Skip Sub Menu

Student & Faculty Accomplishments

Fall 2025

Students Represented at All-State Auditions:

Katelyn Stessman Studio:

Irene Lin – Johnston HS

Oliver Pearson – Grandview Christian HS

Lizzy Grove – Southeast Polk HS

Corbin Compton – Norwalk HS

Hunter Dixson – Norwalk HS

Dana Sloter Studio:

Lauren Randolph – Norwalk HS

Ethan Brinning – Indianola HS

Emily Gadger – Norwalk HS

Cynthia Giunta Studio:

Nora Yarushkin-9th grade - Valley Southwoods

Ava Williams – 9th grade - Urbandale HS

Students Accepted at All-State Auditions:

Katelyn Stessman Studio:

Gracelyn Lors – Alto Saxophone, Sophmore – Norwalk HS

Gracelyn Lors – Piano (Alternate), Sopphmore – Norwalk HS

Dana Sloter Studio:

Rylee Campbell – Clarinet – Norwalk HS

Kaelee Holter – Clarinet – Indianola HS

Camryn Johnson – Clarinet – Ankeny Centennial HS

Zane Wihlm – Clarinet – Norwalk H

Cherie Knight-Burnham Studio:

Eden Sedars - flute- Alternate

Katelyn Stessman Saxophone Studio Student Highlights

Congratulations to the following DUCSOM students for their recent accomplishments!

Middles & Music Honor Band: Gabby Leistikow & Oliver Pearson

Little Hawkeye Conference High School Honor Band: Hunter Dixon, Corbin Compton, Gracelyn Lors, Carter Ross, & Michael McClelland

Division I Rating at Solo Contest:

Middle School: Irene Lin & Oliver Pearson
High School: Lizzy Grove, Hunter Dixon, Gracelyn Lors, Carter Ross, & Madeline Meiners (flute)

Division I+ Rating at Solo Contest: Gabby Leistikow

Best of Center Awards:

Middle School: Gabby Leistikow
High School: Gracelyn Lors

SCIBA Honor Band:

Middle School: Irene Lin
High School: Hunter Dixon, Corbin Compton, Gracelyn Lors, Madeline Meiners (flute), & Michael McClelland

Drake University Honor Jazz Band Festival: Gracelyn Lors

Drake University Honor Band Festival: Michael McClelland

Katelyn Stessman Studio Graduates:

2024-2025:

Madeline Meiners - Iowa State University Music Program (flute & saxophone)
Michael McClelland - Drake University Music Program; 2025-2026; BA MUS (saxophone)
Carter Ross - Case Western Reserve University; Pre-Medicine & Music Minor

April 2025 Student Highlights

Congratulations to the following DUCSOM students for their recent accomplishments!

Charles Oneal - Student of Cynthia Giunta

Solo Festival - Southview Middle School
- Division I & Outstanding Solo
Large Group Soloist - "Homeward Bound"
The King's Singers
- Director chosen Honor Choir that accompanied The King's Singers.

Laila Collier - Division I in Voice Solo Ensemble; Student of Caitlyn Porter

Shar Lambert - Division I in Voice Solo Ensemble; Student of Caitlyn Porter

Summer Kinnan - Student of Cynthia Giunta

Perry Band Olympics
- Second in Flute Center & Division I

January 2025 Student Highlights

Congratulations to the following DUCSOM students for their recent accomplishments!

Middles & Music Honor Band 2025 (South Hamilton-Jewel, IA)

6th Grade Band: Gabby Leistikow - DeSoto Intermediate Middle School
7th/8th Grade Band: Oliver Pearson - Grand View Christian School

December 2024 Student Highlights

Congratulations to the following DUCSOM students for their recent accomplishments!

Cynthia Giunta Piano Studio:

Charles Oneal (Opus Honor Choir) - Selected from the Des Moines metro to perform with The King's Singers.

John Morgan Saxophone Studio:

Toby Chen - Selected as the tenor saxophone first chair for the Iowa All-State Concert Band.
Ben Buelow & Sajiv Kolli - Selected for the middle school SCIBA Honor Bands.

Iowa All-State 2024

Congratulations to the following DUCSOM students who auditioned and were selected for Iowa's All-State 2024!

Dr. Dana Sloter Clarinet Studio:

Brynn Fuller, contrabass clarinet (Southeast Polk High School)
Camryn Johnson, clarinet (Ankeny Centennial High School)
Marissa Pewe, clarinet (Johnston High School)

Cynthia Giunta Piano Studio:

9th grade piano student: Summer Kinnan, flute (Valley Southwoods Freshman High School)

From DUCSOM student to Drake University student!

We are thrilled to announce DUCSOM student Ruby Hummel, from Panora High School, has signed her letter of intent to attend Drake University as a music major. She is entering as a clarinet major and piano minor. She will begin classes in fall 2021. Welcome to Drake!

Ruby Hummel signing