Danny Lytle
2019 - Present
Assistant Director |
Michael Hanf2016 - Present
Director |
Brigid Mayer2008 - 2016
|
Russ Pieken
1994 - 2008
|
Mike Ireland
1992 - 1994
|
Michael HanfConductor and violinist, Dr. Michael Hanf, brings a variety of experience in music education and performance. As Director of Orchestras at Olathe East High School, he conducts the Chamber and Concert String Orchestras, Musical Pit Orchestra, and the seasonal Symphonic Full Orchestra. He teaches AP Music Theory and serves as the Olathe East Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter advisor and the Olathe East Performing Arts Department Chair.
Since Dr. 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), Universal Studios in Orlando, FL (2022), Kansas City Classic at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, MO (2023), and Disneyland's Hollywood Backstage Lot in Anaheim, CA (2025). In Cape Girardeau, Dr. Hanf’s orchestras performed in Nashville, TN, and later shared the stage with the Liverpool Legends: A Beatles Tribute Band. Dr. Hanf has taught orchestra in public schools since 2006 for Rogers, Arkansas; Hazelwood, Missouri; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and has been teaching in Olathe, Kansas since 2016. He taught private lessons from 2001-2013 and conducted the Youth Star Ensemble with the North Arkansas Youth Symphonies from 2006-2007. He served as guest conductor for the Northwest Arkansas Cadet Honor Orchestra in 2021. Dr. Hanf recently finished serving as the Kansas Music Educators Association’s All-State Full Orchestra Chair. He also enjoys adjudicating string solos and small and large ensemble festivals in Kansas and Missouri. Dr. Hanf holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Evangel University, a master's of music in Violin Performance from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and recently completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education through Liberty University. 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, Dr. Hanf has studied with violinists: Dr. Larry Dissmore, Dr. Rossitza Jekova-Goza, and Er-Gene Kahng. While in grad school, Dr. 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. Dr. Hanf is married to his wife, Sarah, and together they have three daughters: Morgan, Olivia, and Brooklynn. |
Danny LytleMr. 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. |
