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Our Staff

Our Staff

Kristen Stanton, Artistic/Executive Director

Kristen Stanton received her undergraduate degree from Monmouth College and a Master of Arts in Music Education from Brigham Young University. Previous to her position with Iowa Youth Chorus, she taught elementary and secondary vocal music in public and private schools in Utah, Massachusetts, and Newton, Iowa. Her teaching credits also include seven years as faculty in the music department of the College of Eastern Utah, where she taught preschool and elementary music methods, sight singing and ear training, music appreciation and history, group and private piano, and directed the vocal jazz ensemble.

In 1994 Kristen co-founded the Pro Musica Community Music School in Price, Utah. She acted as executive director and taught classes in preschool music, children's choir, and piano. Kristen has served many congregations as choir director and organist, most recently as Director of Music at Second Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa.

Kristen joined the IYC staff in 2000 as an accompanist and Associate Conductor. In 2005 she was appointed as Artistic/Executive Director and currently conducts the Children's Chorus, Chorale and Chamber Singers.


Jim Shutt, Director of Boy's Chorus

Jim Shutt received his undergraduate degree from Luther College and his Master of Arts in Effective Teaching from Viterbo University. In the summer of 2005 Jim attended the Comprehensive Musicianship Project and would like to encourage more choral directors to attend this workshop. Jim has been an active member of the Iowa Choral Director's Association and has served as 7th- 8th grade Opus Chair, hosted the SC-ICDA 5th-7th grade Youth Festival Honors Choirs and this year will host the 7th-8th grade treble and 7th-8th mixed Youth Festival Honor Choirs.

Jim has been teaching vocal music for twenty years. He is currently the vocal director in the Dallas Center-Grimes School District. He currently directs choirs in 6th, 7th and 8th grade, show choir ILLUSION, a spring musical, and gives voice lessons to all students in the middle school vocal program. Jim has taught at all levels (K-12) of vocal/choral music in schools, churches and private lessons. He has directed many different ensembles including handbells, brass, pit orchestra, and a STOMP ensemble. Jim is married and is the father of a daughter and son, who both participate in our choirs.


Jane Johnson, Outreach Director for the Newton Children’s Choir

Jane Johnson received her undergraduate degree in music education from Iowa State University and her Master of Arts in Effective Teaching degree from Viterbo College. She has been teaching music at various levels of public education for 34 years, most recently at the elementary level in Newton Iowa. She has directed church and community choirs and taught piano lessons at various times in her career. Jane is active in Iowa Choral Directors as an occasional workshop presenter as well as hosting the annual south central regional 5th/6th honor choir. Further training has been taken in Music Learning Theory, Kodaly and Orff Methods, World Drumming, and the Iowa Comprehensive Musicianship Project.

Jane is married to Gary with three grown sons and one adopted grand puppy named Dolce (yes, a VERY sweet white miniature Pomeranian). She is currently involved with IYC as the outreach director for the Newton Children’s Choir (named BETCHAW & Friends).


Joseph Tangen, Director for the Pella Children’s Choir

Joseph Tangen is an alum of Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree. At Wartburg, Tangen was a member of the Wartburg Choir, Ritterchor Men’s ensemble, and received the Outstanding Senior Award, which is presented to one student per department. He was also a NATS finalist as a soloist in 2000.

Since 2002, Joseph Tangen has been the Pella Middle School Vocal Music Director. In his position for Pella Community Schools, he directs the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth grade choirs, PELLAdrenaline (Middle School Show Choir), Boys Choir, Girls Choir, as well as provides vocal lessons for about 180 choral students per week. In the past, Tangen also instructed at the elementary level, working with pre-kindergarteners through third graders. In 2007, Tangen became full time at Pella Middle School in order to satisfy the growing choral program. The middle school choral program has grown from around 100 students to over 250 students over the span of five years. The growth of the program and change in curriculum was recognized in the 2007 November edition of The Sounding Board, which is distributed by the Iowa Choral Directors Association. Today the program consists of over 250 students involved in choral activities in grades 6th, 7th, and 8th.

In addition to the Pella Children’s Choir, Joseph directs the Adult Choir at Peace Lutheran Church in the community. Between 2004-2007, Tangen directed the First Lutheran Adult Choir in Newton Iowa. At home, Tangen offers private voice lessons. He is also an adjudicator for the Iowa High School Music Association. Personally, Joseph, his wife Bethany, and children, Thomas (3) and Tabetha (9 months), reside in Pella. Mr. Tangen enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with family.


Lois Harms, Accompanist

Lois is a graduate of the University of Iowa and holds a Master of Music degree from Drake University. She taught instrumental music in Mt. Vernon and Newton Public Schools and joined the staff of Iowa Youth Chorus in 1989. Lois has accompanied The Chorus at all International Music Festivals and international tours. Currently, Lois is an adjunct music instructor at Grand View College and serves as the organist for Central Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. A skilled clarinetist as well as keyboard artist, Lois is also a frequent recitalist as a member of the Stadler Wind Ensemble.