About

Bio

Stephanie (Niewohner) Dickes currently holds a bachelors degree in Music Education from Drake University and has over nine years of instrumental instruction experiences along with over four years of private piano teaching. While at Drake University, Steph studied clarinet with Clarence Padilla and presented both a junior joint recital and a senior recital. She was also a dedicated member of the music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota as well as a clarinet section leader, Bulldog Brass director, and box office manager.

Before her collegiate studies, Mrs. Stephanie Dickes was involved in both vocal and instrumental activities in her junior and senior high. She received the directors award for both band and choir in junior high and was awarded multiple distinctions for instrumental music each year of high school. While at West Monona High school Steph received over 30 superior ratings for solos and ensembles at the Iowa District Music Contest and was the lead of Maria in the Sound of Music her senior year.

Steph and her husband Charlie have been married for over three years and are happy to finally call Omaha (and Nebraska) their home. They have a fur baby, Jack who is a 12+ year old cuddly cat. They enjoy tackling creative projects in their new home, going on walks around the many Omaha lakes and spending time together with family.

Teaching Profile

Mrs. Stephanie Dickes is currently in her tenth year of teaching and is the instrumental music instructor at Marian High school. This is her fourth year as a part of the Marian staff. She is also the fine arts department head. As the instrumental music instructor her courses include Band/Honors Band, Strings/Honors Strings, Guitar I/II, Handbells I/II and an Intro to Theatre course. Along with those courses, Mrs. Dickes is the pit orchestra conductor and aids events within the choral program.

Prior to Marian, Mrs. Dickes taught for four years at Remsen St. Mary's schools in northwest Iowa. While at RSM, she taught 5-12 band, two years of 5-12 vocal music and one year of K-5 elementary music. She was the head of the music program throughout her time at St. Mary's and received many accolades from faculty, staff and families of the small but tight-nit community. Along with her teaching duties, she also gave private piano lessons after school and her students performed at the spring music concert. As the sole band director, she lead students to multiple large group appearances at the high school and junior high level as well as superb performances at the middle school solo/ensemble contest at Buena Vista University. Her experiences as a music teacher at RSM included community performances at memorial day, pep band, national anthem ensembles, and serving as the music director and pit conductor for the spring musicals.

Mrs. Dickes began her teaching career at North Union schools in North Central Iowa. While at NU, she was the 6-12 band director and lead the marching band, pep band, and prepared students for multiple appearances at solo/ensemble contest and large group contest. She instructed over 100 students in their group and individual instrument studies. Other achievements at NU include leading the drum line, aiding the overall music program, preparing students for multiple honors ensembles and having a group perform at Adventureland Park.

Education, Ensembles, and Achievements

  • Master of Arts in Education, Music Education - University of Nebraska, Kearney - currently pursuing

  • Bachelor of Music - Drake University, 2013

  • Drake University Concert Band, 2009-2012

  • Drake University Wind Symphony, 2013 (concert, tour, CD)

  • Junior Joint Recital, Clarinet - spring 2012

  • Senior Recital, Clarinet - fall 2012

  • Northwest Iowa Concert Band: 2013-2015

  • All America Concert Band: Sioux City, IA - 2015-2017

  • Blair Area Community Band 2022-present

  • RĂ©sonance Festival Choir, October 2022

  • Mass Cantor: St. Wenceslas Church - 2022-present

Affiliations

  • NMEA: Nebraska Music Education Association

  • NAfME: National Association for Music Education

  • NSBA: Nebraska State Band Association

  • OMTA: Omaha Music Teacher Association

  • Sigma Alpha Iota Alumnae