Teachers
Wayne Gordon - Band
Wayne Gordon is beginning his 25th year of teaching in District 27 and earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Northwestern University. Prior to arriving in District 27, Mr. Gordon taught at Chopticon High School in St. Mary’s County, MD, held several administrative posts at Northwestern University, and served as Music Director and Conductor of the University of Chicago Wind Ensemble for 20 years.
Under his direction the Bands at Wood Oaks have performed at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival 14 times, and been named honor band twice. The Wind Ensemble has performed at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference (2009, 2019), and earned dozens of superior ratings at the Illinois Grade School Music Association Festivals, the Lake County Live Competition, Illinois State University Concert Band Festival, and the North Shore Jazz Festival.
Mr. Gordon is a National Board Certified Teacher in Music, and a frequently requested clinician, conductor and adjudicator in Illinois. Mr. Gordon has received numerous awards for his teaching including the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award and numerous Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association. Mr. Gordon is the co-founder of the All-Illinois Junior Band, and currently serves as the Illinois State Chair for the National Band Association.
Nathan Rhodes - Orchestra
Nathan Rhodes is a 3rd year teacher in District 27 this year. Mr. Rhodes earned his Masters degree in Music Education from Lake Forest College. Before joining District 27, he spent four years teaching orchestra and general music in Highland Park District 112. He has also taught students throughout the Chicagoland area through the El Sistema Ravinia program and Midway Chamber Music.
He is an active member of the American String Teachers Association, and certified in Suzuki and Paul Rolland Pedagogy methods. Mr. Rhodes served as assistant principal cellist in the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra, and frequently collaborates on recording projects for composers and musicians in the Chicagoland area. He has also performed in orchestras and as a soloist in Germany, Italy, Czechia, California and throughout the Midwest. In addition to music he is passionate about ice hockey, chess, and reading non-fiction.
Genevieve Klein - Chorus
Genevieve Klein is in her 6th year teaching in District 27. Ms. Klein received her Master’s degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in 2011 and her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from North Park University in 2005. Prior to teaching at Wood Oaks Jr. High, Ms. Klein taught in Vernon Hills. Ms. Klein is an active soprano in the Chicagoland area. She sang with the Chicago Chamber Choir from 2012-2020.
Ms. Klein is an active member of ILMEA and IGSMA and has been a judge for Solo & Ensemble for other schools in the north shore. Ms. Klein directs the Wood Oaks Chorus, Honor Choir, and Musical. Under the direction of Ms. Klein, the Wood Oaks Chorus attended the IGSMA District 8 contest for the first time in 2023 and received a Division 1 rating. Ms. Klein also prepares students from Honor Choir to attend the Northfield Solo & Ensemble Festival.