Staff

We are so excited to offer a staff with a broad range of experiences that will give you a well rounded and varied approach to your process.

The teachers have a combined over 135 years of experience.

So check us out, we think you'll find your camp staff well prepared to handle your All State preparations.

KATIE KARDELL

SPENCER

Camp Coordinator

Katie Kardell is currently in her 20th year as the director of vocal music at Spencer High School where she directs all ensembles including the Chromatic Jazz and Pieces of Jazz as well as the fall musical and Large Group Speech - Musical Theatre. She studied voice and theatre at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance with an emphasis in theatre. Katie also holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University. She has kept busy over the years coaching many singers and actors from across Northwest Iowa. When she isn't working with the students of SHS, she can be found at Spencer Community Theatre as both a director and performer as well as producing for her co-owned creative company, CAIM Creative. Katie’s passion for the fine arts is evident in the countless hours she spends providing learning and performing opportunities to everyone she meets. Katie will also serve as the host of the Iowa Great Lakes All State Camp.

ABBY SHEPPARD

SIOUX CITY

Soprano Sectional Leader

Bio coming soon!!

BRENT PETERSON

WAUKEE

Large Group Rehearsal Director

Brent Peterson is a vocal music director in the Waukee Community School District. Now in his 30th year of teaching, he is currently at Timberline School where he directs all of the 8th grade ensembles and show choir EN FUEGO, assists with the 9th grade mixed chorus and show choir, gives voice lessons, and also assists with the other MS and HS show choirs in the district as needed.

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, IHSMA All-State Choir Lead Auditor, and speaker around the Midwest.

LUKE MILLER

SPIRIT LAKE

Camp Coordinator and Tenor Sectional Leader

Luke Miller is the Director of Choral Activities at Spirit Lake CSD in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Luke grew up in Ida Grove, Iowa, and later attended Iowa State University, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education.

Luke has taught and coached in the Armstrong-Ringsted, Ankeny, Okoboji, Ruthven-Ayrshire, Alta-Aurelia, Emmetsburg, and Spirit Lake school districts, where his ensembles have routinely received division I ratings at IHSMA music festivals. He has directed vocal jazz ensembles to 4th, 2nd, 2nd, and 1st place finishes in class 2A at the annual Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships. His show choirs routinely place near or at the top of their class, and usually qualify for finals. Most recently, the Spirit Lake Meistersingers, the top choral ensemble at Spirit Lake High School, was invited to take part in the 2019 Iowa Choral Showcase, a showcase of the top choral ensembles in the state.

In his free time, Luke is an avid outdoorsman, who loves to fish and hike. He loves spending time with his wife, Tiffany, and sons Max, 16, and Ian, 13.

ADAM ORBAN

ALGONA

Baritone Sectional Leader

Adam Orban is the 9-12 Vocal Music Director for the Algona Community School District. Mr. Orban first started his teaching career in Shenandoah CSD and then moved to the Sheldon CSD where he taught grades 7-12. Over the years, students under Mr. Orban’s direction have received numerous awards and accolades; including numerous all-staters, and several Outstanding Performances at the IHSMA solo/ensemble festival. Mr. Orban has been a guest clinician for multiple events and his conducting honors include directing the 9th Grade Mixed Opus Honor Choir in 2013. Mr. Orban is happily married to his wife and fellow music colleague, Jill, and they have four children together: Owen, Ethan, Natalie, and Isaac.

Staff Accompanist