About Mr. Fricks

Jared Fricks is excited about his ninth year teaching at Palmetto High School, his high school alma mater. Prior to teaching at Palmetto High, Jared taught chorus for three years at Palmetto Middle School. He is a product of Anderson District One schools and graduated from Palmetto High School in 2009. He attended Southern Wesleyan University, graduating summa cum laude in 2013 with a BA in Vocal Music Education. Jared is a member of the musical organizations: NAfME (National Association for Music Educators) and ACDA (American Choral Director's Association), and previously served as secretary for the SCACDA (South Carolina American Choral Director's Association) board. In 2019, Jared was selected as Teacher of the Year for Palmetto High School and District Teacher of the Year for Anderson School District One.

Jared has had many years of experience in choral music, musical theatre, and dance. Jared was a part of Southern Wesleyan’s elite vocal ensemble, University Singers, for four years.  He has been in several musicals including, Once Upon A Mattress (Dauntless), The Pirates of Penzance (Samuel), The Music Man (Oliver), and The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow). Jared also serves as music director for Palmetto High's Mustang Stage Company (Little Shop of Horrors, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Xanadu, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mamma Mia!, Bright Star, Grease). He also has a background in dance, specializing in hip-hop, and coached Palmetto's dance teams for six years. 

Jared currently lives in Belton, South Carolina with his husband, Mathew. He enjoys playing piano, playing Mario Kart, watching TV, sewing, and spending time with family and friends. He enjoys all types of music; however, R&B, Motown, soul, and disco are his favorites. His favorite musicians are Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, and Whitney Houston. His greatest musical influences are Stevie Wonder and his high school chorus teacher, Sue McKenzie-Chamberlin.