About SMS Music |
Established in 2019Snoqualmie 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 500 students. To learn more about SMS, please visit the school website.
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Our GoalThe 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.
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Our Team
Annie Stanger
Choir Director [email protected] | (425) 831-8483 Annie Stanger joined Snoqualmie Middle School as choir director when the school reopened in 2019. At SMS, she directs all choral ensembles and teaches Music & Movement, an exploratory elective class for sixth grade students, and Music Appreciation, an elective class for seventh and eighth grade students. Under Ms. Stanger's direction, SMS choirs have consistently received superior ratings at the Eastshore Middle School Choral Festivals and received Best Overall Choir awards at Music in the Parks festivals. 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. As a conductor and educator, Ms. Stanger regularly clinics regional choral festivals, judges Solo and Ensemble competitions, and guest conducts honor choirs throughout the Northwestern region. She has guest lectured for aspiring music educators at colleges and universities, most recently at the University of Montana. She has also been a guest on the conduct(her) podcast hosted by Kyra Stahr and McKenna Stenson as part of the K-12 Choral Educator Series. In the summer of 2024, Ms. Stanger was named Outstanding Emerging Choir Director by the Washington State chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. As a soprano, she is a proud singing member and board member of Choral Arts Northwest, under the direction of Tim Westerhaus, and the Wellspring Ensemble, under the direction of Evan Norberg. Ms. Stanger currently serves as the Honor Choir Chair for the Northwestern region of the American Choral Directors Association, of which she has been a board member since 2017. She is an active member of both the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education. 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 joined the staff of Snoqualmie Middle School as band director for the 2023-2024 school year. 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 first 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 spent 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 part of the wonderfully supportive community of the Snoqualmie Valley and honored to serve its students. Learn more about SMS Bands |