Peyton Bellman (Critique/Finals Visuals), born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, began his dance training in Philadelphia, PA at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. He obtained his B.F.A. in Dance and began instructing a variety of dance courses across the tristate area. Peyton also performed and trained with Creative Reaction Dance Company, eventually becoming their Assistant Director. Since moving to Las Vegas in 2022, some of his credits include the 64 th Annual Grammy Awards with J Balvin, Superbowl LVII Opening Night, “Awakening” at the Wynn, Cirque du Soleil x Simon Cowell’s “America’s Got Talent Superstars Live” at the Luxor, and Ralph Lauren. Additionally, he is on staff at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, Live Arts Institute, Theater Arts Preparatory School, and Prodigy Training Center. His choreography is presented across the nation for a multitude of competitive dance and show choir programs. Peyton thanks everyone for their continued support in his artistic journey!

Kate Burns (Vocals/Finals Vocals) is a singer, arranger, clinician, pianist, and performer based outside of Boston, MA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Wagner College and a Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University. Kate was the Choir Director at Natick High School from 2017-2024 where she founded and led the award-winning show choir, West Street Singers. Currently, Kate arranges for show choirs across the country and her voice can be heard on hundreds of choral practice tracks each season. She is a frequent judge at choral festivals as well as a sought-after vocal clinician.

Anita Cracauer (Vocals/Finals Vocals) started arranging music for her classmates when she was 16, as the accompanist for the show choir at Kennedy High School in Bloomington, MN.  A classically trained pianist who grew up with a love for pop music of all genres, she studied music education at the University of Minnesota School of Music and then returned to Kennedy as a choral director.  After three years of teaching and learning the high school voice, she decided to take the leap into full time freelance arranging.  Later, she began publishing her work by founding ShowChoirStock.com—the only music publisher dedicated exclusively to show choir.  For the past 25 years she has written for hundreds of choirs across the country, and is currently on staff at Burbank High School as composer/show designer for the nationally renowned groups "In Sync" and "Impressions".  In her spare time, Anita has stayed busy performing on keys for a number of bands in the Twin Cities, and currently plays with the rock band ELOUR.  She is married to her show choir sweetheart, for some reason hasn't yet moved to a warmer climate, and tries not to embarrass her two teenagers too much.

Mike Esser (Vocals/Finals Vocals) 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. In 2021, Mr. Esser retired after teaching 10 years in Iowa and 30 years at Central High School in La Crosse, WI. Now based in Des Moines, he worked part time at a bank and for the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Currently, he is thoroughly enjoying working as a vocal clinician/judge at various schools across Iowa and the Midwest. Also, he is serving as a mentor for first-year vocal teachers through the Iowa Alliance of Arts Education.

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.

Tyler Gruttemeyer (Critique/Finals Vocals) [he/him] is the Director of Choral Activities at South High School in the Omaha Public Schools district. He received his Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2013, and his Master's in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Teaching Applications from the University of Northern Colorado in the Winter of 2021.

At South High, Tyler co-directs the Concert Choir and Freshman Choir, Musical Theater Techniques, Voice Class, and The Ambassadors Show Choir, and assists the Treble Show Choir "Amplify". In the fall of 2016, he was the recipient of the Nebraska Music Educators Association's “Young Music Educator of the Year”.

Steph Hyatt (Visuals/Finals Visuals) is a freelance choreographer originally from Ankeny, Iowa, now based out of Denver, Colorado. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studied Vocal Performance and Dance. Steph has over 15 years of experience in the industry, and has worked with over 30 ensembles across the country. She has helped many of the groups she works with receive recognition for Best Choreography. Steph highly values the artistic, educational, and inclusive elements of show choir. She continues to train in various styles of dance through classes in Denver and New York.

In 2016, she won the Fame Aspire Award for Best New Choreographer. She has also been a clinician at various summer music camps, including Show Choir Camps of America and the University of Nebraska- National Show Choir Camp. Steph is grateful for the chance to assist in the growth of each performer here today!

Sam Mulligan (Visuals/Finals Visuals) is a Pop/R&B recording artist, songwriter, and musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from central Illinois, he graduated from Mt. Zion High School and is an alumni of the Swingsations. He also holds a Bachelors of Music in Commercial Vocal Performance with a minor in Music Business from Belmont University.

As an artist, Sam’s original catalog has accumulated over half a million streams across all platforms. He recently performed as a backup dancer for Megan Moroney and Lady Antebellum on the CMA Country Christmas special and has spent the last few years touring as a background dancer for country music artist Walker Hayes. Other notable performances include the College Football National Championship, the NBA All-Star Game Weekend, and recently recording background vocals for Disney’s newest 70th anniversary parade.

Sam is also a full-time freelance choreographer, clinician, and adjudicator, working with esteemed show choirs across the country. He continues to train in various dance styles with top choreographers and studios in Nashville and is grateful for the opportunity to work with so many incredible students and music educators through his love for music.

Brent Peterson (Critique) completed 33 years of directing choirs in Iowa, and retired in May of 2024 as a Vocal Music Director in the Waukee Community School District, most recently at Waukee Timberline.  In addition to his work with the choirs in Waukee, he was also a volleyball coach and track coach in the district, and was named the Iowa Association of Track Coaches Junior High Track Coach of the Year in 2015.  Brent was the conductor for the Bass Clef OPUS Honor Choir in 2006, and has also received the WOI Channel 5 “My Favorite Teacher” award.

Mr. P., as he is known at Waukee, graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1991 with a B.S. Ed. in Vocal Music Education.  In 1999 he completed a Master of Arts in Effective Teaching degree from Viterbo University, where he has also served as an adjunct professor. When not working with students at Waukee, Brent is an active guest director, show choir clinician and judge, accompanist,  IHSMA All-State Choir Lead Auditor, IAAE/ICDA Mentor, and speaker around the Midwest.  He is married to Anne Peterson, an Elementary Music Teacher at Eason Elementary in Waukee, and proud Dad to 17 year old Joel Peterson, a Senior at Waukee High School.  When not working, the family loves to travel to Florida, golf, and enjoy boating at their lake home on Sun Valley Lake.  In retirement, Brent hopes to do all of these things even more frequently, especially watching Joel’s senior year activities and judging/critiquing/accompanying ensembles around the state wherever he is invited!

Drake Van Roekel (Saturday Bands) is in his ninth year of teaching and second year serving as a band director at Waukee High School in Waukee, Iowa.  He previously taught four years as the 6-12 band director for the West Marshall Community School District and three years as the Director of Bands at Winterset High School  Mr. Van Roekel is the director of the Waukee High School Concert Band, Jazz One, Clarinet Choir, and co-directs the Waukee Warrior Regiment.

Bands under Mr. Van Roekel’s direction have consistently received Division I ratings at their respective Iowa High School Music Association contests. The Winterset Wind Ensemble was selected as the 3A Honor Band for the 2022 IBA Conference.  In addition to his responsibilities at Waukee, he is an active member of IBA, SCIBA, JEI, and serves as the SCIBA High School Honor Band Co-Chair and IBA Equipment Co-Chair.  Mr. Van Roekel is originally from Polk City, Iowa and graduated from North Polk High School in 2013.  Mr. Van Roekel graduated summa cum laude from Iowa State University with a Bachelors in Music Education in 2017.  In his free time, Mr. Van Roekel loves to spend time with his wife Laura and 2 year old daughter Selah, go outdoors, read, and enjoy music.

Justin Binek (Jazz Choir Clinician) is an internationally recognized jazz and classical singer, pianist, and clinician/adjudicator. Selected as a 2022 and 2023 Quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award, he is also an acclaimed arranger and composer. His jazz-inspired Missa Lucis (an ecumenical mass for soloists, choir, rhythm section, and horns that premiered at Carnegie Hall in June 2022) was selected as a finalist for the 2025 American Prize in Composition - Major Choral Works..  Justin is a co-author of the Third Edition of Richard J. Lawn's Experiencing Jazz textbook (Routledge Press) , and he is a contributing author to Diana Spradling’s groundbreaking book, Jazz Singing:  Developing Artistry and Authenticity and Katrien Van Opstal's Vocal Jazz Technique: The Mixing Table Model (both available from Anchor Music). Justin has presented numerous clinics and performed many times at the JEN, IAJE, IJVC, and ISME Conferences.  Justin has served as a member of the National Association for Music Education’s Council for Jazz Education, and also served on the boards of the Pennsylvania chapter of ACDA and the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education.

Tobi Crawford (Jazz Choir Clinician)  is a highly sought-after vocalist, pianist, arranger and educator from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Tobi attended the School For Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa, while under the direction of Phil Mattson, the Grammy award-winning arranger and pianist, and recorded two albums with his flagship group: VoicesIowa in 1995 and again in 2000. She then moved back to her native city of Vancouver, BC where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in jazz voice and piano performance with award-winning director, Réjean Marois. She then got her Bachelor’s Degree of Education in Secondary Music from Simon Fraser University. 

Tobi dedicated a decade to teaching at the high school level in Canada, where she instructed choirs, bands, and music theory. She later relocated to Shanghai, China, serving as the Fine Arts Department head and Director of Music at Sino-Canada High School for five years. Tobi also earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Voice Performance from the prestigious University of North Texas, where she worked as a teaching fellow. Among her responsibilities at UNT, she directed the Third Street vocal jazz ensemble and assisted with the Downbeat award-winning vocal ensemble, Jazz Singers.

Tobi previously directed and chaired BCMEA’s Honour Vocal Jazz Choir in BC, Canada and served as a guest clinician and lecturer in her province. In her home state of Iowa, Tobi has given workshops, lectures, co-directed the first säje Vocal Festival at Southwestern Community College and served as a judge for competitions such as the Iowa Jazz Championships. 

Tobi is currently the Director of Music at the School for Music Vocations, teaching Freshman and Sophomore Jazz Piano, Arranging, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Conducting, as well as directing the multiple Downbeat award-winning ensemble: First Take.