Stetson Hills Band

My name is Dr. Caryn Kunz and I am honored to be the new band director here at Stetson Hills. This will be my 15th year in DVUSD and 12th year as a K8 director. My doctorate is in oboe performance from ASU. Most recently, I was named Deer Valley Education Foundation Teacher of the Year (22-23). I have served as DVUSD Honor Band clinician and coordinator, Arizona All-State 6th grade Band clincian, ABODA and Scottsdale Music Festival adjudicator, and serve as DVUSD Band Curriculum co-team lead.

I am most excited to get to know each of your student musicians and begin making music together. I cannot wait to work together to keep the Stetson Hills Band Program a program of excellence!

Check out the band website for a full biography (and pictures!).

Click above to view... This website holds so much information. Calendar, curriculum, instrument cleaning guides, you name it, it's probably there! Hard copies of things like the supply list will be coming home the first day of school, but take a moment to check things out...

Middle School students should begin bringing instruments Monday, August 5.

6th grade students should begin bringing instruments on Day 1 of the second rotation, so Friday, August 9. Students will come to band beginning Day 6 (Thursday, August 8), but no instruments are needed. We are waiting until this date so all students will get to know their other special areas teachers and those classroom expectations before our pull out system starts.

5th grade students will begin band pull outs on Friday, August 9, which is a Day 1. Schedules will be finalized and handed out prior to this date, as well as email reminders. On this date, Trumpets will be our first group to meet. I will try to schedule a full group meeting prior to small instruction to discuss all the procedural elements new to our beginning band students.

I'd love to welcome all returning members, as well as any new faces to our program. Have students invite their friends to join our stellar band program!

Milano Music will be in the band room on Meet the Teacher Night (Tuesday, July 30 4:30-6pm) for any supply or rental needs. You are more than welcome to still use Music and Arts. Check out the band website for a price list for reeds, swabs, 5th grade books, etc. Supply lists will be available at Meet the Teacher night and are also on the band website. Instruments can also be rented for all grade levels, if needed! This Pop Up Shop is meant to assist in any back to school needs for band. Items may not be on hand, but will be delivered to Stetson Hills within the week.