Laurie J. Kunzle is a composer, musician, and educator. A teacher in NJ for over 34 years and recently retired Director of Bands at Lakeland Regional High School Wanaque, NJ for 25 years. She holds a B.S in Music Education from West Chester University of PA and Master of Arts in Music Theory-Composition from Montclair University.

 

   Kunzle composes works for concert band and instrumental ensembles and arranges for marching arts and all ensembles. Her compositions have been played by the Ridgewood Concert Band (NJWS), the Hanover Wind Symphony, the Dallas Wind Symphony brass, the NJ Region 1 Band, and ensembles across the U.S., U.K. and Australia. A winner in the Dallas Wind Symphony fanfare contest and has received commissions from The First Presbyterian Church in White Bear Lake MN, The Ben Franklin School Band Ridgewood NJ, Vernon Township HS Concert Band in Vernon NJ, and a 2023 commission for the Ridgewood HS Concert Bands' 100th Anniversary.

 

   A clarinetist and conductor, Kunzle performs with the New Jersey Wind Symphony, the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, and is a freelance musician. She has performed with the Summit Symphony, Kennett Symphony, Paramus Symphony, Ramapo Wind Symphony, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, National Community Band in Las Vegas, and the PA Intercollegiate Band. She has conducted over 30 musicals and performs on clarinet & saxophone with theater groups including; the Montville Barn Theater, Playhouse22, Oradell Players and the West Milford Players. Kunzle has studied conducting with Mallory Thompson, Jeffrey Renshaw, Jacques Vois and has guest conducted with school ensembles, the NJ Wind Symphony, the Hanover Wind Symphony, and with the American Music Abroad concert band touring Europe.

 

   Kunzle has been involved in the Marching Arts teaching, writing, performing and adjudicating. Over three decades working as an arranger, design team member, and instructor for marching bands and drum corps including the Temple University Diamond Band, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Wind Jammers, Pride of Bristol U.K., the Bushwackers, and the CT Hurricanes. Horn player with the Garfield Cadets and drum major, brass staff & arranger with the Bushwackers. An adjudicator for marching band festivals and a member of the National Judges Association for Tournament of Bands .

 

   As an educator, Kunzle has been honored and recognized for her contributions to the communities and schools. She was named in Outstanding Young Women in America for 1999, 2004, and 2010. A recipient of the 2011 VFW post 6765 teacher of the year, the 2012 VFW District 1 teacher of the year and the VFW NJ State High School teacher of the year for 2012. Kunzle was honored by the Knights of Columbus of Ringwood, NJ with the 2020 Community Service Award and Citizen of the year and recognized in 2020 by the American Legion Post 246 of Haskell NJ for service to the community. Recently chosen to represent Band Directors from across the country, performing with the Band Directors Marching Band in the 2022 Rose Parade, CA. In May 2022 Kunzle was honored as the Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day parade in Wanaque, NJ for the 25 years of service to the veterans of the community.