Matthew Kruse has served as Director of Bands at Lake Washington High School since 2015, leading the school's Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Jazz ensembles.

 

He holds a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting degree from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, bringing a strong foundation in music education and program leadership to the role.

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He is also the conductor of the Orchestra of Flight and the chancel choir at Redmond United Methodist Church. Kruse performs professionally with the Puget Chamber Winds, the Harmonia Orchestra & Chorus, and occasionally with other professional ensembles in the region. He is a member of the Northwest Horn Society and the Washington State Music Educators Association.

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Each year, multiple LWHS band students earn selection to honor bands and distinguish themselves at regional and state solo & ensemble competitions.

​MK: "Right now I'm listening to The Planets by Gustav Holst, Rite of Spring by Stravinsky, early Ellington, Atomic Basie, and of course, my Pit Bull Pandora station." 

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JN: "I'm deep diving into Charles Mingus at the moment. I've also been revisiting some of Coltrane's later albums."​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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John Northey is the 2025-26 Visiting Director/Clinician in Residence for Jazz Bands and Marching Band. This fall, he served as Interim Director of Bands while Mr. Kruse was on a planned leave.

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Northey holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies with a minor in Ethnomusicology from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelor's of Music in Music Education from the University of Washington.

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While at UNT, Mr. Northey performed with the Jazz Repertory Ensemble, and in multiple other groups. 

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In 2026, Mr. Northey launched an optional  jazz enrichment course focusing on combos, or small jazz ensembles, called Jazz Lab. This experimental jazz after-school course was supported by a grant from the LWHS Music Boosters. 

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