Chris Storm currently is in his 25th year of teaching, the last seventeen of which have been as Director of Choral Activities and Piano at Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha, NE. After completing his Bachelor of Music Education degree at South Dakota State University, and his Masters of Music degree at the University of South Dakota, Mr. Storm taught junior high and high school vocal music in South Dakota and Iowa before moving to Nebraska.
Mr. Storm has been actively involved in the American Choral Director’s Association since 1996. In 2002, 2016, and 2024, he was a part of the North Central and Midwest-ACDA Conference planning committees. He recently finished a term as President of the Nebraska Choral Director's Association after serving as the Contemporary and Commercial Music Repertoire and Resources Chair, and as the District 2 East Representative. Mr. Storm has also been very involved in the National Association for Music Education since joining the SDSU Student chapter in the fall of 1996, eventually serving as that chapter’s vice president, and president. He recently served a term as the Nebraska Music Education Association Director of Choral Affairs. Mr. Storm has presided at state and regional conferences for both the ACDA and NAfME. He has also presented sessions for the annual University of South Dakota Collegiate NAfME Day, for the Nebraska Music Education Association, and for the 2008 National NAfME Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Choirs under Mr. Storm’s leadership have participated in extensive annual tours throughout the US and internationally. Using networked resources, these choirs have performed at some of the most amazing churches, basilicas, and cathedrals in the country world. His students have also had the opportunity to work with composers including Michael McGlynn, Judith Clurman, Moses Hogan, John Rutter, Tim Seelig, Z. Randall Stroope, Timothy Takach, Chris Maunu, and James Mulholland on several original and commissioned works.
For more information about the choirs at Skutt Catholic, please contact Mr. Storm at chrisstorm@skuttcatholic.com.
Beth Wagner is the collaborative pianist for the Vocal Music Department at Skutt Catholic High School. Mrs. Wagner is a 1991 South Dakota State University graduate, awarded both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music Education degrees. She found the perfect job blending her love of teaching, caring for her family, and playing church music. A South Dakota native, she and her husband Mark have five children and make their home in Omaha, NE.
Ben Eklund is a freelance choreographer based out of Omaha, Nebraska. He studied music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and he is currently the assistant director and choreographer of the University of Nebraska collegiate show choir, Big Red Singers. He has been around championship and competitive choirs of all types since long before he could even walk, much less dance. He choreographs and clinics for a number of schools in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Missouri. In the past, he was one of three nominated by F.A.M.E. for the “Best New Choreographer” Aspire award. The schools with which he has had the pleasure of working have earned multiple finals appearances, best vocals, best choreography, and Grand Champion honors.