Vocal Music Staff
Wes Hansmeyer, Vocal Music Teacher
Extra Duty Assignments: High School Musical and 7th/8th Grade Musical
Degrees Held & Institution Received From: Bachelors of Music Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1996 and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Doane College in May of 2006.
Year you entered the teaching profession: 1996
Subject Area(s): 7th Grade Choir, 8th Grade Choir, Titanaires, Titan Chorale, Titan Singers, Titan Chorus, 68th Street Singers Show Choir, Titanaires Show Choir, and Gold Show Choir. I also co-direct an annual fall high school musical and spring 7th and 8th grade musical.
Home Town: Crete (Hallam), NE
Interests/Hobbies: I love being with my wife, Jane, and my two sons, Thomas and Marcus. I also enjoy substitue school bus driving, lawn work, movies, travel, baking, boating, and helping my father and brother on the farm when I have extra time.
Justin Eisenbeis, Vocal Music Teacher
Extra Duty Assignments: Tri-M Sponsor
Degrees Held & Institution Received From: Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and a Masters In Education: Curriculum and Instruction from Northwest Missouri State University In August of 2023.
Year you entered the teaching profession: 2021
Subject Area(s): 6th Grade Choir, 7th Grade Choir, 8th Grade Choir, Titan Chorale, Titan Singers, 68th Street Singers Show Choir, Titanaires Show Choir, and Gold Show Choir. I also assist with the annual fall high school musical and spring 7th and 8th-grade musical.
Home Town: Freeman, SD
Interests/Hobbies: As a casual fan of giraffes, I enjoy working in community theater, eating Raising Canes, and occasionally playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends.
Jill Elswick, HS Musical Co-Director, MS Musical Co-Director
Extra Duty Assignments:
Musical Director Co-Director, Drama Club Sponsor, High School PBIS Coordinator, and Middle School Musical Co-Director
Degrees Held & Institution Received From: Bachelor of Science, Spanish Secondary Education, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Subject Area: Spanish
Home Town: Firth, NE
Year you entered the teaching profession: 2007
Carey Helmink, Accompanist
Hometown: Cortland, NE
Degree: Bachelors in Choral Music; major instrument – piano
I have taught music in public and private schools but have spent most of my musical life working with church choirs, community choirs and as a private teacher. I am currently on staff part time at Lincoln Berean Church where I direct the middle school choir, the adult choir and Esprit de Corp which is a high school choir that tours in the summer. In addition to that, I give private piano/voice lessons. I have performed, taught, accompanied, and directed music for as long as I can remember. I obviously love music but I also love the more important aspect of what we do which is connecting with students and coming alongside them to help them become successful adults. I am married to Kyle Helmink. We are both Norris grads from long ago. 😊 I have 4 adult children (that are Norris grads) and 4 grandchildren.