Cheshire,CT 06410

Phone: 203.250.2534 (O)

Fax: 203.250.2563 (O Fax)

Email: jkuhner@cheshirect.org, john.kuhner@yahoo.com

Biography:  John L. Kuhner is the K-12 music department chairman for the Cheshire Public Schools as well as band and orchestra director at Cheshire High School, Cheshire, Connecticut, a position he has held since 2001. Under his leadership, the Cheshire Public Schools has been recognized as one of the “100 Best Communities for Music Education in America” every year since 2004. Before coming to Cheshire, Mr. Kuhner was band and orchestra director at Norwich Free Academy, Norwich, Connecticut, for twelve years, where he was recognized as Teacher of the Year. His bands from Cheshire and Norwich have both performed at Connecticut Music Educators Association State Conferences. In 2005, his bands were recognized as Honor Ensembles by CMEA. Mr. Kuhner began his career teaching elementary and middle school general music, choral music, and strings for Regional School District No. 15, Middlebury-Southbury, Connecticut. He holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Connecticut. Mr. Kuhner is active as a guest conductor and clinician for school band programs, as well as district, regional, and all-state ensembles in Connecticut and Rhode Island. He is also a certified cooperating teacher for Connecticut’s BEST Program, serving as a mentor to beginning educators. Mr. Kuhner has been extremely active in the Connecticut Music Educators Association, serving as President, Student Affairs Commission Chairman, Region Director and All State Band Chairman. Mr. Kuhner is currently President-Elect of the Eastern Division, MENC: The National Association for Music Education. In 2007 he served as General Chairman of the MENC All-Eastern Honors Ensembles. Additionally, Mr. Kuhner has served on the Executive Board of the New England Music Festival Association for the past thirteen years, completing his term as President in July, 2007. Professional affiliations include MENC/CMEA Life Member, ASBDA, ASTA/NSOA, Phi Mu Alpha, and Phi Beta Mu.