I am currently a PhD Candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Music Education Program at the University of Iowa. While at UI, I have taught Techniques of Conducting, Psychology of Music, Music Methods and Materials for Classroom Teachers, and have supervised Music Education student teachers. I served in the Graduate Student Senate as a School of Music representative, and as the Music Education graduate representative for the Student Advisory Council in the School of Music.

I earned my B.S.Ed. degree in Vocal Music Education in 2002 from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO. After graduating from NWMSU, I attended the University of Nebraska- Omaha where I earned a Masters of Music degree with an emphasis in Choral Conducting. While at UNO, I studied conducting and choral music under Dr. Z. Randall Stroope (retired-Oklahoma State University). On tour with the UNO Concert Choir, I was honored to conduct the ensemble in Germany and the Slovak Republic.

Most recently, I taught for seven years as Choir Director at Dubuque Senior High in Dubuque, Iowa. I am proud to have had vocal students selected for All State Choirs in Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, and Iowa. My research interests include persistence and participation in choral ensembles,  educating preservice music teachers, and verbal imagery and metaphors in music ensemble rehearsals. I enjoy spending time with my wife, Jealaine, an ELCA minister at Elvira Zion Lutheran Church near Clinton, IA. My favorite job is being Daddy to our 7-year-old daughter, Ellen Jean Christine.

(Photo by Rachel Barloon)

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