2024 Election Bios

President-Elect

Kim Bogart

Kimberly Bogart is orchestra director at Whittier Middle School, Laura B Anderson Elementary, and Terry Redlin Elementary in Sioux Falls, where she leads 4th through 8th grade students on the journey of learning how to play string instruments and how to love and appreciate all types of music.

Kimberly was born and raised in Fargo, ND.  She holds a Master of Music degree in horn performance with a cognate study in wind ensemble conducting from Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. In addition to her work as an orchestra director, Kimberly is an adjunct instructor of horn at the University of Sioux Falls and  has a private studio of young horn musicians.  Before moving to Sioux Falls, Kimberly taught 5th-12th grade band in Minnesota.

 Kimberly is a member of the American String Teachers Association, the National Association for Music education, and the International Horn Society. She currently serves on the South Dakota Music Education Association board as the Orchestra Chair and has previously served as Awards Chair and organizer of the high school All State Chorus and Orchestra t-shirts. She is a co-founder of the All-City Honor Orchestra in Sioux Falls, has served on the South Dakota Symphony Youth Orchestra board, and enjoys working as an adjudicator and clinician for contests and conferences. In addition to her work as an educator, Kimberly continues to maintain an active performing career, performing with regional symphony orchestras, wind ensembles, and chamber groups.

Kimberly is married to Shawn Bogart, has 2 wonderful boys, Benjamin and Oliver, one spoiled terrier mix named Rita, and a cat named Zelda. She would delight in the opportunity to serve on the board of the South Dakota Music Education Association in the role of President-Elect, as it would be an honor to work with music educators from around our great state to organize high quality professional development for our teachers and stellar performance opportunities and experiences for our students. She will be a dynamic advocate for music education in our state!

Kris Dunlap

Kristen Dunlap is in her 20th year of teaching, the last 12 years of which have been at Canton working with the Middle and High school bands.  From 2018-2021, Kris served as the Middle School Band Chair and chair-elect for SDMEA where she helped to facilitate and organize the Middle School All-State Band event.   Kris is also in her second year as a mentor teacher for the state mentoring program.  

Kris earned her Bachelors degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA and a Masters degree in Instrumental Conducting from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. Her professional affiliations include: NAfME, SDMEA, SD Bandmasters, Phi Beta Mu, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.

Kris' family consists of her endlessly supportive husband, Josiah and their three children, Will (13), Drew (10) and Lucy (8).  

Orchestra Chair-Elect

Dalton Peterson

My name is Dalton Petersen. I teach beginning orchestra and high school orchestra in Watertown, South Dakota and have been here for three years now. I studied double bass at Augustana University in Sioux Falls and am currently finishing a master's degree at Northern State University in Music Education. I perform in jazz, funk, and rock groups around the state. I also regularly perform with the South Dakota State University's symphonic orchestra and Northern State University's Civic Symphony. 

Andrew Tavers

"Andrew Travers grew up in Sioux Falls and began studying music in the fifth grade following a performance of Jaws by a visiting orchestra recruiter. What followed, with the help of lessons, camps, and competitions, was a growing love of music, performing and teaching.

After a magical summer attending the Interlochen Arts Camp and auditioning into the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, he attended college at the University of Connecticut and studied cello performance with Mary Lou Rylands. After graduation he moved to Las Vegas, where he taught privately and in the Clark County School District, and played with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and in The Lion King at the MGM Grand. Also during his time in Las Vegas, Andrew invested himself supporting Viola Fest and Bass Workshop, creating and running Cello Day, and teaching in the string program FAYM. Mr. Travers was recognized by Nevada ASTA as an 2006 Emerging String Teacher of the Year.

In 2010, he returned home to Sioux Falls with his wife, Maria, who teaches Yoga, teaches and dances Ballet with LiRa Dance Company, and creates art. Maria and Andrew have two wonderful boys: Liam born in 2008 back in Las Vegas and Lysander, born in 2013 in Sioux Falls.  Andrew teaches private cello students, and orchestra at Sioux Falls schools:  Ben Reifel Middle School, and Harvey Dunn and Rosa Parks Elementary Schools. He is also a section cellist in the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, their President of the SCSO Players Committee, and an occasional section cello sub for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.

Andrew has received his Suzuki training thus far at the Music Institute of Chicago at the Chicago Suzuki Institute in 2015 with Barbara Wampner for Book 1 following Every Child Can!; in 2016 again with Barbara Wampner for Books 2 and 3; in 2018 with Pamela Devenport for Books 4 and 5; and in 2021 with Shu-Yi Scott for Books 6 and 7 via Zoom. Mr. Travers also earned his Level One Endorsement in Rolland String Pedagogy Summer 2021.

Last summer (2023) Mr. Travers directed the second year of Summer Youth Orchestra Camp in the Sioux Falls Community through Community Education in the SFSD. This 6-week summer program serves over 120 students from 4th grade through 12th grade. Andrew is also serving as President of the South Dakota Chapter of the American String Teachers Association for the 2024 - 2026 term."

Tammy Richards

Tammy Richards is the 4th-12th Grade Orchestra Director for RCCSS in Rapid City. She is a native of Albert Lea, MN and attended the University of South Dakota, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. She currently has 6 different ensembles involving 74 students. This is her 4th year in her current position. Her goal in music education  is to foster a love for music  in her students that will last a lifetime. She believes that music and the performing arts are an essential part to creating a more well-rounded individual. She is a member of Nafme(SDMEA) and ASTA. MS All-State Orchestra is very important to her because it encourages students to challenge themselves to become better musicians.  In her free time she loves to spend time with her family, read, hike and enjoy the lake. She and her husband celebrated 25 years of marriage last June and have 2 children. Their son is a 2nd year at USD and their daughter is a junior at Stevens HS. They also love hosting exchange students and currently have one from Sweden.  She is honored to have been nominated for this position and looks forward to serving SDMEA in this capacity if elected.

Elementary Festival Chair-Elect

Gretchen Burbach

Gretchen Burbach, a Vermillion native, received her undergraduate degree in Music Education/Vocal Performance from USD. Mrs. Burbach is in her 24th year teaching prek-3rd grade general music and 6th grade choir for the Vermillion School District where she was honored to be chosen as district teacher of the year in 2009. She is the Artistic Director for the Vermillion Children’s Choir, directs youth music and adult choir at her church, and is also a member of the church bell choir, directed by her husband. She enjoys her summers performing with her family on stage for the Vermillion Community Theatre and serves as site host for a summer youth theatre workshop. Mrs. Burbach directs the 6th-9th grade choir for the USD Summer Music Camp and leads ukulele and World Drumming sessions. She has presented sessions for the local NAfME chapter and the annual South Dakota Music Education Conference. She was a guest conductor for the Mitchell area SDMEA Festival choir in 2019 and is honored to direct the SDMEA Elementary Festival Choir in Brandon and the SSA choir for the T.F. Riggs Choral Festival in Pierre this year. Through a special opportunity to participate in a study tour to Finland in May, Gretchen is excited to bring back and share creative and innovative Finnish teaching and learning strategies for the music classroom. She is currently pursuing her master’s in music education at USD and resides in Vermillion with her husband and youngest daughter, always looking forward to visits from her older son and daughter who attend Augustana and live in the Sioux Falls area.

Jen McNabb

Jennifer McNabb is in her seventeenth year of teaching and currently teaches Kindergarten through 5th grade general music at Pinedale Elementary. Her mission is for her students to love music, and she is passionate about incorporating fun and creativity into her classes. Jennifer received her bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University, and her Masters in Conducting and Music Education through American Band College. She is a member of SDMEA, AOSA, and Black Hills Area Orff Schulwerk Association. The Black Hills have always been home, and she enjoys the outdoors with her husband Monty, their three children, and their goofy golden retriever.

Kim Gaul

Kim Gaul has 20 years experience teaching music in South Dakota. She received her Bachelors of Music Education from South Dakota State University in 2003. For the past 15 years, Kim has taught KPrep through fourth grade at Dell Rapids Elementary. In addition to teaching elementary music, she has accompanied for Middle School and High School large group & solo/ensemble contest. Outside of her teaching day, she has taught piano lessons and served as her church choir director, accompanist & soloist.

Mrs. Gaul firmly believes students should sing, play (instruments) & move every day. Student enthusiasm for music will only grow through opportunities. Mrs. Gaul was the first to introduce Dell Rapids students to opportunities such as the SDSU Elementary Honor Choir, with growing numbers of participants each year, and provides a local music camp each summer. The Dell Rapids Elementary Programs are the most attended event in the district each year. This year’s 2nd-4th grade program showcased 240 students all performing the entire fully choreographed 45-minute show as well as the KPrep-1st grade program of 160 students performing with instruments & choreography.

When not at school, Kim is an avid runner, coaching track and cross country, a proud military wife to husband, Allen, and supporter for sons, Levi (junior) and Lukas (sophomore).

MS Choral/General Music Chair

Jean Morrison

Jean Morrison is in her 29th year of teaching music education. Mrs. Morrison taught 12 years in the Rutland School District and is now in her 17th year in Howard. Mrs. Morrison received her Bachelors of Music Education from SDSU and her Masters in Music Education from Kent State. Mrs. Morrison is a member of the South Dakota Bandmasters Association, South Dakota Music Educators Association and a member of American Choral Directors Association.   At Howard, Mrs. Morrison teaches 6-8 Band, 9-12 Band, 9-12 Choir, 6-8 Choir and gives junior high band lessons throughout the day. Mrs. Morrison is the student council advisor, the All-School Play Director and keeper of the sound system. Mrs. Morrison has 4 children: Christina - NICU nurse at Avera, Paul, Sami - both students at School of Mines and Technology studying mechanical engineering and Clara - 7th grade. Mrs. Morrison and her husband Scott live in De Smet with their 3 English bulldogs: Olive, Maggie and Harper.

Ellie Whitehead

Elizabeth Whitehead is the newly appointed 6th-8th grade choir teacher at Tea Area Middle School and an adjunct voice professor at Augustana University. She recently graduated in May with her master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of South Dakota. During her time at USD, Elizabeth conducted USD’s Chamber Singers, Symphonic Choir, Collegium Choir, and Symphony Orchestra at multiple concerts and worked with USD’s opera program as Chorus Master. She regularly sings with the Sioux Falls based choir, Transept, and for events across the state. Elizabeth taught elementary music for two years in Sioux Falls before pursuing her master’s degree. She resides in Viborg, SD with her husband, Maxwell.