Michelle taught vocal music for twenty-three years in Iowa, retiring from teaching in 2019.  Michelle is a graduate of Trinity International University in Chicago, with a degree in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education. She began her teaching career in elementary music in West Des Moines from 1994-1995, and then was the vocal music director at Center Point-Urbana High School from 1995-2001.  From 2003-2019, Michelle was the Director of Vocal Music at Pella Community High School, where she directed the varsity and prep show choirs (AcaPella, Bravo and Dutch Divas), while also directing Advanced Choir, Select Choir, two Concert Choirs, the musicals, Chamber Choir and Madrigal Singers each year.  Under her direction, over sixty Pella students were selected for the Iowa All-State Chorus, and her show choirs won dozens of Grand Championships at competitions across Iowa, over one hundred caption awards, and were able to experience performance tours to Florida, New York City, Toronto and multiple performances on Caribbean cruises.  Michelle lives with her husband, Wes, and their goldendoodle, Ace, in Pella, where they have raised three children (Nathan, Noah and Courtney).  Since retiring from teaching in the school system, Michelle stays busy teaching private voice and piano lessons in her studio, serving as a clinician and judge for high school show choir competitions, working in a local women’s clothing boutique, organizing events for both the town of Pella & her church, serving as President on the board for the downtown Pella historic district merchants, and enjoying her new role as Mimi to her first grandchild, Emilia.  

Peter A. Eklund is the current President of the UNL Faculty Senate, was named a Hixson-Lied Endowment Professor of Music, was recently named one of the national quarter-finalists for the first-ever GRAMMY® NATIONAL MUSIC TEACHER OF THE YEAR (out of over 30,000 nominees) and was a national finalist for the NFHS Outstanding Music Educator in 2019. Just this past month, volunteers from three of seven University of Nebraska choirs combined to perform at the request of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies on the US Capitol west steps for the presidential inauguration. Eklund annually conducts instrumental and choral ensembles in no fewer than eight European countries and throughout North America. One of the most active and versatile international conductors today, Peter A. Eklund possesses a unique ability to work effectively with musicians at all levels of performing capability and experience. His curricular choirs have been invited to perform on 46 conventions/conferences of music educators and choral directors. He has conducted over two dozen All-State choirs, some on more than one occasion (South Dakota twice). Trained as a classical pianist and organist in the finest traditions of Western historical music, he now is also a strong advocate for ethnic, contemporary, and world music spanning all genres. His expertise in show choir includes directing high school choirs where they were awarded grand champion status over 95% of the time. He started the University contemporary choral ensemble, Big Red Singers, to provide a platform for students who enjoy the show choir environment and/or enjoy learning how to direct show ensembles at a high level. He frequently also directs high school All-State Show Choirs and just this past fall, directed the Illinois All-State Show Choir.

Drew Neneman, an Omaha native, and member of the SNJ Studio of Music since 2009, keeps an active private studio of over 40 students serving young adults from 14 districts in 2 states. An avid performer of classical and vernacular music, he keeps a full performance schedule as liturgist, pianist, soloist and songwriter.

Drew received his Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Students of his have received scholarships and honors to attend such prestigious musical institutions as Oklahoma City University, Florida State University, St. Olaf College, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, University of Minnesota, Kansas University, Luther College, Texas Christian University, Farleigh Dickinson University, Viterbo University, Millikin University and the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

While attending UNL, with guidance from Dr. Peter Eklund, Drew received a UCARE grant to complete an undergraduate research survey on vernacular music in secondary education. The survey focused on musical theatre and show choir, taking him around the Midwest as a collaborator, clinician and student among such great Music Educators as Jim Kimmel of Belmont University and Doran Johnson of Westside High School in Omaha, NE.

Seeking to promote excellence in singing and ingenuity of expression, Drew routinely works as a consultant, clinician and judge with choirs from Texas to South Dakota.

Dr. Andrew Last

Dr. Ryan Person

Dr. David Haas

Tom Hales

Dr. Brett Epperson

Bob Anderson

Jaclyn Krulik

David Fog

Nick McGraw

Cathy Britton

Ben Eklund

Melissa Eklund

Dalton Myatt

Drew Neneman

Ted Brimeyer

Adam Peters

Rosana Eckert

Dr. David Von Kampen

Dr. Jeremy Fox

Kim Nazarian

Greg Jasperse