My name is Julie Kayser and I am the long term substitute for band, grades 5th-12th. It is a blessing to me to have the opportunity to share with you, my love of music in a setting that gives me the freedom also to convey my adoration of The Lord!
I grew up in northwest Iowa, living in Lake View and Fonda. I attended Buena Vista College, then transferred and graduated from Iowa State University. I have taught music in some form or another for over 30 years. Hubbard - Radcliffe High School, West Des Moines Community Schools, and Mount Olive Lutheran Church and School in Des Moines are a few of the places I have had the pleasure of teaching.
I have also enjoyed working with adult choirs and orchestras. I was blessed to direct the LWML Women’s Choir at their national conference when it was in Des Moines, leading 400 women in the choir and over 4,000 members of the congregation in praise and worship. Truly a blessing and mountain top experience for me!
I founded and co-direct the Military Tribute Concert at the Iowa State Fair each year. This is a volunteer organization which comes together to pay tribute to those currently serving our country, veterans, and the families of the fallen. With about 200 volunteers in the children’s choir, adult choir and orchestra, we celebrate those individuals who serve our country in the armed forces. Leading this organization through music and service helps me to demonstrate LOVE IN ACTION, Romans 12:9-14:23, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
I live in Ankeny with my husband where we enjoy spending time together going for walks, bike rides, attending Des Moines Symphony concerts, and attending ISU Marching Band events, AKA football games. We have a blended family with 7 children between the ages of 22 - 28 years old and we welcomed our first granddaughter this year!
Building self confidence, practicing self expression, utilizing time management skills, working together as a team, and establishing a growth mindset are skills we will be using in every rehearsal. I hope to share my love of music with others at ACA while teaching students how to read music, play their instruments, and practice valuable life skills. I look forward to serving at Ankeny Christian Academy and creating meaningful and relationship building experiences.