Shofita Baych is in her 5th year of teaching beginning band students and her second year working in Lakeville. She will be the 5th grade band director at Eastview, Christina Huddleston, and Orchard Lake Elementary schools. Shofita has taught a wide array of musicians, ranging from beginning band students all the way through high school seniors. However, she has a special place in her heart for teaching beginners!

After graduating from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education, Shofita began her teaching career abroad. She taught band to 5th-12th grade students in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. After teaching in Bolivia for 2 years, Shofita moved to Duluth, MN where she taught middle school band. She worked in Duluth for a year before moving back to the Twin Cities and continuing her teaching career in Lakeville. She is currently working on her Masters of Music in Music Education through Concordia College Moorhead. 

Shofita is excited and committed to continue to grow the band program here in Lakeville. She believes that band is for everyone, and that every single student deserves the opportunity to join band. She believes in fostering a sense of community and belonging through music making. 

Outside of teaching, Shofita loves to perform. She currently is a substitute flute player for Minnesota Symphonic Winds and plays percussion in the Minnesota Valley Community Band. She has also performed with a variety of other high caliber ensembles, including the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Sierra, the Twin Ports Wind Orchestra, and was a substitute member of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. 

In her free time, Shofita loves to spend time with her 2 cats, visit local cafes, write music, go on neighborhood walks, attend concerts, and travel whenever she is able to. She has been to over 16 countries and is planning to continue to travel to more! 

Contact Shofita Baych:

shofita.baych@isd194.org 

EVE, CHE, OLE

Chris Gough is in his 9th year of teaching elementary band here in Lakeville. He is the 5th grade band teacher at Cherry View, Oak Hills, and Highview Elementary. Chris loves working with beginner musicians taking their first steps into the wonderful world of band! 

Chris started his teaching career up north in Crookston, MN. During his time in Crookston, he taught band in grades 5 through 12. Additionally, Chris instructed the marching band, jazz band, numerous solo/ensemble performances, and his students participated in honor bands all over the state. Students from Crookston participated in collegiate honor bands from the U of MN, UND, St. Olaf, and St. Thomas. His students also successfully auditioned for MBDA honor bands at all levels and the MMEA All-State Bands. 

Here in Lakeville, Chris has been committed increasing the enrollment of students in band. Not only that, but it is important to Chris and to the improvement of band as an activity that access be available to any one who wishes to participate. It is never too late to join and we welcome everyone. 

Outside of elementary teaching, Chris teaches marching band at Lakeville South High School during the summer and fall months. As a trombonist, Chris performs with the Minnesota Symphonic Winds, an adult concert band based in the Twin Cities. Prior performing ensembles include the University of North Dakota Trombone Choir and the U of MN - Crookston Concert Band and Jazz Band. Chris conducted the pit orchestra for the St. Anthony Community Theater's Production of 'Singing in the Rain' in 2013. In 2022 and again in 2024, Chris was a conductor/clinician for two of the Minnesota Band Directors Association 1st-year honor bands (NE and SE regions). 

Chris spends his free time playing basketball, pickleball, and disc golf, and loves jamming video games with his identical twin brother and friends. Chris and his wife recently welcomed their first child Charlie into the world (a future trombone player for sure). 

Contact Chris Gough:

christopher.gough@isd194.org

CVE, HVE, OHE

Jennifer Shea has been a part of ISD 194 since 1999 where she has been teaching middle school band at McGuire Middle School.  She is excited to be working with 5th grade students as she starts her 3rd year at the elementary level.  She is the band director at Lakeview Elementary, JFK Elementary, and Lake Marion Elementary. Ms. Shea has a passion for beginning musicians and can’t wait to open up the world of music to her students!  

After graduating from Luther College in Decorah, IA in 1996, Jennifer started her teaching career in Albert Lea, MN where she worked for 2 years with 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.  She then spent a year in West Saint Paul working with 5th through 8th graders before coming to Lakeville.  In addition to working with concert bands over the years, Ms. Shea has been the director of the McGuire Jazz Band and was also co-director for many of the McGuire musicals.  She has also taken a number of students to honor bands around the state and has been fortunate enough to travel with the Lakeville South band to Ireland in 2018.  

During her years in Lakeville, Ms. Shea has been committed to building a strong band program that gives students a sense of community and belonging while developing a strong foundation and love for music.  

Outside of teaching, Jennifer continues to be involved as a musician, and has been a member of the clarinet section with the Minnesota Symphonic Winds for 15 plus years.  She loves spending that time making music with other talented players and finds that she continues to learn things she uses with her own students.  

Away from teaching, Ms. Shea is mom to Nicholas (16) and Allison (13).  She loves to travel, spend time with her friends and family, and go out on the lake during the warmer weather.  

Contact Jennifer Shea:

jennifer.shea@isd194.org 

JFK, LME, LVE