Elected Officers

Name: Steven Albaugh
Position: President
Workplace: Rosemount High School, Rosemount

H: 612.810.8048
O: 651.423.7542
Steven.Albaugh@district196.org

Background: I have been the Director of Choral Activities at Rosemount High School since 2000. The first nine years of my teaching career was spent in the state of Iowa teaching at every K-12 academic level. I received my Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from Northern Arizona State University in Flagstaff, AZ, and my Bachelor of Music Degree in Choral Music Education from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA.

Message to Colleagues: Hello ACDA of Minnesota! My top goal is to promote and foster leadership within our organization. ACDA-MN stands alone not only with its rich choral history, but also with the number of on-going activities and events that we provide for our choral community. Do you want to get involved? This organization is filled with capable members to would love to get involved in the next ACDA-MN project. Is that member you?

I would like to see ACDA-MN energize our efforts in two areas: K-8 choral music education and in the area of music and worship. Having been employed as an educator at the elementary and middle school levels, as well as a church music director, I feel we as an organization can do more to meet the needs of those who currently serve in that capacity within our state.

We cannot do this alone! I feel ACDA-MN can do more in outreach to existing musical organizations. The “go it alone” approach is not an approach that will lead to success. We must allow ourselves to look beyond our own membership and to collaborate with other groups. Sharing and listening is a sign of growth and strength. It is an honor and a privilege to serve this organization in a leadership role! I thank you for giving me this opportunity!

Name: Brian Stubbs
Position: Vice President
Workplace: Brainerd High School, Brainerd

H: 218.828.6936
O: 218.454.6271
Brian.Stubbs@isd181.org

Background: Greetings! I have been a public school Vocal Music Director for 23 years, being at Brainerd Sr. High School for the past four. Along with teaching, I was active as a church choral director for thirteen years. I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, and earned by Master of Music Education degree at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Message to Colleagues: ACDA-MN is an organization that is integral to the fabric that makes Minnesota. Our traditions and values are embodied in our love of choral music, and the work of our organization continues to strengthen those ideals. It has been gratifying to be a part of ACDA-MN as it has grown in strength and scope. It is my sincere hope that ACDA-MN becomes an integral resource for all Minnesota choral directors, whether they serve in public education or the private sector and volunteer groups, directing choirs of all ages. I further hope that the voice of ACDA-MN strengthens as policy towards public education is reshaped, serving as a strong advocate for choral music as a basic need in every child’s development. I continue to believe that the strength of ACDA-MN is through our connections as a body of musicians, and strive continually to look for ways to strengthen our times and connections to one another. Finally, it is my hope that the FMC Endowment Fund and the financial resources of ACDA-MN continue to be strengthened, enabling our organization to provide even more resources to even more and future members. 

Name: Thomas Hassig
Position: President-Elect
Workplace: Prior Lake High School

H: 952.393.3452
O: 952.226.8663
thassig@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us

Background: I'm a Minnesota native, attended Gustavus for my BA, and received my MA from Univ of MN-Twin Cities. Taught out of state before returning to Minnesota in 1988. Since then I've been teaching at Prior Lake High School. Go Lakers! My present teaching position/duties include Grades 10-12 choirs (men's, 2 women's, mixed) and co-curricular ensembles; also department chair.

Message to Colleagues: I'm so proud to be an ACDA-MN member and am honored that you have entrusted me with the incredible opportunity to serve you in this leadership position. At heart, I'm still just a simple farm boy. ACDA-MN colleagues are the ones who made me want to be a choir director; I'm still amazed and honored every day to be amongst them. Join, find your spot to get involved, use all these resources that are available ... and help us all create an energetic and vibrant future in our organization! 

Name: Amy Johnson
Position: Secretary
Workplace: Coon Rapids High School, Coon Rapids

H: 651.497.5977
O: 763.506.7340
AmyB.Johnson@anoka.k12.mn.us

Background: I am going into my 5th year of teaching at Coon Rapids High School, and have been blessed to be a part of this great organization from the beginning of my career! It is exciting to see how far ACDA-MN has come in the last five years, and I am thrilled to be a part of it going forward. I also sing with VocalEssence and love spending time with my family and spunky dog, Keti. 

Message to Colleagues: My goals are to help support and sustain the pattern of timely communication and organization of board meetings and other events in this organization. I believe that keeping as many people as possible up to date and allowing transparency in record keeping is important. I look forward to allowing our leaders to continue dreaming rather than being bogged down by the details (I also love taking care of details). I also plan to move our record keeping to a web-based platform, allowing our organization to become more environmentally friendly while promoting accessibility for our members.