During school she teaches biology and zoology. Outside of school it’s different. Ms. Lynda Kiesler is part of a band that practices once a week. They are called PowerHouse. It has been going on for about 3 ½ years. They have performances at county fairs, some city celebrations, corporate parties and various bars around Minnesota and surrounding states. They mainly play in Mankato. They usually have two to four performances each month.

Kiesler has grown up singing in choirs and playing in band. She started playing the trumpet in fifth grade. Kiesler recently started learning how to play the guitar. She wanted to be in a band because she loves singing and performing for others.

Kiesler plays the trumpet and saxophone for the band. Kiesler and her sister, Brenda Kopischke, sing the lead vocals for most of the songs. Kiesler enjoys being in a band with her sister and thinks it’s a lot of fun. Some familiar songs they perform include “Soul Man,” “Y.M.C.A.” and “Respect.” The band has many styles they play, including rock, rhythm and blues, disco, swing and present-day music. It ranges from the 1940s to today. They offer a huge variety that appeals to all age groups, even to those of us who have been or are students of hers.

The band has a total of 10 people including Kiesler, Kopischke, Howard Mock, Dan Corbett, Jeff Kaul, Scott Helgerson, Brian Jentges, Kevin Ward, John Kujawa and Chuck Olson. Each of them play different instruments or sing background or lead vocals.

Ms. Kiesler practices by herself when she has time or is learning new lyrics. She likes practicing when she’s driving on the way to school. One of her fellow science teachers is also in a band. Mrs. Kezsler thinks it is great that Kiesler is in a band. “We should play together sometime,” Kezsler said. Ms. Kezsler also said if she knew ahead of time that Ms. Kiesler was a good singer and instrumentalist she would have asked her to be in her band.

All around, Kiesler loves being in a band. “I grew up doing a lot of musical things and it’s just natural for me,” Kiesler said. Hopefully someday soon some of us can hear the wonderful tale