Meet the Officers

Sam Bergan teaches K-6 Music at Cedar Heights and Aldrich Elementaries in Cedar Falls, IA. He is finishing his Master of Music Education degree from UNI and completed his Orff-Schulwerk Level III from UNL. Throughout his teaching, he aims to provide many musical opportunities for students in both the Orff approach and modern band methodologies. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his wife, one-year-old daughter, and two corgis. 

Andrew Scruggs, now in his 20th year as a music educator hails from Montana where he earned his BME in 2005 and taught k-12 music for 16 years before relocating with his wife who grew up in Cedar Falls. Now in his 4th year as K-5 music instructor at Kittrell Elementary School in Waterloo, Andrew loves teaching music, playing music, and composing and arranging. He also enjoys time outdoors hiking, skiing, and travelling with his wife and their 2 year old cockapoo. Andrew has been a part of First Iowa Orff since moving here in 2021 and was an active member of the Treasure State Orff Chapter for many years. Andrew also holds a MMA from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University, graduating class of 2014. 

Megan currently teaches K-2 general music in Independence. Previously she taught in Marshalltown, IA and Albuquerque, NM. Megan graduated in 2015 from UNI with a bachelor's degree in music education and in 2024 from Lakeland University with a master's degree in music education with a Kodály emphasis. In addition to being involved with First Iowa Orff, she enjoys singing in the Metropolitan Chorale.

Shantel Garland is a K-6 music educator at Dike-New Hartford Community School District. She received her Orff certification in 2016 at the University of St. Thomas and a Master in Education from Viterbo. Beyond Orff, she is active in mentoring college students, serves on various boards in the community, and is a proud wife and mother.

Jessica Dunnick has been attending FIO workshops since she was a Freshman in college! She teaches K-4 at Bowman Woods in the Linn-Mar Community School District and received her B.A. in Music Education from the UNI and her M.A. in Music Education / Orff from the Univ. of St. Thomas. She has completed all Orff Levels and Kodaly Level 1 and is a certified Movement Instructor to teach Orff Levels courses. Jessica loves to incorporate teaching styles from Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze into her teaching. She enjoys leading professional development in her district, at FIO, and at Coe College. 

Rebecca Sentman is a K-4 music teacher at the College Community School District in Cedar Rapids. She attended UNI for her undergraduate degree and Anderson University (Anderson, IN) for her graduate degree, which included completing her Orff levels. She has been a part of FIO since the beginning of her teaching career in 2009 and served previously as secretary and treasurer.

Beth Trulson teaches PK-6th grade general music at North Butler Elementary in Allison. Previously, she taught 5-12 band at North Butler, 7-12 band at Gladbrook-Reinbeck, and 6-8 band and HS choir at Belle Plaine. Beth received her Bachelor of Music Education from Coe College and is currently finishing her Master of Music Education at UNI. She completed all three of her Orff levels at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.