Brian Botdorf

Brian Botdorf is co-director of bands at Lakota Ridge Junior School in West Chester, Ohio.  In his 31st year of teaching and the ninth year as director of the Lakota Trombone Ensemble, he co-directs three 7th grade bands, two 8th grade bands, a 7th grade jazz band and a 8th grade jazz band.  In 2008, the Lakota Ridge Jazz Band performed at the Ohio Music Education Association’s Professional Conference in Cincinnati.  Under his and co-director Sherri Voytek’s direction, all of the Lakota Ridge 8th Grade Concert Bands have received a superior at the Junior High OMEA Large Group adjudicated event since being assigned to Ridge in 2003.

Mr. Botdorf began his tenure at the Lakota Local Schools in 2001 as a jazz instructor at Lakota East High School and a band director at Freedom, Hopewell, Independence, and Woodland Elementary schools.  He also has been an assistant instructor for the Lakota West High School Firebird Marching Band.  Prior to the Lakota Schools, Mr. Botdorf was an assistant director at Clearview Local Schools in Lorain, the director of bands at North Baltimore Local Schools, and the director of bands a Willard City Schools.

As a 16 year old trombonist of Dover High School Band (Ohio), Mr. Botdorf started performing with the Lew Woods Big Band and the Dominic Greco Concert Band.  While in high school, he co-founded and directed the big band Jericho for ten years.  He has also performed with the Andy Chatterelli Band, the Heidelberg Brass Band, and a member of the Stan Sterner Big Band for over 25 years.  He is also active in the West Chester Church of the Nazarene worship orchestra and the Bones of Cincinnatus in the greater Cincinnati area.

He holds a bachelors degree in music education from Bowling Green State University and a masters degree from Ashland University in education.  His professional associations include the Ohio Music Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, and the International Trombone Association.

Mr. Botdorf has a busy trombone/baritone studio that produces many district and state honor musicians.  He resides in West Chester with his wife, Susan, who is an instructor of Allied Health.  Their daughter, Brooke, resides in Norwalk, Ohio, with husband Andrew and children Zach and Luke.