Meet Your Waukee Band Directors
Rishi Kolusu is a band director at Waukee High School where he conducts the Waukee Wind Symphony, Waukee Jazz Two, Flute Choir, and co-directs the Waukee Warrior Regiment. Career highlights include marching in the 2022 Rose Parade and Disney’s Magic Kingdom in 2024, Wind Symphony’s performance at the Northern Iowa Concert Band Invitational in 2025, and working with numerous students and chamber ensembles. Mr. Kolusu’s ensembles consistently earn Division I ratings at the Iowa High School Music Association’s Large Group Festival and have earned top placements at numerous jazz festivals.
Mr. Kolusu is also an active freelance trumpet player and clinician. He is a first call trumpet player for many ensembles across the Midwest, including the Des Moines Big Band, the Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra, BYOBrass, the Blake Shaw Big-ish Band, the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra, and the Max Wellman Big Band. He has performed as a guest artist for middle school and high school jazz bands, has performed on Iowa PBS Live with Andrew Hoyt, and can be heard on the Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra album “Dark Soul”. Mr. Kolusu completed his undergraduate studies at University of Northern Iowa and is a former marching member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.
When he is not making music, Mr. Kolusu enjoys playing video games, cooking, reading, exercising, and spending time with his loved ones.
Drake Van Roekel is in his tenth year of teaching and third year serving as band director at Waukee High School in Waukee, Iowa. He previously taught band in the Winterset and West Marshall Community School Districts. Mr. Van Roekel is the director of the Symphonic Band, Jazz One, Clarinet Choir, and co-directs the Waukee Warrior Regiment.
Bands under Mr. Van Roekel’s direction have consistently received Division I ratings at their respective Iowa High School Music Association contests. The Winterset Wind Ensemble was selected as the 3A Honor Band for the 2022 IBA Conference. In addition to his responsibilities at Waukee, he is an active member of IBA, SCIBA, JEI, and serves as the SCIBA High School Honor Band Co-Chair and IBA Equipment Co-Chair. Mr. Van Roekel is originally from Polk City, Iowa and graduated from North Polk High School in 2013. Mr. Van Roekel graduated summa cum laude from Iowa State University with a Bachelors in Music Education in 2017. In his free time, Mr. Van Roekel loves to spend time outdoors with his wife Laura and two young daughters, read, and enjoy music.
PJ VanDerWeide (Hornline Instructor) is in her second year as the 9th grade band director at Prairieview. She graduated from Iowa State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Music Education, where she served as both trumpet captain and drum major of the ISU Marching Band. She is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree through the American Band College, with an expected graduation in summer 2027.
Ms. VanDerWeide is entering her seventh year of teaching and has previously taught in the PCM and Winterset school districts. Originally from Ames, she is a graduate of Gilbert High School. She now resides in West Des Moines and is looking forward to marrying her fiancé, Jack, this summer.
Hannah Emmert (Color Guard Caption Head) is an Iowa native, born and raised in Pella, IA, and currently resides in Ames, IA. She is a 2026 graduate from Iowa State with her master's in graphic design.
As a performer, Hannah was a member of the Iowa State Marching Band Color Guard (2017-2019) and Crossroads Guard (2020 & 2021). She was also a member of the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard (2021).
Hannah has been a movement and flag instructor for the beginner, intermediate, & advanced skill levels at the Central Iowa Color Guard Camp since 2018 and has assisted various high school programs in the Des Moines area with their fall and winter programs. She is currently the head director of Waukee High School's fall & winter programs and works closely with their sister school, Waukee Northwest, during the combined winter season.
Hannah is also a staff member for the WGI Independent A winter guard organization, Crossroads Guard, from Des Moines. She worked with the administration team as their social media specialist & photographer in 2022 and has been on the education team since 2023.
Emily Barr (Color Guard Instructor)
Cael Gerleman (Hornline Instructor)
Nick Behrends (Percussion Caption Head)
Jack Hansen (Percussion Instructor)
Axel Zumwalt(Percussion Instructor)