Mr. Keith Levin, Director of Bands

Mr. Levin is currently in his 28th year as Director of Bands at Crystal Lake Central High School where he directs 2 concert bands, percussion ensemble, jazz band, pep band, pit orchestra, and the Marching Tiger Band. During his tenure he has led the bands to performances in Orlando (4x), Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Honolulu (2x), and Italy. In addition, he teaches courses in Guitar, Music Technology, DC Music Appreciation, and DC Music Theory. Mr. Levin also serves as the Activities Director for CLCHS and was named "Outstanding Activity Director" from the Illinois Directors of Student Activities in 2019. Originally from Buffalo Grove, Mr. Levin graduated Bronze Tablet (with Honors) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1998. He completed his Masters of Music Education degree from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago in 2003 and, in 2006, earned a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership and Administration from National-Louis University. Outside of CLC, you can see Mr. Levin co-directing the Woodstock City Band and performing on his primary instrument, clarinet. He lives in Crystal Lake with his wife Gretchen (CLC '92), daughters Grace (CLC '20) & Ella (CLC '22), dogs Minnie, Lola, and Betty, and cats Addison and Nellie. Outside of band, Mr. Levin loves to cook, travel, and cheer on his daughters!

Mr. Anthony Houston, Percussion & Jazz

Ms. Megan Janis, Percussion

Ms. Janis began working with the Tiger Band in 2024 as a Drumline Instructor. She is a proud graduate of Crystal Lake Central High School (2019) and is excited to be once again involved in such an impactful band program. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2022 with a degree in Music. During her time at Columbia, she was an intern for Grammy-Nominated artist Ilya Levinson. Currently, Megan is pursuing a degree in Math Education at Northern Illinois University. She is also a substitute teacher within CHSD 155. In addition to her work and her studies, Ms. Janis is a member of the Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline, as well as the Potts & Pans Community Steelband in Woodstock. She can be heard playing with each group throughout Chicagoland.

Ms. Sophia Kowitt, Color Guard Instructor 

Ms. Kowitt is starting her first year with the Tiger Band as the color guard instructor in 2025. She began her color guard career in 2020 with Lake Zurich High School where she marched both marching band and winter guard.