Faculty
Waukesha West Bands is a premier music program consisting of concert band, jazz ensemble, wind ensemble, symphonic winds & percussion, marching band & colorguard, and pep band. As both a curricular and co-curricular school program, the band program offers students a comprehensive music education and a focus on performance excellence.
Michael Zens
Michael Zens is the Director of Bands at Waukesha West High School. He has served the young people of Wisconsin as a music educator since 2004, and has had the chance to teach students at every level from elementary school through university. Ensembles under his direction have been invited to perform at the Wisconsin State Music Conference on four occasions, and have presented world or Wisconsin premieres of new music by composers including Steve Danyew, James Mobberley, Mark J. Connor, and John Mackey.
In addition to his work teaching music in public schools, Mr. Zens is a member of the faculty of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. He has previously served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Lakeshore Symphonic Band in Cedarburg, WI and the Associate Conductor of the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, and he has also served on the faculty of the Wind and Percussion Institute at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. Mr. Zens studied music education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with additional work at Northwestern University and the University of Minnesota. Mr. Zens resides in Hales Corners, WI with his wife Katy, a four-year-old kindergarten teacher, his daughter Emily, his son Charlie, and two dogs, one of whom he loves and the other of whom he tolerates.
OUR STAFF
Our dedicated and talented staff are committed to providing our students with the best possible music education and performance opportunities. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our program, and are passionate about helping our students succeed.