Professional
My Bachelor's of Music degree is from The University of South Dakota. I student taught with the Yankton Public Schools in Yankton, SD. After my graduation from college in May of 1990, I taught in Viborg, SD for 27 years. August 2017, marked a new start for me. I joined the staff of Journey Elementary, part of the Harrisburg School district. I am super excited to specialize in one area of music education.
I believe in lifelong learning and I love being a student. In addition to music I am certified to teach computers and am endorsed by the National Federation of Coaching. I have coached Cheerleading, Cross Country and Track.
Viborg Music Department Evolution
When I started in Viborg I was the K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music Teacher. The second year they hired a JH Language Arts teacher with a music Minor, Beth Boyens. She taught two grade school General Music classes for me. She was a lifesaver.
The Fourth year 1994 they hired a half-time Instrumental Music teacher, Laura Snow. With the addition of another staff member we expanded our programs adding Swing Choir, and Jazz Band and taking more students to contest and honor ensembles. In the spring of 1995 we took our first big Music Department Trip to St. Loius.
In my 8th year we expanded the instrumental program to 3/4 time and I no longer taught any instrumental. In my 9th year (1998-1999) we expanded into two full time positions with the hiring of Derick Bluford. What progress the school district has made! We took our Second big Music Department trip in 1999 we went to Colorado Springs.
We have had several band directors since: Tim Dingman, Kira Moneke, Lisa Ketelhut, and Desiree Yeigh. We also traveled every 4 years including: a trip to Disney World in 2003, to Chicago in 2007, and Nashville in 2011 back to Chicago in 2015.
More changes to the department in 2012, the school disctrict consolidated with the Hurley district and with that the music department had changes too. We continued to have two full time music teachers (one vocal instructor - myself & one band instructor - Sonya Waltner. We both drove between Viborg and Hurley each day. Kindergarten - Fourth grades and High School are in Viborg and the Middle School grades 5-8 are in Hurley.
Yet more changes came in 2014-2015 school year. The Choir grew to 90 plus members, so a second rehearsal period was added, with that addition we needed to adjust the teaching assignents. The adminstration made the decision that I would stay in Viborg and teach k-4 elementary music, 2 periods of HS choir and HS Band.. The middle school music teacher will teach 5-8 voal and 5-8 instrumental.