Our Philosophy on Music Education
Music is a fundamental piece of the human experience. Music Education is therefore a necessary endeavor to ensure that the whole child is being educated. This includes skill development, cognitive understanding, and aesthetic appreciation for many forms of music. The primary objective of the Dakota High School Instrumental Music Department is to develop the performance, rehearsal, and personal practice of each student. The vision for our program is to "Define the Standard" in all we do.
The Instrumental Music Department at Dakota High School enrolls over 100 students from the 9th through 12th grades who study with a dedicated teaching faculty as well as private lesson instructors.
JUSTIN MAKAREWICZ |
Director of Bands |
Director of Concert Bands, Director of the Marching Band, Band Program Administration
586-723-2862 | [email protected]
Mr. Makarewicz is in his 12th year of teaching high school band, currently serving in his 9th year at Dakota High School. Prior to joining DHS in 2018, he taught middle and high school band in Dowagiac for three years.
Under his direction, Dakota's bands have been consistent participants in MSBOA and MCBA events, earning superior ratings at both district and state festivals. In January 2024, the Wind Ensemble performed at the Michigan Music Conference for the second time in program history. Mr. Makarewicz also led the Marching Band's return to MCBA, securing the program's first State Championships appearance in 2019. Since then, the Marching Band has qualified for State Finals every year. At Dakota, he conducts all instrumental ensembles throughout the year.
Beyond his role as Director of Bands, Mr. Makarewicz is an active Leadership Consultant and workshop presenter for area schools. He has served as a facilitator for district Honors Band for the past five years, helping students discover and pursue their musical passions. Through these roles, he has worked with thousands of students and directors across Michigan.
Before Dakota, Mr. Makarewicz was Director of Bands at Dowagiac Union Schools, where he directed three middle school bands, a 9-12 grade band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and the high school musical pit orchestra.
A native of Shelby Township, Michigan, Mr. Makarewicz began his musical journey at Eisenhower High School, performing on trumpet, French horn, clarinet, and percussion. His performance experience includes the DSO Youth Symphony, U of M Youth Symphony, Zenith Brass, Russell Brown Brass Quintet, WMU Symphony Bands, and the Bronco Marching Band. He holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University.
586-723-2862 | [email protected]
Mr. Makarewicz is in his 12th year of teaching high school band, currently serving in his 9th year at Dakota High School. Prior to joining DHS in 2018, he taught middle and high school band in Dowagiac for three years.
Under his direction, Dakota's bands have been consistent participants in MSBOA and MCBA events, earning superior ratings at both district and state festivals. In January 2024, the Wind Ensemble performed at the Michigan Music Conference for the second time in program history. Mr. Makarewicz also led the Marching Band's return to MCBA, securing the program's first State Championships appearance in 2019. Since then, the Marching Band has qualified for State Finals every year. At Dakota, he conducts all instrumental ensembles throughout the year.
Beyond his role as Director of Bands, Mr. Makarewicz is an active Leadership Consultant and workshop presenter for area schools. He has served as a facilitator for district Honors Band for the past five years, helping students discover and pursue their musical passions. Through these roles, he has worked with thousands of students and directors across Michigan.
Before Dakota, Mr. Makarewicz was Director of Bands at Dowagiac Union Schools, where he directed three middle school bands, a 9-12 grade band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and the high school musical pit orchestra.
A native of Shelby Township, Michigan, Mr. Makarewicz began his musical journey at Eisenhower High School, performing on trumpet, French horn, clarinet, and percussion. His performance experience includes the DSO Youth Symphony, U of M Youth Symphony, Zenith Brass, Russell Brown Brass Quintet, WMU Symphony Bands, and the Bronco Marching Band. He holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University.
KURT REYES
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Percussion Director, Assistant Marching Band Director,
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Percussion Director, Assistant Marching Band Director, Winter Drumline Director
[email protected]
Kurt Reyes is the Percussion Director and the Assistant Marching Band Director at Dakota High School. Kurt began drumming at the age of ten playing drumset. Kurt attended Avon High School where he marched one season of bass drum and the remaining seasons on snare. There, he learned what it took for a high school student to become a part of a world class ensemble and he attributes many of his philosophies of teaching to his experiences at Avon. After high school, Kurt marched in a PIW group called Indianapolis Independent where he furthered his rudimental craft.
Kurt has taught at Dakota High School for over a decade, where he co-founded the Dakota Winter Drumline. Under his direction, the drumline program has seen a significant amount of growth – with their latest achievements being the 2023 and 2024 MAPA Percussion Scholastic A State Champions and a semi-finalist at the 2023 and 2024 WGI World Championships. Kurt proudly endorses Vic Firth/Zildjian as an educational artist.
[email protected]
Kurt Reyes is the Percussion Director and the Assistant Marching Band Director at Dakota High School. Kurt began drumming at the age of ten playing drumset. Kurt attended Avon High School where he marched one season of bass drum and the remaining seasons on snare. There, he learned what it took for a high school student to become a part of a world class ensemble and he attributes many of his philosophies of teaching to his experiences at Avon. After high school, Kurt marched in a PIW group called Indianapolis Independent where he furthered his rudimental craft.
Kurt has taught at Dakota High School for over a decade, where he co-founded the Dakota Winter Drumline. Under his direction, the drumline program has seen a significant amount of growth – with their latest achievements being the 2023 and 2024 MAPA Percussion Scholastic A State Champions and a semi-finalist at the 2023 and 2024 WGI World Championships. Kurt proudly endorses Vic Firth/Zildjian as an educational artist.
Our Staff and Instructors |
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