About the Director

Jacob Ven Huizen is in his 5th year at West Lyon CSD. He is responsible for all choral activities in grades 7-12 and directs the High School Mixed and Treble Choirs, the Junior High Mixed Choir and the West Lyon Wildcat Jazz Choir. He is also co-director of the Fall Musical and the spring Junior High Musical. He prepares students and ensembles yearly for All-State Auditions, Honor Choirs, Solo/Ensemble Contest and Large Group Contest as well as assisting with the Speech program. A native of Sheldon, IA, he grew up surrounded by the strong musical culture of Northwest Iowa. He is a 2nd generation choral director and has a large background in classical and musical theatre genres. In addition to his duties at West Lyon, he also works part time as a freelance composer, writing commissioned works in several mediums including 2 works for IBA performances in 2016 and 2017. His music has been premiered in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Taiwan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Northwestern College and will graduate in 2023 with a Master of Music in Choral Conducting Degree from Simpson College in Indianola. He has studied conducting with Dr. Thomas Holm, Dr. Timothy McGarvey, Dr. Angela Holt, Dr. Matthew Oltman (Director Emeritus of Chanticleer), Dr. Philip Moody, Dr. Tim McMillin and Dr. Amy Voorhees.