Welcome the Newest Faculty Members of South High School Fine Arts!

Ms. Gretchen Schreiber

Gretchen Schreiber is joining District 99 and South High School as a member of the Visual Arts Team. Her instruction here will be focused around metalworks and ceramics. Gretchen received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metals from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. More recently she received her Master of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University in 2021.

Gretchen’s art practice and scholarly research primarily involves sculptures that explore identity construction as well as the use of language and communication to positively affect our knowledge of self, specifically in digital spaces. Gretchen has taught metalsmithing, digital fabrication, and jewelry design at NIU for the past four years.

“Gretchen Schreiber brings an amazing wealth of knowledge in her content area to us,” said DGS Fine Arts Chairperson Jerry Lowrey. “She is driven to use art as a vehicle to help students understand themselves and the world around them. In my observations with her, students connected with her immediately and deeply. She brings an amazing presence and relatability that will shine in our community for years to come.”

In her free time, she enjoys lifting weights and hanging out with her Doberman, Claire. Welcome, Ms. Schreiber!

Ms. Robbi Hicks

Robbi Hicks is the newest Fine Arts faculty member of District 99. She will be teaching band, orchestra, and digital music classes at both North and South High School. Her duties include curricular concert bands and jazz bands as well as all extracurricular performance groups.

Before joining D99 staff, Ms. Hicks served as Director of Bands and taught Music Industry and

Technology at Morris Community High School. There she taught all concert bands, jazz bands, and marching bands. She also built the beginnings of an accessible and flourishing digital music curriculum. 

Prior to her position at Morris, she taught music in the Joliet Public School District. In her career, she has also served as Brass Technician for Victor J. Andrew High School Marching Band and the Social-Emotional Learning Liaison in D86. Ms. Hicks graduated from VanderCook College of Music with a B.M. Ed. in 2018, studying under Mr. Brian Logan, Dr. Charles Menghini, Mrs. Stacey Larson-Dolan, Dr. Leah Schuman, and more. In her teaching, she prioritizes making music accessible, writing strong curriculums, and serving the whole-child. 

“Ms. Hicks brings something that I rarely see in education - a combination of excellent musicianship, high levels of expectations,  and a very strong commitment to the total human experience in education, “said DGS Fine Arts Chairperson Jerry Lowrey. “She also has a unique strength in the area of music production that will help to provide more access to the Arts for all students in our district.”  

Ms. Hicks has experience writing comprehensive curriculums from start to finish at all levels of public education, and she holds certifications in yoga and mindfulness. In her free time, she loves to attend concerts, basketball games, and spend time with her pup, Irie.

Mr. Aaron Kennedy

Welcome Aaron Kennedy to the faculty of the Downers Grove South High School Fine Arts Department. Mr. Kennedy will begin in the 2022-23 academic year, teaching five courses: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band and Wind Symphony. He will also assume a lead role with the Marching Mustangs.

Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was first hired as the Assistant Band Director in O’Fallon CCSD 90, where he taught with the nationally recognized Marching Panthers at O’Fallon Township High School. After great success there, he was awarded the position of Associate Director of Bands at Lockport Township High School.  At Lockport, he ran the award-winning concert bands, jazz bands, and prestigious marching band. During his time, his students experienced superb musical growth and were given amazing experiences including performances at the Illinois Music Educators Conference, University of Illinois SuperState, and the 75th Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. 

“Mr. Kennedy was a slam dunk. He showed excellence through every step of the process. Most importantly, he demonstrated a strong ability to motivate and to connect with our students while displaying excellent levels of musicianship,” said DGS Fine Arts Chairperson Jerry Lowrey. “We are all excited about the future of South High Bands under his leadership.”

When asked to give feedback after watching Mr. Kennedy during the search process, DGS Band member and current freshmen Gavin Schnall stated, “He was outgoing, and very nice and cool to the students. Additionally, his previous experience in other schools is also great, and could benefit ours.” Current junior Steven Krauter added, “He was very helpful, giving small tips on things we could improve on and do differently. He was also quick on feedback, getting straight to the point with focus.”