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Mr. Duane Ites is in his sixth year of retirement from full time teaching after teaching 33 years of Middle School and High School Vocal Music. The last 21 years were at Spirit Lake High School in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Previously, he taught at South O’Brien High School and Jefferson-Scranton High School. While at Spirit Lake he directed 2 curricular choirs: the Mixed Chorus, a non-auditioned choir grades 9-12, and Meistersingers Choir, an auditioned choir grades 9-12. He also directed a drama musical every other year, and directed the Christmas portion of the Messiah with both curricular choirs and community singers. He led the show choir and vocal jazz ensembles. He also taught individual and group lessons at the high school. Over the years, the choirs consistently earned Division I “Superior” ratings at state contests and have scored very well at Invitational competitions annually in the Midwest and even in Florida every four years. Under his direction, the vocal jazz ensemble was invited to compete in the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships many of the years it has existed, including 5 out of his last 6 years as director. Mr. Ites was an adjunct professor of voice studio the last 6 years at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa. Duane Ites also has become an ICF -professional certified life, leadership and relationship coach since 2022. He has also been a mentor for beginning music educators through ICDA and IAAE. His BA is from Northwestern College. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of South Dakota.
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Duane Ites
