728 Cadets - Program Directors

Program Directors

Shannon Curtis

Hornline Director

Shannon Curtis is the Director of Bands for grades 9-12 at Zimmerman Middle and High School. His primary duties involve teaching the high school Concert Band and Wind Symphony. He also teaches middle school instrumental lessons and works with students in preparation for Solo and Ensemble Contest and All-State auditions. He is the director of the Zimmerman High School Jazz Band and the Zimmerman Pit Orchestra. He joined the Cadets staff in the summer of 2017.

Shannon is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. In his career, Shannon has presented about best practices, support for new teachers, and the marching arts at various symposium events in Iowa and Minnesota, including multiple presentations at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Conference. When possible, he also performs with the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble, and subs regularly in Twin Cities area bands and orchestras!

Jaeger, Joe

Joe Jaeger

Drumline Director

Joe Jaeger has been an active music educator, director, marching arts show designer, and performer in the Twin Cities area since 2009. He is currently the middle school band director at Prairie View Middle School in Otsego, MN (ISD 728), and the director of the 728 Cadets Marching Arts. He has instructed and arranged for marching band and indoor percussion at Rosemount HS, Eden Prairie HS, 728 Cadets Marching Arts, River Valley Percussion Theatre, Blaine HS, Armstrong HS, Baldwin/Woodville HS, and many more. In 2014 he spent the summer as the percussion caption head for Chops Drum and Bugle Corps and has since been the battery coordinator for Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps/Indoor Drumline. He was also on staff as a snare technician for the world class DCI corps Seattle Cascades. He has spent many years teaching percussion lessons and classes in a freelance setting, and in schools throughout the Twin Cities area, including Rosemount High School, Rogers Middle School, and Harding High School. Mr. Jaeger has an Associate in Fine Arts/Music degree from Normandale Community College and a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

Sterner, Natalie Natalie Sterner

Colorguard and Winterguard Director

Natalie has been performing since 2003 with multiple dance ensembles and has professionally studied ballet, pointe, modern, African, jazz, tap, and lyrical. She has also marched with the Rosemount High School color guard, MBI Winter Guard, and Lux Independent Winter Guard. She studied Dance Movement Therapy at University of Wisconsin-Madison and applies that knowledge to her teaching style and technique.