Judging Panel 

Duane Philgreen

Duane Philgreen is recently retired after 34 years as a music educator, the last 26  years at West Delaware High School in Manchester, Iowa. Duane received his  Bachelor of Music degree from Drake University with additional course work at The  University of Iowa. He has served as president of the IHSMA Executive Committee  as well as Section 4 representative for the National Federation (NFHS) Music Advisory Committee. Duane has arranged music for many groups with several of his arrangements being sung at Regional ACDA Conventions. He has written numerous compositions for his choirs including the 2019 winner of the ICDA/IFA Choral Composition Competition. Duane was director of award winning show choirs at the 1A, 3A and 4A levels.

In retirement Duane keeps busy as a freelance accompanist, arranger and clinician with plenty of time being spent with his two grandsons and making toys in Grandpa’s Workshop.

Michelle Philgreen

Michelle Philgreen, from Manchester, Iowa is an accomplished singer, dancer, actress, & choreographer.  Michelle has studied dance, voice, and drama at the University of Iowa and in New York City.  She has traveled extensively performing at theme parks, on a cruise ship, and singing back up and opening shows for the late Tennessee Ernie Ford.  She has choreographed for show choir camps in both Iowa and Nebraska, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Celebration Iowa, numerous musicals and show choirs - many winning Best Choreography awards, and has been director and choreographer for Cedar Rapids Follies and Jim McDonough’s Holiday Grande Tours and Spring Tours.  Michelle recently retired from teaching dance after 45 years, and her newest adventure is her home bakery business – CinnaCakes, and spending time with her recently retired husband, Duane, and their really fun, extremely cute grandsons! ;)

Lindsey Norine

Lindsey Norine is a private vocal coach, choral clinician, and adjudicator based in Waukee, Iowa. She received her BA in Vocal Music from Drake University and has been teaching her private studio of singers for ten years. Her students frequently receive best soloist awards, Opus Honor and Iowa All-State choir selections, vocal scholarships at prestigious universities, and other accolades.

Lindsey’s background onstage touts many performances in musicals and operas. She has been lucky enough to travel the world singing—performing in China, England, Ireland, and Wales; as well as in Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, The Grand Ole’ Opry in Nashville, and the MainStage in Disney World (Orlando). 

An active member in the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Lindsey is passionate about promoting vocal health, proper technique, confidence, and using music as a tool to encourage personal growth and interpersonal connection. She enjoys serving as a judge for show choir and solo and ensemble contests, as well as a freelance clinician for show choirs across the state. Lindsey directed multiple show choirs at Des Moines Christian School prior to her proudest accomplishment—becoming “Mama” to Vera (6), Barrett (4), and Charlie (1).

Mike Esser received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He furthered his studies at the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, Northern Arizona University and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Mr. Esser retired after teaching 10 years in Iowa and 30 years at Central High School in La Crosse, WI. Recently, Mr. Esser retired again from working at a bank and he is currently working for the National Association of Educational Progress.

Mr. Esser's choirs were invited to perform at various college choral festivals in the Midwest, Iowa Public Television, State and Regional Music Educators Conventions, and State and Regional American Choral Director's Conventions. Over 70 of his CHS voice students were selected as finalists throughout the years at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Fall Competition and his soloists performed at regional vocal festivals. Mr. Esser served as Musical Director for several theatre productions at the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

Mr. Esser was the director of the Grand Central Station Show Choir for 28 years. Over three decades, GCS was selected Grand Champion in numerous competitions and was awarded several vocal, band, and choreography awards. Also, the select concert choir from Central received consistent 1st place awards in concert choir competitions held in the upper Midwest region.

Dr. Joshua Boggs

Dr. Joshua Boggs is in his seventh year leading collegiate choral programs across the US. He is the Director of Musical Arts at Grand View University in Des Moines, IA, where he directs the Grand View Choir and oversees music programs. He moved to Iowa in 2022 for a term position as Assistant Professor of Music at Grinnell College, where he directed the Grinnell Choirs. 

As a music director, he has directed musical theatre and opera, and has performed as a soloist in the US and abroad. He is also the Assistant Choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Des Moines. Josh earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame. He looks forward to seeing and hearing the hard work of the performers today!

Sydney McCoy

Jennifer Gaesser

Wendy Haight has taught elementary, middle and high school vocal music in Nebraska and Iowa for 40+ years. She is a native of Carlisle, Iowa and a graduate of the University of Iowa where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She began her teaching career in Norway, Iowa teaching K-12 vocal music. She then went to the Iowa City school district. After her husband’s law school graduation the family moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she taught in the Millard and Ralston School Districts for fourteen years. In 1997 the family returned to Iowa where she taught middle school and high school vocal music in the Johnston School District.

Wendy is an active clinician and adjudicator in the Midwest, including the 2004 ICDA 5/6 Opus Honor Choir and the 2008 Des Moines Middle School Choir Festival. Most importantly, Wendy is wife to husband Tim and they have three children: Emily, Molly, Dan and eight grandchildren.

Linda Vanderpool

Joel Foreman

Tim J. Mitchell is a retired 34-year veteran Iowa high school vocal music and musical theatre director, with his last position being at Union Community Schools(LaPorte City).  He has directed 40 full scale musicals at the high school, community and semi-professional level. Tim was also very active in the Iowa High School Speech Association where 32 of Union Community's 37 musical theatre entries under his co-guidance were named All-State, earning the Critic's Choice Banner 3 times. During his last 7 years at Union Community, the Annual Spring Musical was an active participant in the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards Program sponsored by Des Moines Performing Arts.  After their initial year, Union earned the top production award being invited to perform 6 straight times as part of the Iowa High School Musical theatre Awards Ceremony at the Des Moines Civic Center.. 

Tim is a 1987 Graduate of Luther College and a member of the Charles City High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame, Iowa High School Music Association Teacher Tenure Award Winner, the 2022/2023 NFHS Iowa Outstanding Theatre Educator and a recipient of the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards Impact Award. In retirement, Tim stays active as a judge for the Iowa High School Speech Association and the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards as well as an in demand clinician for musical theatre throughout the state.