Schedule & Adjudicators
SCHEDULE
(Schedule subject to change. Click on image to download a PDF)
ADJUDICATORS
We are honored to present a distinguished panel of adjudicators who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the task of evaluating our competitors. Their discerning judgment and thoughtful feedback not only recognize excellence but also inspire continuous improvement.
Michael Engelhardt
Michael Engelhardt is a singer, songwriter, composer, vocal coach, producer, and director on a mission to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
His work has been featured on ABC, NBC, PBS, and NPR broadcasts, the Carnegie Hall stage, and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the Jazz Education Network (JEN).
He has numerous choral works published by Walton Music (GIA) and Hinshaw Music in addition to his self-published catalog.
In the pop music field, he has arranged and/or performed backing vocals for such artists as O.A.R., Ben Folds, Take 6, Kansas, and Patti Austin, and he has produced concert videos for Michael McDonald.
Dr. Michelle Jensen
The founder and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles-based “Sterling Ensemble”, Dr. Jensen is a choral director, clinician, and teacher. Currently serving as the Director of Graduate Choral Studies and conducting the Chamber Singers and teaching Music Education at Azusa Pacific University, she has also served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Southern California where she earned her BM, MME in Music Education and DMA in Choral Music. Dr. Jensen was a member of both SAG and AFTRA with an extensive performance resume including commercials, voice-overs, music videos, guest-star roles on television and live performances. Prior to joining the faculty at APU, she was the founding director of the choral program at Burbank High School and choreographed for many programs across North America, including John Burroughs High School and the Youth Singers of Calgary.
Under her direction, the APU Chamber Singers has traveled to four continents, with featured performances at the Sydney Opera House, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The APU Chamber Singers was invited to perform for the National Collegiate Choral Organization National Conferences in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2011, Portland, Oregon in 2015 and Atlanta, Georgia in 2023. Under her direction, the Sterling Ensemble performed at the 2023 ACDA national conference in Cincinnati and will perform at the 2024 ACDA conference in Pasadena. In the summer 2013 under Dr. Jensen, the APU Chamber Singers was selected to represent the United States at the 50th International Competition of Choirs in Spittal an der Drau, Austria where they were awarded first place in every category. Under her direction, they competed during 2015 and 2023 in the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen Wales, winning first place in three categories.
In 2019, Dr. Jensen served as the conductor for the ACDA Connecticut All-State Mixed Honor Choir. She continues to serve as a conductor, clinician, adjudicator, honor choir conductor, and guest artist throughout the United States and abroad.
Valerie Mack
Valerie Mack is Chair of Music and Dance at Butler Community College in El Dorado, KS. Ms. Mack’s choreography has been featured at Carnegie Hall, Disney, National ACDA conventions, the Miss America pageant and national show choir and dance competitions.
Her best-selling books, IceBreakers 1, 2, 3, Olympic Games for the Music Classroom and Putting the Show in CHOIR are published by Hal Leonard and used by music educators worldwide. Ms. Mack is also a contributing author for The Choral Warm-Up Collection, The Voice Teacher’s Cookbook, and The Choral Conductor’s Companion. She was recently invited to collaborate in the Judging 101: YouTube Series.
Recognized for her outstanding contributions to the Barbershop Society, Ms. Mack was honored at the Central States Convention. As a Butler Master Teacher, she has delivered commencement addresses, and is in demand as a motivational speaker. Her college show choir, the Butler Headliners, were finalists in NBC’s “Show Choir Showdown” and performed for millions of viewers. The Headliners have hosted Fame, Showstoppers, Heart of America Show Choir Competitions, Barbershop Regional and National competitions and performed for multiple NAfME and ACDA conventions.
In her spare time, Ms. Mack teaches at the Kansas Dance Academy. She directs the Risen Savior Lutheran Praise Choir, plays keyboard for the Praise Team and teaches Sunday School. She adjudicates for national show choir competitions, has been on the Music Theatre of Wichita board of directors; and a talent coach for the Miss America program. She has been a regular adjudicator for the Believe National Talent Competition. She and husband, Tom, co-directed the Butler Show Choir Showcase for 25 years, which influenced thousands of music educators and dancers throughout the nation.
Sam Mulligan
Samual Mulligan is a Pop/R&B recording artist, songwriter, and musician based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from central Illinois, Mr. Mulligan is a graduate of Mt. Zion High School as well as an alumnus of the Swingsations. He is also a recent graduate of Belmont University where he received his Bachelor of Music in Commercial Vocal Performance along with a minor in Music Business. Mr. Mulligan recently released his 10th single and his catalog of original music surpassed over half a million streams across all platforms.
Currently he is traveling as a background dancer for country artist Walker Hayes’ U.S arena tour. Sam began 2024 performing and back up dancing at the College Football National Championship and NBA All-Star Game Weekend. His time is split recording and performing his own music at different venues around the country, writing songs for other artists, and traveling as a professional background dancer/vocalist.
Mr. Mulligan is also a full-time freelance choreographer, clinician, and adjudicator working with many esteemed show choirs across the country. On top of being an artist, he continues to train in various styles of dance with top choreographers and dance studios in Nashville. He’s beyond grateful for the opportunity to work with so many incredible students and music educators through his love for music.
Stephen C. Woodin
Before his retirement in June of 2010 Steve Woodin spent 28 years as the Director of Choral Activities at Urbandale High School where he conducted the Concert Choir, Select Mixed Choir, Urbandale Singers, and Studio the varsity show choir.
While at Urbandale High School, 392 students were selected into the Iowa All-State Chorus. His show choirs received numerous state and national awards. Mr. Woodin was the first recipient of the “Allen and Sandra Chapman Director Appreciation Award of Excellence” given by Show Choir Nationals on March 28, 2010.
Mr. Woodin has served as an adjudicator for the Iowa All-State, and has served as an assistant to four Iowa All-State Chairs. He has judged at State Small and Large group contests. Steve adjudicated at nine show choir competitions in 2023 in Iowa,
Wisconsin, Nebraska, California, and at Show Choir Nationals at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. He presently teaches private voice and this past year worked with All-State ensembles from Johnston, Indianola, Des Moines Roosevelt,
West Des Moines Valley, Waukee and Pella High Schools. He served as the music director for Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, Seussical the Musical, and Peter Pan, at the Des Moines Playhouse. Mr. Woodin directed the 2011 OPUS boys honor choir and chaired the 2012 Iowa Choral Directors Association Summer Symposium.
Mr. Woodin has been married to Paula for 43 years and has three children, Scott, Greg and Janelle. He and Paula love to hike including a four-day wilderness hikes at the North Rim to South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Clouds Rest in Yosemite National Park, Glacier National Park in Montana, Yellowstone National Park, and the Teton National Park. Much of his free time is spent enjoying the peace and quiet on a trout stream fly fishing.
