A member of the Zachary High School Band from 1989 to 1993, Kara played flute and piccolo before serving as drum major her junior and senior years. One of her favorite memories was traveling to Washington, D.C., where the ZHS Band represented Louisiana during the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America. As drum major, she had the unforgettable experience of conducting the band at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

After graduating, Kara joined the LSU Tiger Band, marching for four years and even meeting her future husband, Andre. While LSU football struggled during those seasons, she says her time in Tiger Band was “priceless” and taught her that marching band is about far more than what fans see on the field.

Following several years teaching in the Zachary school system, Kara began her career at LSU in 2016. Today, she serves as Business Manager for the Department of Bands and takes pride in seeing former Zachary students—including some she taught as second graders—now marching in Tiger Band themselves.

“Music is my life,” Kara says. “My time in the Zachary High band kickstarted the path that put me where I am today—living my dream.” 

Donny Alexander

For the Alexander family, Tiger Band is truly a family tradition. Zachary High School Band Director Donny Alexander is a ZHS alum and former LSU Tiger Band member. His wife, a former Rollins Place Elementary music teacher, was a member of the LSU Color Guard. Their daughter, Mariah, followed in their footsteps as a ZHS band member before becoming a section leader in Tiger Band and graduating from LSU this year. Their youngest daughter, Leila, is continuing the family legacy as a trumpet player in Tiger Band. From Zachary to Death Valley, music runs deep in the Alexander family.