DirectorS
Michael Hanf
Conductor and violinist, Michael Hanf, brings a variety of experience in education and performance. As Director of Orchestras at Olathe East High School, he conducts the Chamber, Concert, and Freshman String Orchestras as well as the seasonal Symphonic Full Orchestra and Pit Orchestra. He also teaches AP Music Theory and serves as the advisor for the Olathe East chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Since Mr. Hanf took the podium at Olathe East, his orchestras have performed at the Kansas State Music Educators’ In-Service Workshop (2019), Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City (2019), and is preparing to perform in Orlando, FL at Universal Studios in 2022. In Cape Girardeau, Mr. Hanf’s orchestras performed in Nashville, TN and later shared the stage with the Liverpool Legends: A Beatles Tribute Band. Mr. Hanf has taught orchestra in public schools since 2006 for Rogers, Arkansas; Hazelwood, Missouri; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and has been currently teaching in Olathe, Kansas since 2016. In 2021, Mr. Hanf accepted the invitation to serve as the KMEA Assistant All-State Orchestra Chair. In addition to teaching in public-schools, Mr. Hanf taught private lessons from 2001-2013 and conducted the Youth Star Ensemble with the North Arkansas Youth Symphonies from 2006-2007. Mr. Hanf holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Evangel University and a master's in Violin Performance from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. His professional affiliations also include active memberships in the American String Teachers Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Kansas Music Educators Association. As a violinist, Mr. Hanf has studied with violinists: Dr. Larry Dissmore, Dr. Rossitza Jekova-Goza, and Er-Gene Kahng. While in grad school, Mr. Hanf placed 2nd in the Arkansas MTNA Young Artist Competition in 2007. He has also performed as a section violinist with the Springfield Symphony; Ft. Smith Symphony; Tulsa Symphony Orchestra; Northwest Arkansas Symphony; Benton County Civic Orchestra and the Southeast Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Hanf is married to his wife, Sarah, and together they have three daughters: Morgan, Olivia, and Brooklynn. |
Danny Lytle
has been teaching in Olathe since 2017 and graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Music Education in 2016. He completed his Masters in Music Ed from Emporia State University in December of 2020. Cello is his main instrument, which he has played for 16 years. Danny was born in Topeka, KS and has one brother who is currently completing a masters in Cello Performance from Nebraska University at Lincoln. His fiancé, soon to be wife, is a social worker for Topeka Public Schools. When Danny is not teaching orchestra, he likes to be outside and enjoys biking, running, kayaking and yard games. |
