Johann Sletto, Director of Bands, Crown Point High School
Johann Sletto received his Bachelor’s Degree in music education from Valparaiso University and his Master’s Degree from VanderCook College of Music. Mr. Sletto taught middle school band, choir and general music in Connecticut and Illinois before moving to Indiana to teach high school band. Since 2007, Mr. Sletto has served as Director of Bands at Crown Point High School. Under his direction the band program has doubled in size.
Current offerings in the band department include four concert bands, marching band, two jazz bands, pep band, orchestra winds and percussion, pit orchestra for the musical, and theory. Ensembles regularly receive high marks at festivals and competitions. Crown Point has been the recipient of the ISSMA All-Music Award in 2008, 2009 and 2012-2019. In 2017 the Crown Point Band made school history by qualifying for the ISSMA State Concert Band Finals for the first time.
Supporting state organizations has been important to Mr. Sletto, and he has achieved this by hosting festivals for ISSMA and being the Area 1 Representative for IMEA. From 2021-2027 he will serve as IMEA President. Mr. Sletto was the recipient of the Michiana Outstanding Music Educator Award in 2012, as well as Teacher of the Year for the Crown Point Community Schools in 2014. When not at school, Mr. Sletto enjoys spending time with his family: Kate, Gabriel and Owen, as well as performing on his trumpet.
James Hensley, Director of Bands, Colonel Wheeler Middle School
Mr. Hensley is Director of Bands at Colonel John Wheeler Middle School. Mr. Hensley Received his Bachelor’s of Music degree from California State University, Long Beach, where he studied Music Education. Mr. Hensley obtained his California Professional Clear Teaching Credential at National University and has completed graduate work at Brandman University.
Mr. Hensley’s ensembles have received numerous awards including Gold ratings at ISSMA Organizational and Jazz Festivals, The Wheeler Bands have received the ISSMA All-Music awards 5 times. Mr. Hensley was nominated for the Disney Hand award in 2004 for excellence in teaching.
Mr. Hensley’s primary instrument is the Horn. He was also a member of the All-American Marching Band for the 1991 Olympic Festival in Los Angeles and an alternate for the Walt Disney World All-American College Orchestra. Mr. Hensley lives in Crown Point with his wife and his son, who graduated from Crown Point HS.