Russ Pieken has been a music educator for over 30 years.
He has taught elementary, middle, and high school orchestra as well as on the collegiate level.
Russ has also taught undergraduate and graduate level education courses at several Kansas City area colleges and universities. Russ and his Dad founded Courses With Russ (now Ignite & Inspire) almost 30 years ago. We have been so fortunate to work with thousands of educators from all corners of the country, helping them achieve their personal career goals while also equipping them with content, knowledge, and new skill sets to take back to their classrooms.
Groups under his direction have been invited to perform at such prestigious events as the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop, Missouri Music Educators Association Conference, National Association for Music Education, and the American String Teachers Association. Performance venues include Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the jewel of them all….our very own Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Throughout his entire career, Russ has always wanted to do the best for the kids he has been lucky enough to teach. He truly believes that all students are to be respected as valued and unique human beings.
Of course, Russ’s passion is music education. In 2024, he co-founded Ad Astra Youth Orchestra Kansas City. What was first planned as a 25-member ensemble suddenly burst into a program of over 180 students, grades 5-College, in three separate and grade-level appropriate orchestras. In our first season, Ad Astra performed to sold-out audiences. Our students had the privilege of working with and performing with Grammy-winning musicians and members of the Kansas City Symphony. In just our second season, 2025-2026, Ad Astra Orchestras will be performing at the Kansas Music Educators Association Conference. The season will culminate in June 2026 with a week-long residency in New York City as one of only four youth orchestras in the nation invited to take part in the Carnegie Hall Viennese Masterworks program. The residency concludes with a performance in Carnegie Hall. Check us out at www.adastrakc.org
Russ and his wife Laurie will be celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2025!
Their son Joe lives in Kansas City and is an active photographer, video editor, and director. Their daughter Norah lives in Lake Tahoe, California, living the dream of working on the slopes!
Laurie is a rock star elementary art teacher in the Olathe Public Schools. Now that we live in an “empty nest house,” she is able to spend more time on her favorite art form, ceramics and pottery.
She is working on an online store that will soon be up and running. Until then, head over to her social media channels where she posts pictures and videos of her amazing pottery!
The Piekens also have two dogs. Bowie and Pepper. They love McGriddles….
Go Chiefs….Go Huskers!
