Mission

Students in the state of Iowa have the opportunity to be a part of a show choir experience on a state-level. The opportunity focuses on the collaborative, communicative, and foundational music ideas involved in show choir. Master teachers and choreographers will share their passion for the art of show choir with the students selected through a comprehensive audition process. All forms of choral art need to be celebrated and highlighted for the next generation of music educators. Promotion of the art of show choir at the state level helps to illustrate the educational value in the extra-curricular or co-curricular music ensembles in Iowa high schools.

Katie Sullivan

All-State Show Choir Co-Chairperson, ICDA

Katie Sullivan is a vocal music educator from Waukee, IA. She teaches at Timberline School in Waukee, where she directs the 9th grade mixed choir and the 9th grade auditioned show choir, Inferno. Katie is also the Assistant Director of Spirit and Millennium, the 10-12 grade show choirs at Waukee High School. Sullivan also serves on the Timberline Instructional Leadership Team. Prior to teaching in Waukee, she spent three years in the Keokuk School District, where she was the Keokuk High School choir and show choir director.

Originally from Urbandale, Iowa, Katie received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Iowa State University in 2017. She will graduate with a Master of Music Education from University of Kansas in 2026.

Zach Howell

All-State Show Choir Co-Chairperson, ICDA

Zach Howell is the director of choral activities at North Polk High School. Prior to this, he served as the 6-8 director in the district. In this position, he directs concert choir, chamber choir, the high school show choir (Nexus) and assistant directs the middle school show choir (Revolution). He also serves as the district Fine Arts Content Team Lead and Mentor Teacher. He also is currently serving as the President of IMEA (Iowa Music Educators Association).

Originally from Davenport, IA, Zach received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Iowa State University in 2014. While at Iowa State, Zach was part of the Iowa State Singers, Opera Studio Productions, Studio Voice, as well as the Iowa State Marching Band for two seasons.

Before teaching at North Polk, Zach taught 7-12 vocal music, drama, and musical theater at Belmond-Klemme Jr./Sr. High School for five years. In that time, he expanded the show choir program, established new music history and theater performance classes for both middle and high school students.

Since being at North Polk, he has restarted both the middle and high school show choir programs in the past three years that have been inactive since around 2013 in the district. He has also increased numbers for the choral program over the past three years with significant growth and enrollment. This past fall, he started a show choir exploratory class for sixth-grade students to introduce them to show choir.

In addition to his duties in the district, Zach has served as an adjudicator or conductor with other local music and theater organizations across the state. Judge Story Theatrical Troupe, Crossroads Percussion, Des Moines Lincoln and Newton High School, IHSMA certified adjudicator. He has also been recognized as the 2024 South Central Outstanding Choral Educator by the Iowa Choral Directors Association.

Looking Ahead to 2026

We are excited to announce our clinicians for 2026!

Jen Randall

2026 Iowa All-State Show Choir Director

Jen Randall in her 23rd year as a choral music educator and school administrator. Randall is a graduate of the University of Nebraska where she was a founding member of Big Red Singers show choir.

From 2005 to 2016, Jen was a 6A choral director in Texas where she started four show choirs; including Central High School's "Voices of Central.” Summer of 2016, she relocated to South Dakota to take over “Friend de Coup” show choir and vocal music duties in Mitchell. 2019 saw a move back to Texas and the creation of Show Collective and choral directing duties at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake. With her company, she tours the country doing clinic/consulting work for show choirs and provides professional development for show choir professionals. Randall’s book, The Art of Competitive Show Choir was published by GIA Publications in June of 2020.

She and her husband Tim have two sons: Ben and Owen, and the four enjoy having family adventures in the Lone Star State and beyond.

Stephani Hyatt

2026 Iowa All-State Show Choir Choreographer

Steph Hyatt is a freelance choreographer originally from Ankeny, Iowa, now based out of Denver, Colorado. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studied Vocal Performance and Dance. Steph has over 15 years of experience in the industry, and has worked with over 30 ensembles across the country. She has helped many of the groups she works with receive recognition for Best Choreography. Steph highly values the artistic, educational, and inclusive elements of show choir. She continues to train in various styles of dance through classes in Denver and New York.

In 2016, she won the Fame Aspire Award for Best New Choreographer. She has also been a clinician at various summer music camps, including Show Choir Camps of America and the University of Nebraska- National Show Choir Camp. Steph is grateful for the chance to assist in the growth of each performer here!