DHS CHORAL MUSIC ARTISTIC TEAM
Jeff Thomas, Vocal Music Director: Originally from the Kansas City area, Jeff Thomas received his Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Music Education from Missouri Southern State University where he was named "Outstanding Graduate" in 2011. Mr. Thomas is also an accomplished vocalist, having performed in over forty countries across North and South America with various production companies and cruise ships. His performing credits include Cedar Fair Entertainment, SeaWorld Entertainment, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Oceania Cruise Incorporated, Prestige Cruises to name a few. While work in the professional circuit is exciting, Mr. Thomas has always held a strong commitment to educating young musicians. When not in the classroom or at sea he enjoys working with high school and collegiate show choirs where he shares his experiences as a sought after arranger, clinician, adjudicator, and vocal coach. He happily writes a majority of the music his show choirs perform and enjoys creating music geared specifically for his students. Mr. Thomas is thrilled to join a community of music lovers and looks forward to continuing the outstanding legacy of music education at Danville Schools. He would like to thank his loving wife, Kassie for her humor, kindness, and everlasting support. Jeff and Kassie welcomed their first child, Bennett James Thomas, in December of 2018.
Mrs. Jill Smith has been a long standing member of the Vocal Music Program at Danville High School. She began piano lessons at age five and attended Hoopeston East-Lynn High School under the music direction of both Mark and Marty Lindvahl. After graduation, Ms. Prasse attended Millikin University and earned her Bachelor of Music degree.
Outside of school, Ms. Prasse is the accompanist for the Vermillion Festival Chorus and enjoys working at Laura Lee Fellowship House Lights, an after school program.
Outside of school, Ms. Prasse is the accompanist for the Vermillion Festival Chorus and enjoys working at Laura Lee Fellowship House Lights, an after school program.
Mr. Ryan Krapf is in his fifth year as Director of Bands at Danville High School. He has taught in Sullivan where he was the Director of Bands at Sullivan Elementary, Middle and High Schools from 2007-2015. He also taught at Somonauk Middle and High School from 2002-2004 and Bolingbrook High School from 2004-2007. In 2014, the Sullivan High School Concert Band was selected to perform at the 2014 ILMEA All-State Conference in Peoria, Illinois and the 2014 State of Illinois Superstate Festival held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Mr. Krapf is a 1997 graduate of Marian Catholic High School and was a member of the award winning Marian Catholic Band program. Mr. Krapf holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education Degree from Illinois State University where he studied private clarinet with Professor Emeritus Aris Chavez and was a member of the Illinois State University Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. Stephen K. Steele. Mr. Krapf has his Masters of Music Education Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Mr. Krapf’s professional affiliations include being an active member of the Illinois Music Education Association, the National Association for Music Education. He also serves as the current Delta Province President of Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity.
Mr. Krapf enjoys spending his free time exercising, cooking, cheering on the Chicago Cubs, helping his dad on the family farm, watching the Food Network, and spending time with dog Heidi.
Mr. Krapf is a 1997 graduate of Marian Catholic High School and was a member of the award winning Marian Catholic Band program. Mr. Krapf holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education Degree from Illinois State University where he studied private clarinet with Professor Emeritus Aris Chavez and was a member of the Illinois State University Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. Stephen K. Steele. Mr. Krapf has his Masters of Music Education Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Mr. Krapf’s professional affiliations include being an active member of the Illinois Music Education Association, the National Association for Music Education. He also serves as the current Delta Province President of Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity.
Mr. Krapf enjoys spending his free time exercising, cooking, cheering on the Chicago Cubs, helping his dad on the family farm, watching the Food Network, and spending time with dog Heidi.