About ​SMS Music

Established in 2019​

Snoqualmie Middle School, located in Snoqualmie, Washington, is one of three middle schools in Snoqualmie Valley School District. SMS reopened in Fall 2019 and currently serves approximately 550 students. To learn more about SMS, please visit the school website.

Our Goal

The goal of the Snoqualmie Middle School music program is to instill passion for the musical art in all students by teaching fundamental musicianship skills, offering relevant repertoire selections, and providing inspiring performance opportunities, all in preparation for music education at the high school level.

Our Team

Annie Stanger
​Choir Director
[email protected] | (425) 831-8483

Annie Stanger is in her fifth year as Choir Director at Snoqualmie Middle School. At SMS, she directs all choral ensembles and teaches Music & Movement, a ten-week exploratory elective class for sixth grade students.

Ms. Stanger graduated from Gonzaga University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Choral Music Education. At Gonzaga University, Ms. Stanger sang under the direction of Dr. Timothy Westerhaus and in the studio of Darnelle Preston.

Ms. Stanger currently serves as Honor Choir Chair for the Northwestern American Choral Directors Association. She regularly clinics regional choral festivals, judges Solo & Ensemble competitions, and guest conducts regional honor choirs throughout the Northwestern region. She is a singing member of Choral Arts Northwest, under the direction of Tim Westerhaus, and the Wellspring Ensemble, under the direction of Evan Norberg.

A native of Kirkland, Washington, Ms. Stanger currently lives in Seattle ​and loves being part of the Snoqualmie Valley community! She is both thrilled and humbled to teach music in a community that is so supportive of and accomplished in music in the public schools.

Learn more about SMS Choirs

Dillon Alas
Band Director
[email protected] | (425) 831-8474

Dillon Alas is in his first year as the Band Director as Snoqualmie Middle School. At SMS, Mr. Alas currently teaches three grade-level concert bands, an auditioned jazz band, and a music history class. Before coming to SMS, Mr. Alas spent three years as the Band Director at Sterling Jr. High School in East Wenatchee. While at Sterling, he grew the band program from 40 students to over 180. The Sterling bands under his direction consistently received superior ratings at regional festivals, taking 1st place at the 2023 Apple Blossom Youth Parade.
​
​Mr. Alas received his Bachelors of Music degrees from Central Washington University in both Music Education and Trombone Performance. While at CWU, he performed with the CWU Wind Ensemble under the direction of Larry Gookin and Lewis Norfleet, as well as the CWU Jazz Band 1 under Chris Bruya.

An avid trombone player, Mr. Alas has studied trombone with Mike Oft and Dr. John Neurohr. He has had the privelege to perform in masterclasses with Pete Ellefson and Ko-Ichiro Yamamoto. Mr. Alas was a participant at the 2018 Cleveland Trombone Seminar, and performed with the CWU Trombone Choir at the 2016 American Trombone Workshop. While in Wenatchee, Mr. Alas spend two years as the Principal Trombone of the Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra, and frequently performed with several jazz bands in the area.

An advocate for the marching arts, Mr. Alas has significant experience both performing and teaching in some of the top marching ensembles in our region and the nation. He has taught the A.C. Davis High School and West Valley High School Marching Bands, and is currently the drill writer for the Eastmont High School Marching Band. Mr. Alas has served as the Brass Caption Head for the Columbians Drum and Bugle Corps since 2020, helping lead the corps to a 2023 DCI World Class Semifinalist placement. As a performer, he marched with the Oregon Crusaders and the Santa Clara Vanguard.

Originally from Vancouver, Washington, Mr. Alas currently lives in Bellevue with his adorable cat, Archie. He is extremely excited to be joining the wonderfully supportive community of the Snoqualmie Valley, and honored to serve its students.
​
Learn more about SMS Bands