My name is Kevin Shultz! I am currently in my 14th year of teaching and I am thrilled to be opening the Iowa Colony Choir Program! 

I was born and raised in the small southeast Pennsylvania town of Downingtown, roughly an hour outside of Philadelphia. At a young age, I was inspired by an elementary teacher, Mr. Vilbrandt. He gave me the time of day when no one else would, and it left a big impact on me. From that point forward, I wanted to provide to others what Mr. V provided me, a safe space to learn and feel accepted. I learned because I felt accepted. 

While in high school, I fell in love with singing. I began to make the connection, via Mr. McCloskey, between the security I felt in elementary school with Mr. V and the vulnerability required to make music. This was the classroom I would identify with for the rest of my life.

I attended Penn State University (We Are!) and graduated with a Bachelor's in Music Education. After college, I was ready to explore the nation and land somewhere warm. This led me to teach high school choir in Bakersfield, CA for three years. After, I left the dry warmth of Central Valley CA for the humid warmth of the Gulf Coast. I taught choir at Alvin High School for a year, before continuing to Manvel High School for six years. Although I loved being at Manvel, I was ready to...blaze my own trail. 

I performed professionally with Houston Cantare, a 24 member chamber ensemble. In the rest of my time, I enjoy watching football, playing video games, reading books, and working on the lawn. I am married to the lovely, kind, creative, empathic Leah Short.  We've been married going on six years. Together we have plenty of pets at home that keep us busy. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have, regarding the choir program. 

Here's to a great year! 

#BlazeTheTrail

I'm Austin Rabon! I am joining ICHS choir as the first associate director in our campus's history. I'm coming to the team from Pearland ISD where I taught for four years at Pearland Junior High West! Most recently, I took around 120 students from my choir to NYC to perform at Carnegie Hall!

I grew up in a family of musicians and teachers, with both my father being a HS choir director for 29 years and my mother being a choir director and piano/voice instructor for about the same amount of time. I often tell people that I didn't really choose choir...choir chose me! I'm happy to continue the tradition, and my brother is as well as he is also a HS choir director in Grapevine ISD.

I've been teaching Junior High choir for the past 6 years and I'm super excited to see what we can do at the high school!

I graduated from Baylor in 2019 with a degree in Choral Music Education and have been teaching since I graduated.

Most importantly, though, I live in Shadow Creek with the love of my life, Kristi Rabon, and we just celebrated our first anniversary. She is the support that keeps me going and I am so thankful to have her in my life.

Now, it's time for new adventures here at ICHS and it's going to be an incredible experience!

#BlazeTheTrail