Parker Bixby is proud to be in his third decade of teaching young musicians in the Mercer Island School District. As part of the complete MISD band staff, his responsibilities include directing the Islander Marching Band, the MIHS Wind Ensemble, multiple concert bands, and the nationally recognized MIHS Percussion Ensemble. Under his leadership, MIHS ensembles have earned regional and state recognition for musical excellence, innovation, and performance achievement and have become a recognized presence at national and international band events. Known for cultivating high standards alongside a positive and inclusive culture, Mr. Bixby is passionate about developing students not only as musicians but also as leaders, collaborators, and lifelong advocates for the arts. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Bixby is an active adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor, working with music programs locally and across the nation. He is a member of the Washington Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education. Away from school and the podium, Mr. Bixby enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessi, and their children, Madeline and Duncan.

Kyle Thompson has been teaching music in Washington state since 2012 and has served in the Mercer Island School District since 2017, where he is co-director of bands and High School Co–Fine Arts Department Chair. He proudly helps lead the award-winning Mercer Island Band Program, a no-cut, non-competitive program serving more than 500 students district-wide. His work continues to strengthen a culture of excellence, collaboration, student growth, and community pride throughout the program. His teaching responsibilities include AM Jazz Bands, Guitar, Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, 8th Grade Band, and beginning brass instruction. Prior to Mercer Island, Kyle taught band in the Riverview School District, where he served as fine arts department chair for four years and was recognized with the district’s Distinction in Curriculum Leadership Award (2017). Beyond the classroom, Kyle has served in multiple leadership and instructional roles within the drum corps activity. He served as Brass Caption Manager for the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2010–2012 and was a member of the visual staff in 2008 and 2009, helping guide the corps back into Drum Corps International Finals after a 23-year absence. He has also served on the brass staff of the The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and as Director of Education for the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014–2017 and the UCLA Marching Band staff from 2009-2012. An alumnus of Central Washington University, Kyle is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the Washington Music Educators Association. Outside of music education, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Tiffany, and their dog, Dottie, and can often be found fly fishing in the Pacific Northwest.

Jacob Krieger has served as co-director of the Mercer Island band program since 2020. A woodwind specialist, he has proudly spent his entire teaching career working with students at both Islander Middle School and Mercer Island High School. His teaching responsibilities include the MIHS Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, 8th Grade Jazz Band, 7th Grade Woodwinds, and 6th Grade Beginning Band, and more. As leader of the Mercer Island jazz program, Mr. Krieger is passionate about helping students develop creativity, confidence, and personal expression through the art of improvisation. He believes the collaborative and spontaneous nature of jazz provides students with unique opportunities to grow not only as musicians, but also as thoughtful communicators, risk-takers, and leaders. Known for his positive energy and supportive teaching style, he is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where students are challenged to pursue excellence while building meaningful connections through music. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Krieger is an active adjudicator, clinician, and performer. As a saxophonist, he regularly performs throughout the Pacific Northwest and has toured internationally with a professional jazz ensemble in China and Taiwan. Mr. Krieger earned a Master of Music in Performance with an emphasis in Conducting from the University of Montana. He also holds both a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance, along with a Jazz Studies Certificate, from Central Washington University. Outside of school, he enjoys rock climbing, cooking, and camping with his wife, Annie.

Kayla Arciniega has served as co-director at Islander Middle School. Her teaching responsibilities include 6th Grade Brass and Percussion, 7th Grade Brass and Percussion, 8th Grade Band, 7th Grade Jazz Band, and Jazz 3 at the high school. Ms. Arciniega is passionate about continuing to foster a culture of excellence while supporting students in an inclusive, collaborative environment through music. Beyond the classroom, she has leadership and instructional experience working with several marching bands across Washington state as both an instrumental coach and visual caption head. Additionally, Kayla has experience as both a member and educator in several Drum Corps organizations. She is an active trumpet instructor with the Columbians Drum and Bugle Corps from Tri-Cities, Washington. Kayla Arciniega earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Central Washington University. During her time at Central, she was a member of the Wind Ensemble and traveled to Gwanju, South Korea, for the biennial World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles conference. Kayla is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the Washington Music Educators Association. Outside of teaching, Kayla enjoys hiking and camping.

Our newest director joining us in Fall 2026!

Jane is a 30+ year resident of Mercer Island, who along with her husband Jim raised their two children in the Mercer Island School District. A dedicated supporter of the arts, she has been a longtime champion of the school band program, celebrating her son’s 5th – 12th grade journey through the Mercer Island band community with great joy and pride. She brings a wealth of knowledge and many years of experience in both corporate and nonprofit leadership. Her commitment to the community is reflected in her volunteer service, including involvement with the Island Park, IMS, and MIHS PTSAs, National Charity League, Mercer Island Drill Team, as well as the MIHS baseball and golf programs.