EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: 

Mary Anne Sims is an educator and musician with over twenty-five years experience in the classroom, including thirteen as a vocal music instructor in the Des Moines public schools. She received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Iowa and her Master of Arts in Music Education from the Ohio State University, where her thesis developed pedagogy for English language-learners  in the music classroom. While in pursuit of her Master’s degree, she sang and soloed in The Ohio State University’s Gospel Choir “Inspirational Voices,” and studied urban music education under Dr. Jan Edwards. She has taught at every grade level, with experience in urban, rural and suburban general music and choral programs, including leading the highly successful Des Moines Roosevelt Varsity Show Choir and receiving ten consecutive Highly Superior state ratings for her Women’s Ensemble.  She has also served as a mentor and consultant to programs across the country, working with Gospel and youth choirs of all ages.  She is a successful choral arranger, having written commissions for several schools in Iowa, as well as community organizations such as the World Food Prize, and is also an accomplished pianist and accompanist.  She serves as an adjudicator during show choir season, and loves to work with young performers.

TEACHING ARTISTS:

Sarah Jorgenson has been teaching voice both privately and in the collegiate setting for nearly 20 years. Before landing in Iowa, Sarah began her musical journey by graduating with a classical voice performance degree and extensive master’s pedagogy classes from the University of NE- Lincoln. She has won many vocal competitions including the Soli Deo Gloria Voice Competition and has been selected as the soprano soloist to perform with multiple orchestras including the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and the New York Symphonia. She can be heard on the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas album singing with Johnny Mathis. Deciding that musical theatre was an exciting change from the classical voice and opera she had studied for so long, she moved to NYC. Sarah has performed lead roles in numerous operas and theaters regionally. As an equity actor in NYC, Sarah had the pleasure of joining performers such as John Groff and Michael Zygo in raising money and awareness by performing with Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS. After stopping in Des Moines while en route to Chicago for an audition, Sarah met her husband and decided to plant her roots permanently in Iowa. She is the founding director of Rising Stars Show Choir 4 Kids, a non-audition fully inclusive choir for children of all ages and abilities. She is now a professional blogger for the local chapter of the City Moms Blog group and often blogs about the most favorite role she’s ever had: being a mama to four amazing kiddos who keep her on her toes every minute of every day.

Brandon Record, voice and piano teacher, is a Tenor originally from Gillette, Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Sioux Falls and holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education and minors in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy and is currently working on a masters degree from Drake University. When not teaching at City Voices, Brandon is the Director of Choirs and Department Head at Lincoln High School as well as being a Music Director and Stage Manager at the Des Moines Playhouse, and director of the Des Moines Diversity Chorus. Brandon has sung and conducted nationally and internationally as a soloist and with choirs all over the world. As well as singing choral music and as a soloist, Brandon has performed and directed many stage productions. His most recent acting performances include Into the Woods (Baker), Godspell (Nick/Brandon), Much Ado About Nothing (Antonio), Bye Bye Birdie (Harry MacAfee) and Shrek (Shrek). His most recent directing credits include Pippi Longstocking (Music Director), The Show Must Go On (Music Director and Assistant Director), Hairspray (Music Director), Matilda (Music Director), Nunsense (Music Director and Stage Manager), Peter and the Starcatcher (Music Director), and Plaza Suite (Stage Manager)

Chris Powell, keyboard and voice teacher, is a multi-talented performer who can be found in many corners of the Midwest every year, from a solo set at Covered Bridge Fest in Winterset, IA to leading a 13-piece band at the Four Seasons in downtown Chicago. Chris is also passionate about making the pastime of playing music more accessible, having educated more than 1,000 students in classes, lessons and workshops across the country since 2008. Raised in Iowa, Chris graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, and earned degrees from the School of Music Vocations (SWCC) and the University of Northern Iowa.

Kailey Gering, voice and keyboard teacher, is excited to join the teaching artists at City Voices! She is originally from Madison, WI but has lived in Des Moines for a few years now. She graduated from Luther College and holds a major in Music with certification. She has sung in many choirs, including the Nordic Choir at Luther College and the Vocal Arts Ensemble here in Des Moines. Throughout her choir experience, she has toured around the country as well as internationally. In addition to singing in choirs and as a soloist, she has taught piano and voice lessons to a wide variety of learners through the Luther College Music School, as well as independently. Kailey teaches middle school vocal and general music at McCombs Middle School in Des Moines.

Toné Cherè, received her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Drake University in 2023 where she played Maxine in Harrison, Blues Speak Woman in Spunk, and Catherine in The Theory of Relativity. At The Playhouse, Toné has  performed as Nana in Last Stop on Market Street, Ensemble in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and choreographed Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical and Beaufield Berry’s Buffalo Women. She also appeared as Dee in The Black Feminist Guide to the Human Body with Pyramid Theatre Company, as well as Bring It On with Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre. She is a proud product of DMPS, graduating from East High School in 2019; while there, she was also a student at City Voices. Currently she is a voices lesson teacher at City Voices and the Summer Administrative Studio Manager.

Mayte Gomez-Cruz, voice teacher, is a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) and a new Teaching Artist at City Voices! A member of the inaugural class of City Voices students in 2013, Mayte grew her love for music and performance at Des Moines North High School before going on to pursue a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Music Therapy at The University of Iowa. Upon graduation, Mayte presented her honors recital celebrating music in Spanish and Hispanic composers (featuring a student mariachi group!) as well as a senior project presentation on Family- and Community-Centered Care in Pediatric Music Therapy. Mayte established her career as a music therapist at a children’s hospital in Chicago, working with patients and families of all ages to support coping, reduce potential medical trauma, and aid in pain management. Now back in Des Moines, Mayte works as a music teacher for Music Class for Tots as well as a professional Spanish-English interpreter in early education and medical settings.

BOARD MEMBERS

Mary Anne Sims, Executive Director, President

Napoleon Douglas,  is an International Actor, Teaching Artist, Entrepreneur and frequent guest artist at City Voices.  He received a BA in Theatre Arts from Drake University, and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. The Roosevelt High School Alumnus (’10) has been very involved in the Des Moines Area Arts Community throughout the years. While at Drake, Napoleon studied with Leanne Freeman-Miller and Christine Fortner-Blanner and worked under the direction of Aimee Beckmann-Collier in the prestigious Drake and Chamber Choirs. Since graduation he has worked extensively in Stage Theatre, Film, Voice Over and Dance. Theatre (selected): International: Festival of the Lion King, Hong Kong Disneyland (Simba). National: Mr. Holland’s Opus (Louie, Dance Captain, World Premiere, Ogunquit Playhouse), BRUCE (Joe Alves & Carl Gottlieb Cover, World Premiere, Seattle Repertory), Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas, Arvada Center), Dreamgirls (2018 Ostrander Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Jimmy Early, Memphis Playhouse on the Square), Five Guys Named Moe (NoMax, Westchester Broadway), as well as leading and supporting roles in Hairspray, Sister Act, Superior Donuts, A Christmas Carol, Miss Saigon, Romeo & Juliet, White Christmas. TV/Film (selected): Wu-Tang: An American Saga (costar, Hulu), Oscar Micheaux (Cannes Short Selection, Urban Film BET Short Premiere Selection, 2018). Educationally, Napoleon has worked as a Director, Music Director, Choreographer, Studio Voice Instructor and Teaching Artist for theatres and organizations across the U.S., including Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Summer Conservatory at Memphis Playhouse on the Square, and The Academy at Midtown Arts Center. Institutionally, Napoleon serves as a Board Member & Artist-In-Residence for City Voices, and is a Board Member of “Sing For Your Seniors” (singforyourseniors.org). Napoleon is also a former member of the renowned Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps, who performed for both Inauguration Parades for President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden, and was the national representative for the Des Moines chapter of the NAACP at the ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural and Technological Olympics) in Vocal Music: Classical, Oratory and Dance. He is a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the Actors Equity Association.

Ryan Williamson is Associate Principal at North High School in Des Moines, IA. Prior to that, he was the Coordinator of Equity and Inclusion for the Urbandale Community  School District in Urbandale, IA. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master’s degree from Drake University. He has completed his coursework and is currently finishing his dissertation in pursuit of a Doctorate in Education from Iowa State University. He has worked for over fifteen years with at-risk students in the areas of career exploration, graduation requirements, college admission, scholarships and social services. He has a special interest and strong background in African-American achievement, and has done scholarly research in this area. He was named the 2013 High School Counselor of the Year by the Iowa Association for College Admission Counseling. He has been an active participant in and proponent of extra-curricular activities, including a competitive men’s dance team, and he is a member of the singing group “Faculty Lounge.” Board member since 2013. Ryan.williamson@dmschools.org. 515-242-7212.

Anita Micich is an Assistant Professor of Practice and Co-Lead for the Education Doctorate Program in the School of Education at Iowa State University. She joined the ISU faculty in 2017. Dr. Micich supervises the field experiences of aspiring elementary and secondary principals and teaches courses in the areas of instructional and change leadership, student achievement, diverse learners, organizational management, continuous school improvement and culture and climate. Dr. Micich holds a Masters Degree in Special Education from Drake University and received her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, School Administration from Vanderbilt University. She was a teacher and director of music prior to assuming administrative responsibilities including: serving in the Des Moines School District as Principal at Smouse Special School, Principal at Roosevelt High School and Director of Secondary Alternative Education, Vincent Scavo Campus. Most recently she was the Superintendent of Schools for the Mason City School District for eight years and for the last 6 of those years additionally served as superintendent for the Clear Lake School District. Board member since 2019. amicich@iastate.edu. 515-314-6549.

Lori Glawe is an associate in the West Des Moines Public Schools, working with at-risk junior high students. Prior to that, she was a math instructor in the Des Moines Alternative Program, serving middle school students, a program serving at-risk students in the Des Moines Public Schools. Prior to that, she taught at Des Moines Roosevelt High School for 26 years; 7 years as a math teacher, and 19 as the Theater Director, which was widely recognized as one of the best programs in the state. During her tenure, Roosevelt Thespians were awarded numerous accolades, with multiple nominations for the Des Moines Performing Arts Triple Threat Award, including the 2016 winner; they also were the only school in the state to qualify for inclusion in the year-ending Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase. She is a member of the Educational Theatre Association, and was inducted into the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame in 2009. Board member since 2015. Loriglawe64@gmail.com. 515-554-9491.