Staff
Chad Coughlin, Director of Bands
Chad Coughlin has been at Olathe South for more than half of his life... three years as a student, nine years as the Assistant Director of Bands, and is currently in his 18th year as the Director of Bands. Before coming to the Olathe School District, Mr. Coughlin was the Assistant Director of Bands at Blue Valley Northwest High School. His Masters in Music Education was completed at the University of Kansas in 2008 and he graduated summa cum laude with his bachelor's degree in Music Education from Wichita State University in 1994, where he received the James Kerr Outstanding Bandsman and the Duerksen Outstanding Graduate in Music awards. Professional memberships include the National Associate for Music Education, Kansas Music Educators Association, National Education Association, Kansas Bandmasters Association, and the Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Coughlin is a past President and High School Band Chair of the Northeast District of the Kansas Music Educators Association, and is currently serving as the Jazz Chair Elect for the East Central District. He was recognized as the Outstanding High School Band Director of the Northeast District of KMEA in 2012. Mr. Coughlin was selected as the 2017-18 Outstanding Music Educator for the state of Kansas by the National Federation of State High School Associations for his contributions to interscholastic high school music activities.
Michael Filla, Assistant Director of Bands
Michael Filla has been the Assistant Director of Bands at Olathe South High School in the Olathe School District since 2013. During that time, the band program’s ensembles have consistently earned Superior Ratings at State Large Group Festival, the Wind Ensemble performed at the Kansas Music Educators Association convention in 2014, students represented the program at the state level on a regular basis, the marching program has earned a Grand Championship, and many students have graduated from the program seeking careers in music. Before his time at Olathe South, Michael was the Director of Bands for 8 years at Center High School, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, and Wyandotte High School. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, his Masters in Educational Leadership from MidAmerica Nazarene University, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Baker University. Michael would not be who he is as a professional without the love for music and education given by his teachers, professors, and colleagues. He would not be the man he is without the support shown by his wife Lori Filla and parents Paul and Lynne Filla.
