Ed Koehler has been the Director of Bands at Lake Zurich Middle School South since 1996. In that time, the bands have performed on tours to Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Madison, WI. and Cleveland. The bands at Lake Zurich South have consistently received superior ratings at organizational contests. He also serves as Fine and Applied Arts Department Chair. Before arriving in Lake Zurich, Mr. Koehler was the Coordinator of Percussion Studies at Northwestern University and Director of the NU Percussion Ensembles. He has performed extensively throughout the country as a member of the Akron Symphony, Ohio Ballet Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, Terre Haute Symphony, Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, Quincy (IL) Symphony, Corpus Christi (TX) Symphony, and many other symphonic and chamber groups.

Other groups that Mr. Koehler has performed with include The Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Symphonic Winds. Locally, he has performed with Light Opera Works, the Illinois Philharmonic, Chicago Opera Theater, The Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players, The Millar Brass Ensemble, the Elgin Symphony, the Chicago Sinfonietta, The Civic Orchestra of Chicago and The Lake Forest Symphony. He has also backed up artists such as Harry Belefonte, Marvin Hamlisch, Richard Marx, and the Moody Blues. Mr. Koehler has been a featured performer / clinician at several Percussive Arts Society State and National Conventions. He has also performed at the annual New Music Festivals in Berlin, Germany. His playing may be heard on many commercial recordings and jingles.

Mr. Koehler has also held positions on the faculties of Quincy (IL) University, and Texas A & M University. He is a graduate of Hoffman Estates High School, Indiana State University, and The University of Akron. He currently lives in Mundelein with his lovely wife Leslie (soprano, flute & piano) and daughters Lauren (oboe, saxophone & piano) and Hannah (flute & piano).