Meet the Directors

Laura Engels is a 2007 graduate of Drake University with her Bachelors in Music Education and a 2018 graduate of University of South Dakota with her Masters in Music Education. While serving as the Director of Choral Activities at Davenport West, she also enjoys serving as the district's Secondary Vocal Music CTT Guide, as well as her duties as a Model Teacher. Recently, Mrs. Engels was nominated for the QC Times "Teacher of the Year."

Choirs under Engels’ direction have performed for the Iowa Department of Defense as well as the Governor’s office, and have been the featured ensemble singing the National Anthem at state athletic events. Both her auditioned and non-auditioned choirs have consistently earned Division I (Superior) ratings at Large Group Contest, with her select ensembles frequently earning perfect scores. 

Engels is an active member of the Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA) and has served as the High School Awards Chair on the Executive Board. She has presented for ICDA’s Collegiate Chapters at various colleges and universities, ICDA’s Fall Symposium, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Collegiate Chapters. Engels has had the privilege to guest lecture for college music education classes, guest conduct junior high and high school honor choirs, adjudicate show choir competitions throughout the midwest, and adjudicate Solo/Small Ensemble Contest in the Des Moines Metro and Quad Cities areas.

Mrs. Engels enjoys the journey of parenting her three children, James (9), Catherine (7), and Drew (5), spending what time she can with her husband, and reading. 

We are excited to introduce Miss Emily Martyka as the new Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Davenport West High School.

Emily Martyka is a cum laude graduate of Cornell College with her Bachelors in Music Education. She is excited to be joining the music team as Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Davenport West High School where she will serve as a co-director for Harmonics prep show choir, Varsity Singers, Singers, and the annual musical

Martyka is an active member of the Iowa Choral Directors Association and has received multiple music accolades including the Martha Jane Tinder Edge Music Award, Laura Robert Sanderson Award and most recently the Hanawalt Vocal Music Prize. In furthering her education, Martyka has assumed directorship and leadership positions of various elementary, secondary and collegiate ensembles and musical theatre productions at both Lake Park High School in Roselle IL and Odyssey Theatre Productions in Mount Vernon Iowa. Martyka also earned the title at Cornell as Music Work Study Manager, Music Librarian, Cornell Acapella Director and Student College Choral Director.

Miss. Martyka enjoys musical theatre, performing vocal jazz and has hobbies such as baking, cars and collecting holiday sweaters.