Batavia High School Music Faculty
Peter Barsch
Chorus Teacher
Contact: peter.barsch@bps101.net; 630.937.8639
Peter Barsch joins the faculty at Batavia High School to teach all curricular and co-curricular choirs. Mr. Barsch holds a Masters Degree in Choral Music Education from Northern Illinois University and two Bachelors Degrees from the Honors Program at Loyola University Chicago. Mr. Barsch is also a Google Certified Educator, Level 1.
Before coming to BHS, Mr. Barsch spent eleven years as the choir director at Oswego East High School since its founding in 2004. He was a Quarter-Finalist for the inaugural Grammy "Music Educator of the Year" Award in 2014, and has been listed in "Who's Who among America's Teachers". In 2013, OEHS choirs earned the coveted "Golden Mickey" award at the Festival Disney competition in Orlando along with awards for Best Concert Choir, Best Soloist, and Best Vocal Jazz Choir. OEHS's pop a cappella group "Voice Activated" was a Midwest Semi-finalist for the last two years of his tenure there.
Mr. Barsch and his wife Annie live in Batavia with sons Samuel and Nathaniel. An avid reader, he loves history, historical fiction, and sci-fi/fantasy. He maintains a busy performing schedule, often singing and recording with the professional chamber choir Cor Cantiamo, singing with the choirs at Gary United Methodist Church and Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, and worship leading with voice, bass, or piano at Community Christian Church's Yellow Box campus.
Chorus Teacher
Contact: peter.barsch@bps101.net; 630.937.8639
Peter Barsch joins the faculty at Batavia High School to teach all curricular and co-curricular choirs. Mr. Barsch holds a Masters Degree in Choral Music Education from Northern Illinois University and two Bachelors Degrees from the Honors Program at Loyola University Chicago. Mr. Barsch is also a Google Certified Educator, Level 1.
Before coming to BHS, Mr. Barsch spent eleven years as the choir director at Oswego East High School since its founding in 2004. He was a Quarter-Finalist for the inaugural Grammy "Music Educator of the Year" Award in 2014, and has been listed in "Who's Who among America's Teachers". In 2013, OEHS choirs earned the coveted "Golden Mickey" award at the Festival Disney competition in Orlando along with awards for Best Concert Choir, Best Soloist, and Best Vocal Jazz Choir. OEHS's pop a cappella group "Voice Activated" was a Midwest Semi-finalist for the last two years of his tenure there.
Mr. Barsch and his wife Annie live in Batavia with sons Samuel and Nathaniel. An avid reader, he loves history, historical fiction, and sci-fi/fantasy. He maintains a busy performing schedule, often singing and recording with the professional chamber choir Cor Cantiamo, singing with the choirs at Gary United Methodist Church and Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, and worship leading with voice, bass, or piano at Community Christian Church's Yellow Box campus.
Chris Owen
Band Teacher, AP Music Theory Teacher
Contact: chris.owen@bps101.net; 630.937.8640
Chris Owen is one of the band directors at Batavia High School, where he co-teaches all levels of curricular concert band and percussion classes as well as AP Music Theory. Mr. Owen co-directs the Batavia Marching Band and directs the Batavia Jazz Workship as well. During his tenure in Batavia, the Batavia Wind Symphony has won their class at the State of Illinois Concert Band Festival for two consecutive years. Further, during his tenure, the Batavia Music Department was honored as a Grammy Signature School Semi-Finalist in three consecutive years by the Grammy Foundation and was listed as a Top Community in Music Education by the NAMM foundation twice. Before his time at Batavia High School, Mr. Owen was the Assistant Director of Bands at Glenbard East High School from 2006-2012. Mr. Owen has recently served as Band Representative for the Illinois Music Educator's Association - District IX. Mr. Owen has presented clinics on AP Music Theory and guest conducted at the Illinois Music Educator's Conference as well as guest conducted the Elmhurst College Wind Ensemble in 2012 and the Wheaton College Symphonic Band in 2015.
A native of Lansing, IL, Mr. Owen is a 2005 graduate of The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Mr. Owen has recently completed his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. His teachers and mentors include Joanne May, Ross Heise, Ross Kellan, Bobby Lambert, David Allie, Tim McGovern and Joseph Manfredo.
Band Teacher, AP Music Theory Teacher
Contact: chris.owen@bps101.net; 630.937.8640
Chris Owen is one of the band directors at Batavia High School, where he co-teaches all levels of curricular concert band and percussion classes as well as AP Music Theory. Mr. Owen co-directs the Batavia Marching Band and directs the Batavia Jazz Workship as well. During his tenure in Batavia, the Batavia Wind Symphony has won their class at the State of Illinois Concert Band Festival for two consecutive years. Further, during his tenure, the Batavia Music Department was honored as a Grammy Signature School Semi-Finalist in three consecutive years by the Grammy Foundation and was listed as a Top Community in Music Education by the NAMM foundation twice. Before his time at Batavia High School, Mr. Owen was the Assistant Director of Bands at Glenbard East High School from 2006-2012. Mr. Owen has recently served as Band Representative for the Illinois Music Educator's Association - District IX. Mr. Owen has presented clinics on AP Music Theory and guest conducted at the Illinois Music Educator's Conference as well as guest conducted the Elmhurst College Wind Ensemble in 2012 and the Wheaton College Symphonic Band in 2015.
A native of Lansing, IL, Mr. Owen is a 2005 graduate of The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Mr. Owen has recently completed his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. His teachers and mentors include Joanne May, Ross Heise, Ross Kellan, Bobby Lambert, David Allie, Tim McGovern and Joseph Manfredo.
Allison Liska
Orchestra Teacher
Contact: allison.liska@bps101.net; 630.937.8664
Allison Liska is the orchestra teacher at Batavia High School, teaching all curricular and co-curricular string ensembles. Mrs. Liska attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned degrees in both Music Performance and Music Education, while attending on a full-tuition scholarship for viola performance. Upon graduation, she received her first orchestra director position in DeKalb, teaching middle and high school orchestras from 2009-2015. While teaching in DeKalb, she earned her Master's Degree in viola performance at Northern Illinois University. Mrs. Liska also has a unique background in Irish and Scottish fiddling, having performed with several Celtic ensembles. Mrs. Liska lives in Batavia with her musical husband and five birds.
Orchestra Teacher
Contact: allison.liska@bps101.net; 630.937.8664
Allison Liska is the orchestra teacher at Batavia High School, teaching all curricular and co-curricular string ensembles. Mrs. Liska attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned degrees in both Music Performance and Music Education, while attending on a full-tuition scholarship for viola performance. Upon graduation, she received her first orchestra director position in DeKalb, teaching middle and high school orchestras from 2009-2015. While teaching in DeKalb, she earned her Master's Degree in viola performance at Northern Illinois University. Mrs. Liska also has a unique background in Irish and Scottish fiddling, having performed with several Celtic ensembles. Mrs. Liska lives in Batavia with her musical husband and five birds.
Brian Van Kley
Band Teacher, Rock and Roll Methods Teacher
Contact: brian.vankley@bps101.net; 630.937.8641
Brian Van Kley joins the Batavia High School Music staff after ten years as the Assistant Band Director for Naperville North High School in District 203. Mr. VanKley teaches all levels of curricular concert band, percussion classes and Rock and Roll Methods at Batavia High School as well as co-directing the marching band, pep band and jazz ensemble. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in 1996. After teaching in Peoria District 150 and Plainfield District 202, he attended Northern Illinois University, studying conducting under Dr. Ronnie Wooten, and earning his Masters of Music Education in 2003. After serving that institution for one semester as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Education, he began his tenure at Naperville North. In addition to his studies in Music Education, Mr. Van Kley has earned graduate credits in Reading Instruction, a subject which holds a great deal of interest for him.
Band Teacher, Rock and Roll Methods Teacher
Contact: brian.vankley@bps101.net; 630.937.8641
Brian Van Kley joins the Batavia High School Music staff after ten years as the Assistant Band Director for Naperville North High School in District 203. Mr. VanKley teaches all levels of curricular concert band, percussion classes and Rock and Roll Methods at Batavia High School as well as co-directing the marching band, pep band and jazz ensemble. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in 1996. After teaching in Peoria District 150 and Plainfield District 202, he attended Northern Illinois University, studying conducting under Dr. Ronnie Wooten, and earning his Masters of Music Education in 2003. After serving that institution for one semester as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Education, he began his tenure at Naperville North. In addition to his studies in Music Education, Mr. Van Kley has earned graduate credits in Reading Instruction, a subject which holds a great deal of interest for him.
