Laura Engels, Panel & High School Finals Judge
Laura Engels is a graduate of Drake University with a Bachelors in Music Education, and the University of South Dakota with a Masters in Music Education, where she also graduated with honors. She is in her seventh year as Director of Choral Activities at Davenport West High School. Choirs under Engels’ direction have performed for the Iowa Department of Defense as well as special events at the Governor’s Office. Engels’ choirs have also been the featured ensemble singing the National Anthem at state athletic events. Jazz Choirs and Show Choirs under Engels’ direction have maintained a high level of excellence.
Engels is an active member of the Iowa Choral Directors Association and has served as the High School Awards Chair on the Executive Board. She has presented for ICDA’s Collegiate Chapters, ICDA’s Fall Symposium, and the National Association for Music Education Collegiate Chapters. Engels has had the privilege to guest lecture for area college music education classes, guest conduct junior high and high school honor choirs, adjudicate show choir competitions in the Midwest, and adjudicate Solo/Small Ensemble Contests in Iowa.
Mrs. Engels enjoys the journey of parenting her three children, James, Catherine, and Drew, spending what time she can with her husband, and reading.
Peter Westphalen, Panel & High School Finals Judge
Peter Westphalen has taught choral music in public schools for 34 years. Most recently he taught at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, his alma mater, where he directed Momentum, Madrigal Singers and Concert Choir and served as department chair. Prior to teaching at Washington, Mr. Westphalen spent 13 years as the Director of Choirs at Prairie High School and has also taught at City High School, Mt. Pleasant High School and West Branch High School before retiring at the end of the 2024 school year.
Mr. Westphalen’s show choirs have achieved great success qualifying for finals in every competition for 18 consecutive years including three finals appearances at Show Choir Nationals. His top concert choirs have received Division I ratings at State Large Group contest for 33 consecutive years.
Mr. Westphalen’s pride and joy is his family. His lovely wife, Dr. Melinda Westphalen, is on the piano faculty at Grinnell College, Coe College and Mt. Mercy University. They have three children: Jonah and twins Emma and Mara, who also graduated from Washington High School.
Gerald Kreitzer, Panel & High School Finals Judge
Dr. Kreitzer is Director of Music Activities at Mount Mercy University, and Artistic Director of the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale. He earned his D.M.A. in Choral Conducting at the University of Iowa, his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Masters in Music degrees from the University of South Dakota. He is the 2016 recipient of the IHSMA National Federation Outstanding Music Educator State Award, the 2017 recipient of the National Federation Outstanding Music Educator Section IV, and the 2018 recipient of the National Citation of the National Federation.
Dr. Kreitzer spent 22 years as Director of Choral Music at George Washington High School. He also previously served on the faculty at the University of South Dakota and University of Northern Iowa.
Dr. Kreitzer is a Past President of the Iowa Music Educators Association. Among many musical involvements, Dr. Kreitzer was the Musical Director of the Metropolitan Chorale in Cedar Falls/Waterloo and Musical Director of the Black Hills Playhouse. He is the Chorus Master for Cedar Rapids Opera Theater productions.
Kelsey Legore, Critique & High School Finals Judge
Kelsey Legore is an educator, conductor, and performer based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After leading choirs and show choirs in the public schools for eight years, she pivoted to an eclectic and fulfilling stream of work blending her passions for music, yoga, and fostering human connection. Her teaching is informed by degrees from Luther College (BA- Music Ed) and Simpson College (MM- Choral Conducting), training in youth/teen yoga pedagogy, coursework in culturally responsive teaching, and her own experiences with meditation, breathwork, and mindfulness.
Recent professional projects have included an adjunct professorship in music education at the University of Northern Iowa, freelance music directing at Theatre Cedar Rapids, supervising student teachers for Luther College, adjudicating IHSMA events, and singing/guest conducting with Vocal Artists of Iowa.
She also enjoys working with singers and pianists in private lessons. In 2025, Kelsey will launch kelseylegore.com and IG @kelseylegore, devoted to embodiment and mindfulness in arts education. Kelsey’s favorite role is being a mom to two incredible kiddos, Simon and Jude. She is grateful to be supported by her best friend and partner, Ben.
Grant Luther, Critique & High School Finals Judge
Grant Luther is a freelance choreographer based out of Des Moines, IA. His show choir groups have garnered multiple awards including Grand Champion and Best Choreography, as well as multiple top 5 finishes. His work beyond the show choir stage ranges from professional theatre productions to national TV specials.
A graduate of Iowa State University, Grant holds multiple degrees in Music and Marketing. He was also the founder and director of the first ever Iowa State Alumni Choir. At Iowa State, Grant studied under associate professor of music, Mary Creswell, director of choral activities, Dr. James Rodde, and internationally acclaimed opera singer, Simon Estes.
Grant founded the Music in Motion Show Choir Camps. Currently in their 10th year of existence, the camps offer fundamental show choir skills for children grades K-9.
Grant is no stranger to the stage. As an avid performer, Grant has been involved in multiple productions. Grant was also a proud performer and manager of the professional a cappella group, Shy of a Dozen, which under his direction has performed around the state of Iowa, the Midwest, and was featured on PBS’ DooWop Generations. Grant has also performed for multiple years with the Des Moines Choral Society.
Matthew Nicholson, Band Judge
Matthew Nicholson is in his second year as the Associate Director of Bands at Jefferson High School. He is responsible for assisting the Band of Blue, conducting the Symphonic Band and Beginning Band, directing the Jazz Ensemble, directing the Show Band, and providing daily lessons.
Mr. Nicholson holds BA, BM, and MA degrees from the University of Iowa and currently resides in Cedar Rapids.
When he is not at Jefferson, Mr. Nicholson enjoys watching every Hawkeye sport, Formula 1 Racing, and spending quality time with his family. He is a true Hawkeye fan and bleeds blue for the J-Hawks.
Stephanie Michalicek, Solo Competition Judge
Stephanie Michalicek, dramatic soprano, holds a Master’s in Music (vocal performance) from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Bachelor’s in Music (vocal performance) from Lawrence University.
Under the tutelage of Dr. Karen Leigh-Post (a pioneer in the application of cognitive neuroscience in the voice studio), she fell in love with teaching and has held a private studio since 2012, championing vocal techniques through the cognitive and kinesthetic relationship.
Working with professional opera companies since 2004 and advancing her language and voice studies in Montpellier (France) and Florence (Italy) has given her the opportunity to collaborate with the following world-renowned teachers, coaches, and directors: Gregory Keller (Metropolitan Opera), Robert Morrison (Metropolitan Opera), Jane Klaviter (Metropolitan Opera), Patricia Misslin (instructor of Renee Fleming and Stephanie Blithe), and Dale Duesing (internationally acclaimed baritone). Currently, Stephanie is a Voice Instructor at Mount Mercy University and Coe College, where she also teaches vocal pedagogy and diction courses.