Steven Waters is in his 25th year as a music educator and is in his 13th year of teaching at Jenison Junior High School. His responsibilities include team teaching the 7-9 grade Male Chorus with Les Rowsey, and four choirs for girls at the Junior High. He also team teaches the JPS Elementary Honors Choir with Karen Ambs, Grant Carmichael, Nicole Rethamel, and Diane Schrems. He earned his BS in Music Education (Vocal and Instrumental) at Western Michigan University and his MA in Education Technology at Grand Valley State University. The Jenison Junior High Choirs consistently receive top ratings at festivals and have been repeatedly invited to sing for the Michigan Music Conference, and have also performed for the state American Choral Directors Association conference. He has been a presenter at both events in past years. He teaches private students in voice and low brass.

Diane Schrems is the music teacher and choir director at Bauerwood Elementary School. She has been teaching music in Jenison since 1991, and continues to enjoy making music every day with her students. Mrs. Schrems earned her Bachelors in Music Education from Western Michigan University and she holds a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University. She co-directs the JPS Elementary Honors Choir with Karen Ambs, Grant Carmichael, Nicole Rethamel, and Steven Waters. Her elementary choirs have had the opportunity to perform at local and state levels, and Mrs. Schrems loves to have her choir perform The National Anthem at The Grand Rapids Griffins games.

Mrs. Schrems has had the privilege of being a clinician for the Michigan Music Conference many times, and she has presented workshops for several school districts and universities. Her passion for mentoring student intern teachers is an important part of her career goals. She has a wonderful and supportive family. Diane and her husband, Tim, who just happens to be the accompanist for the Bobcat Choir, have three children, Sarah, Adam and Emily. When she is not teaching, directing, or spending time with her family, you might find her traveling abroad, camping, catching a Broadway show, or heading up to the U.P. to revisit her childhood.

"I love living and teaching in Jenison. I get to come to work every day and have music and children fill my life. Our community of students, staff, and parents is the most wonderful group of people and I cherish my time with all of them."

Karen Ambs has taught music for 23 years, but this is her first year at Rosewood School! She has spent the last 18 years teaching at JPS, and also co-directs the Jenison Elementary honors choir. When Mrs. Ambs isn't teaching, she can be found hanging out with her family, or keeping busy at church or at dance class.

Grant Carmichael joined Jenison's music team in the fall of 2009 after finishing his student internship with Diane Schrems and Les Rowsey. Graduating magna cum laude from Western Michigan University with a degree in Music Education with a Vocal Emphasis, Carmichael is glad to begin his career in a district where collaboration is key to the kindergarten through twelfth grade music program. In addition to teaching full-time, Grant is a part of the musical productions at the high school, co-director of the elementary honors choir, and director of the Bursley and the Pine Cones Choir. Outside of teaching music, Grant enjoys being outside, playing tennis, running, and has recently learned to cook.

Holly Florian earned her Bachelors Degree in Choral/General Music Education from Western Michigan University. She joined the Jenison music department in May 2010 after completing her student internship with Steven Waters and Diane Schrems. She is currently the music teacher and choir director at Sandy Hill elementary school and co-directs the JPS Elementary Honors Choir. In addition to teaching general music and choir at Sandy Hill, Miss Florian is the director of the Jenison Junior High Theater program. When she is not busy directing shows or coming up with cool music lessons, she can be found playing the piano, watching classic films, attending concerts, or spending time with her family.