About

Jennifer Vowles, Band Director

Jennifer Vowles began teaching in 2000 and joined the Sprague High School faculty in 2019.  Prior to her appointment to Sprague, Ms. Vowles spent much of her career as a band director in Texas.  She has taught in Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Grapevine-Colleyville, and Bridgeport school districts (TX), as well as Carbondale Community High School (IL).  Her ensembles have consistently experienced success on stage and in stadiums, including awards for Best in Class, Outstanding Ensemble, and appearances in Bands of America Grand Nationals and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Ms. Vowles is a proud member of the National Association for Music Education, Oregon Music Education Association, and Oregon Band Directors Association.  In her spare time, she enjoys playing and watching volleyball, reading, cooking, and traveling with her family.

Michelle VanUnen, Assistant Band Director

Michelle VanUnen began teaching in the Mesa (AZ) schools in 2004 after earning her bachelor's degree at Arizona State University. She also holds a master's degree in conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, and for the last twelve years led a successful middle school program in the Blue Valley (Overland Park, KS) district. Ms. VanUnen is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Oregon Band Directors Association, Oregon Music Educators Association, and the Jazz Education Network. In her free time, she enjoys live music, cooking, and has visited twenty-six National Parks with her husband.