2026 Judges and Clinicians.
JAZZ BANDS
BLAKE SHAW
Blake is a dbl/elec bass player, vocalist, band leader, composer/arranger, private lessons teacher and jazz Professor at Mt Mercy University
CHRIS MERZ
Professor of Music, Chris has served as Director of Jazz Studies and Director of the award-winning UNI Jazz Band One at the University of Northern Iowa.
CHRIS STROHMAIER
Mr. Chris Strohmaier is the founding director of the Waukee Northwest High School band program, where he directs the Northwest Wind Symphony, the Northwest Jazz Orchestra, and coaches numerous chamber ensembles. Mr. Strohmaier is a past-president of the Iowa Bandmasters Association and the South-Central district of IBA and is currently the president of Jazz Educators of Iowa.
JAZZ CHOIRS