Directors & Staff
Jan Verboom, Co-Director of Bands
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In his 18th year at Valley Center and 30th year teaching instrumental music, Mr. Jan Verboom Co-Directs all the Instrumental Ensembles 5th through 12th grades at Valley Center. Mr. Verboom is a Graduate of Wichita State University where he performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, WSU Pep Band, Jazz Combos, Percussion Ensembles, Steel Band, Marching Percussion, and “Shocker” Marching Band. Mr. Verboom is a former student of Dr. J.C. Combs, Myles Mazur, Brad Bone, Dr. Victor Markovich, and student teaching with Dr. Charles Menghini in the Olathe School District. He began his music education career as Percussion Instructor for Wichita North High School and was Assistant Band Director and District Percussion Coordinator in the Goddard Public Schools for twelve years prior to coming to Valley Center. Mr. Verboom has been involved with a number of ensembles and organizations as an Instructor or Percussion Arranger including Goddard, Buhler, Derby, Olathe North, the Kansas Lions International and State Bands, Performance Arts Foundation, Kansas Masonic Band, and The Quad City Knights Drum and Bugle Corps along with providing private percussion instruction to students. As an instructor, clinician, adjudicator, and performer, Mr. Verboom has traveled through the United States, Canada, and England.
He was chosen as a “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” in 2002 and is a member of MENC, Kansas Music Educators Association, and the Kansas Bandmasters Association.
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Mary Wilkerson, Co-Director of Bands
mary.wilkerson@uusd262.net
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Sara Woods, Co-Director of Bands
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Sara Woods returns to teaching after a 2.5 year hiatus having her son and spending some time with him. Sara has previously taught 5th-12th grade band in Hiawatha, high school band in Garden City, and K-8 music in Andale. She received her bachelors degree in Music Education from Kansas State University in the spring of 2018. While at K-State, Sara was apart of the Marching Band, Cat Band, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, University Band, Woodwind Ensemble, K-State Symphony Orchestra, and Oboe Studio. Her main instrument is the oboe but is proficient in flute and piano as well.
