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Mr. John Gonzalez - Band/Choir Director

John Gonzalez is the Director of Bands and Choirs at Easton Valley CSD. He was born and raised in the Southside of Chicago, Illinois but currently lives in Preston, Iowa. He received his education at Western Illinois University earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, a minor in Jazz Studies, and an endorsement in English-Language Arts. During his time at WIU, he participated in and was section leader for every instrumental ensemble such as the Marching Leathernecks, Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Studio Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra. He studied trombone under John Mindeman (WIU), Dr. Mark Babbitt (Illinois State University), and Dr. Zsolt Szabo (Western Carolina University) as well as conducting under Dr. Matt Thomas and Dr. Mike Fansler (WIU). He has also studied jazz improvisation extensively under Dr. John Cooper, Dr. Michael Stryker, and John Vana (WIU). He has performed in many local and community choirs as well as the WIU Concert Choir. As a professional musician, John has performed throughout the Midwest and internationally in various ensembles including the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, South Suburban Jazz Orchestra (IL), Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, the Manny Lopez Big Band, and the Illiana Brass Quintet. Currently John is the 3rd trombone in The Julien Winds (Dubuque, IA) and will be performing with the wind ensemble at Carnegie Hall in New York City this upcoming June. In his free time John likes to play guitar, collect records and cds, go to live concerts, go camping, and travel. He is an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ms. Paula Blake - Elementary Choir

I grew up south of Elwood, IA on a farm with a family of 9 and graduated from Delwood schools. I now live in Miles, Iowa with my fiance Dan and my big dog, we enjoy motorcycle riding and hiking all the trails in this area. I graduated from Morningside College with a Music minor and transferred to UNI where I graduated with my K-8 teaching degree. I Substitute taught for many years and then went into management for years, I just recently came back to teaching and enjoy working in the music classroom again, which is truly my passion.

Ms. Stephania Sauer - Drama Director

I have two sons and enjoy living in the Preston area. I graduated from Mt. Mercy University in 2011 with a major in Speech Communications/Theater and Instructional Strategist I. I teach High School Special Education and coach the Speech teams, Direct plays and musicals, and work as the Thespian Sponsor. I have been teaching for seven years and this is also my 7th year coaching Speech and directing plays/musicals. I enjoy the theater and it is a passion to share the creative side with students.