Questions?
We’re here to help you. Contact Sarah or Eric for additional information about Johnston Choirs.
Johnston Choir Directors
Sarah Van Waardhuizen
Sarah N. Van Waardhuizen is Director of Choral Activities at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa. Out of the seven choral ensembles at Johnston High School, she directs the Chamber Choir, Women’s Choir, co-directs the Women’s Concert Choir and Mixed Choir and directs the varsity show choir, Innovation. She oversees the All-State process, Madrigal Dinner and Showzam!, a Show Choir Competition held annually in January. She is also active on Johnston High School’s Professional Development team and Building Level Leadership Team. Van Waardhuizen is the past Repertoire and Standards Chair for Iowa Show Choir.
She is originally from Hudson, Iowa where she was under the direction of Ms. Nancy Allen. She proceeded to Drake University and worked with Leanne Freeman-Miller, Dr. Aimee Beckmann-Collier and Dr. Virginia Bennett. She just finished her second summer at KU, working on her master’s in choral pedagogy under the direction of Dr. James Daugherty and Dr. Debra Hedden.
“VW” is an avid Farrell’s member, enjoys scrapbooking, singing, playing the piano, camping, ISU football, playing outdoors and most of all loves spending time with her beautiful and energetic children Ella (3), Tyce (1) and her supportive husband, Shane.
Thank you for visiting Johnston Vocal Music's website. If you have any questions please email Mrs. VW at sarah.vw@johnston.k12.ia.us.
Eric Shepard
Eric J. Shepard is the Associate Director of Choral activities at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa. He directs the Concert Choir, Men’s Choir, Mixed Choir, both the Men's and Women's sections, and directs the Synergy Show Choir. He Directs the All-School Musical in the Spring.
He is an active member of theatre in Des Moines portraying Joseph, in the Des Moines Playhouse’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and many characters in Stage West’s production of Forbidden Broadway. His directing credits include Director, Meredith Wilson's; The Music Man, Music Director for the Des Moines Playhouse’s production Cinderella, Music Director for Right Brain Production's Caucus the Musical, Assistant Music Director and Orchestra Conductor for the Des Moines Playhouse’s Hairsrpray, Music Director for Ragtime- Theodore Roosevelt High School, Director of Brody Middle School’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr., Co-directing Copacabana & Cats Grand Island, NE. He also serves as part of the education staff at the Des Moines Playhouse.
He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor's degree in Music Education with an emphasis in vocal music and musical theatre. While at UNL he studied voice and musical theatre under the direction of Alisa Belflower. Mr. Shepard studied conducting under Dr. Peter A. Eklund, Dr. Rhonda Fuelberth, Dr. Therese Hibbard, Keith Curington. Mr. Shepard serves as a the Iowa Choral Directors Show Choir Repertoire and Standards Chair. He is professional member of both ACDA and MENC.
If you have any questions please email Mr. Shepard at Eric.shepard@johnston.k12.ia.us
