambda.

Amber Niskern
Associate Director of Bands
Manitou Springs School District #14
405 El Monte Place
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
719-685-2646
aniskern@mssd14.org

Mrs. Amber Niskern joined the Manitou Band Program as Associate Director of Bands in 2006. She conducts the 8th Grade Concert Band. Additionally, she teaches the 7th grade Gold Band and the 6th grade Green Band.

Mrs. Niskern holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Texas Wesleyan University (1996) and has completed post secondary education at the University of Texas at Arlington (2001).

Prior to teaching at Manitou, Mrs. Niskern taught band at The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs during the 2005-2006 school year. She also served as a public school band director from 1996-2001 in the Arlington Independent School District in Arlington, Texas.

Mrs. Niskern holds professional memberships in the Colorado Music Educators Association, and the Music Educators National Conference.

Mrs. Niskern resides in Colorado Springs with her husband Jeff, their daughter Elise, and chocolate lab Drake.