President-Elect
Ellie Brockmueller
Ellie Brockmueller is in her eighth year of teaching in the Lennox School District, where she directs 6th grade band, junior high concert band and jazz band, as well as high school marching band. Her students have consistently performed well at parade, field, and jazz competitions. Since starting at Lennox, she has developed student ownership of the band program through leadership and mentorship opportunities. Ellie grew up in Mitchell SD, and graduated from Augustana University with a music education degree in 2017. She served on the SDMEA board running Middle School All-State Jazz Band in 2023-2025. Ellie is the 2022 recipient of the Dennis Hegg Young Director Award. In her free time, Mrs. Brockmueller loves to be outside running, hiking, or walking her dog Maya.
Elementary Festival Choir Chair-Elect
Kim Gaul
Kim Gaul is the K-4th grade music teacher at Dell Rapids School District. Mrs. Gaul received her Bachelors of Music Education from South Dakota State University & Masters in Educational Leadership from University of Sioux Falls. She has taught music in South Dakota for 22 years, the last 16 at Dell Rapids Elementary. In addition to teaching elementary music, Kim teaches private piano lessons and is the music coordinator at St. Mary Church in Dell Rapids: fulfilling the roles of choir director, accompanist & soloist. Outside of music, Mrs. Gaul is an avid runner, coaching track and cross country for Dell Rapids School District.
Outside of her professional life, Kim is married to Allen, who has been her greatest supporter in all her personal & professional goals. We have 2 sons- Levi-stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and Lukas-senior at St. Mary High School.
Ben Wahlstrom
Ben Wahlstrom was born and raised in Custer, South Dakota, where he grew up alongside his two older brothers, Clayton and Soren, and his younger sister, Josey. He is currently in his fourth year of teaching elementary music and teaches kindergarten through fourth grade music at Inspiration Elementary, which is part of the Brandon Valley School District. He enjoys helping students discover their love for music through singing, movement, playing instruments, and creativity, while also helping his students develop integrity and a strong work ethic.
Ben is a proud alumnus of South Dakota State University, graduating in the spring of 2022. He has served as the Festival Choir Chair for the Brandon site for the past two years and was honored to be the 2024 Middle School Festival Choir guest director for the changed voice choir in Sturgis.
Outside of teaching and music, Ben enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, kayaking, playing pickleball, and, of course, anything musical.
Orchestra Chair-Elect
Angela Larson
Angela Larson has taught orchestra in the Sioux Falls School District since 2009, and currently teaches at Edison Middle School and Laura Wilder Elementary. She also serves as an adjunct clarinet instructor at Augustana University, a position she has enjoyed since 2006. She grew up in Sioux Falls and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Augustana University, and a Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from Kent State University. She has performed with several local ensembles, including the South Dakota Symphony, White Spruce Chamber Players and Sioux Falls Municipal Band.
Middle School Festival Choir Chair
Lindsey Torgerson
Megan Voorhis
Megan Voorhis is a dedicated K–12 music educator with seven years of teaching experience in both instrumental and vocal music. She began her teaching career in Nebraska, where she spent five years as a K–12 instrumental and vocal music director, building comprehensive music programs and fostering student growth across grade levels.
In 2024, Megan returned to her home state of South Dakota and currently teaches K–12 vocal music at McCook Central School in Salem, SD, where she continues to develop a strong choral program and a positive, inclusive musical environment for students.
Megan graduated from Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, earning certification in PreK–12 Music Education. She furthered her education by earning a Master of Arts in Education with K–12 Music certification from the University of Nebraska–Kearney in December 2025.
In addition to her classroom teaching, Megan coaches color guard for marching band and directs middle school and high school musicals on alternating years. She is passionate about providing students with meaningful performance opportunities and helping them develop a lifelong appreciation for music.
