Dan Valkema
Daniel Valkema retired in 2018 following a 36-year career in music education in suburban Chicago. His career included teaching at Plainfield Central, Elk Grove, Lincoln-Way East, and Lockport Township High Schools. He holds degrees from Illinois State University and the University of Iowa. Bands under his direction have performed at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, the Midwest Clinic, the Illinois Music Education Conference, the State of Illinois Concert Band Contest(5A Champions) and the prestigious Illinois Superstate Band Festival(Class AAA Honor Band). In addition, his bands have earned the Grand Championship Award at the Midwest Music Festival 3 times. Mr. Valkema has appeared as guest conductor with the Illinois Summer Youth Music Camp, Iowa All-State Music Camp, Wheaton Municipal Band, Freeport Concert Band, IMEA Jazz Bands, and Rushmore Music Camp. He is proud to have had opportunities to conduct bands at Symphony Center in Chicago twice. He has also been a staff member of the Illinois Ambassadors of Music for 5 European Concert Tours. Mr. Valkema was honored as an Outstanding Chicagoland Music Educator, received an
Illinois Math & Science Academy Award of Excellence, Plainfield District 202 Award of Excellence, and several Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at Illinois State University and North Central College.