Alyssa Cassels, the band director at Deuel School in small town Clear Lake, South Dakota, believes that education can change lives. She emphasizes learning through relationships and engagement. Cassels teaches grades 5-12, instructing the beginner band, middle school band, and high school band, which includes marching band, pep band, jazz band and the recently established drum line. Cassels graduated summa cum laude from Northern State University in May 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in music education.

Cassels has continually grown and strengthened the band program over the past seven years and directs bands that have tripled in size since her first year. During her time at Deuel School, her bands have received superior ratings at contests, first and second places at marching events, and the high school pep band was selected as the Tournament Band of the Day in March 2022. She has also engaged with students and the community by coaching middle school and high school volleyball and basketball throughout her years at Deuel.

Cassels has created a classroom atmosphere that emphasizes connection and is fueled by activity and excitement. She strives to instill a sense of personal responsibility in all her students and consistently uses community engagement to promote pride and enthusiasm for her school and her band program. Cassels is constantly looking for new and unique opportunities to challenge her students to grow in their musicianship, leadership and relationship with the community.