Dr. Kara Metzger

Kara Metzger is originally from Waukesha, WI and is currently serving as the Director of Athletics Bands at UW- Eau Claire. At UWEC, a pinnacle role within this position is to direct the 400+ member, Blugold Marching Band. She also directs the University Band, Varsity Band, and teaches a course in marching band procedures.  

Prior to her time at UWEC, she served as the Director of Bands at Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO, teaching marching, concert, and jazz band as well as applied trombone and music education courses. She has earned a bachelor’s in music education and a certificate in adaptive music from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Kara earned graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota Duluth (MM-Music Education) and the University of Iowa (DMA-Wind Conducting). Whilst earning her graduate degrees, Kara was a teaching assistant within both schools’ band departments. Throughout her time at the University of Iowa, Kara also served as Director of Symphonic Band at Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA. Prior to her graduate work, Kara was the director of bands at Whitman Middle School and associate director of bands at West High School in Wauwatosa, WI. 

Since 2016, Kara has been working at the Colt Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and has served as brass and visual caption head for them since 2017, brass manager in 2024, and drill writer in 2025. She has also served as a baritone technician at the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps since 2020. Kara became the brass arranger for the Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps in 2025. She has held additional staff positions at the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle corps for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Kara continues to engage with high schools by being active in writing drill, choreography, arranging, and clinicing for numerous high schools and colleges throughout the country.