Jeff Knutson, the director of vocal music at Waukee High School, received the Outstanding High School/Post-Secondary Director Award from the Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA) Honors Initiative.
The information was reported by waukeeschools.org.
The award, created in 2022 to acknowledge exceptional dedication to secondary or post‑secondary choral education in Iowa, was presented to Knutson at the ICDA Honors Initiative Award Ceremony during the Summer Symposium on July 21.
Knutson has led Waukee’s vocal program since 2017, directing ensembles such as A Cappella choir, bass clef choir, show choir and the varsity jazz choir. Under his direction, the A Cappella choir became a finalist for the American Prize in Choral Performance in 2025 and earned spots in state and regional showcase events. This summer he also guided the school’s international tour choir on performances in Austria and Germany. Prior to his current role, he taught vocal music at Iowa City West High School and Bettendorf High School, and holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Music from Luther College.
For more information, visit waukeeschools.org.