Nicki Davis is in her fourth year as the 5-12 band director at Wapsie Valley Schools where she teaches lessons and directs several concert bands, marching band, jazz band, and the pep band. She is a native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and holds a B.M. in music education (2010) and a Masters degree in music education (2012) from the University of Northern Iowa.
During her undergraduate career, she spent four years with the Panther Marching Band in the alto saxophone section and as drum major her junior and senior years. While completing her master’s coursework, she served as a Graduate Assistant and drill designer for the PMB, as well as G.A. for the Music Theory department. In addition, during her time at UNI, she directed the UNI Volleyball and UNI Basketball Pep Bands. Her master's degree research paper, "The effect of small group performance experience on Music Performance Anxiety during large group performances," received the 2nd place Outstanding Master's Degree Research Paper Award in 2013. Nicki also is in her third year of serving as the adjunct Assistant Director of the Panther Marching Band, where she writes the drill for the band, organizes band events, and assists with conducting rehearsals. She is also a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Sigma Alpha Iota, Kappa Delta Pi, and NAfME, and is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. She resides in Cedar Falls with her husband, Alek. |
Mrs. Palmer is excited to begin her third year teaching at Wapsie Valley as the 7-12 Vocal Music Director. Having grown up on a farm in NE Iowa, the corn fields that surround Wapsie Jr./Sr. High School make her feel right at home.
At Wapsie Valley, Sarah is responsible for the Junior High Choir, High School Choir, directing the fall Musical, and co-directing the Variety Show with band teacher Nicki Davis. She also created two new musical groups while at Wapsie. The WapsieTones is a singing group for any middle school who wishes to developed their skills as an independent vocal musician. Warrior Chorale is an auditioned, select group of high school students who wish to perform a more challenging repertoire of music. As a 2012 graduate of Luther College, she completed her B.A. in Music with an Education Minor. Mrs. Palmer was active in the Luther College Choirs and as a section leader for Collegiate Chorale her Junior and Senior year. She was also a member of the Luther Ringers Handbell Ensemble. As an active ensemble, quartet, and solo ringer, she performed at Regional and National Handbell Conventions and performed as a handbell soloist in Paris, France. Sarah recently married her husband, Aaron. The two reside in Denver, IA, with their cat Marx. |