Available to hire
I’m Sandra Wagner, a music educator, composer, and producer with more than thirty years of hands-on experience in music production, performing arts program development, and interdisciplinary curriculum design.
I collaborate with vocalists to craft emotionally resonant performances and ensure that vocal portrayals align with character storytelling, using modern production tools to deliver professional recordings. I’m excited to bring my breadth of experience to Twine’s music composition project and contribute to compelling storytelling through music.
Experience Level
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Music Composer at Self Employed
June 1, 1993 - PresentComposer of children's, inspirational, and jazzy pop music.
Secondary Education Music Teacher at Audubon Community Schools
September 30, 2025 - July 9, 2025Teaching fifth and sixth grade general music, seven/eighth grade and high school choir and band, and high school musical theater. Lead dual credit courses in Music Fundamentals and Music Appreciation with DMACC. Revitalized and stabilized the music and musical theater program, developed enriching student-teacher relationships, created innovative concert experiences, introduced music technology courses and showcases, and mentored two new teachers.
Music Director, Instrumental and Vocal programs at Dakota State University
July 31, 2022 - July 9, 2025Directed instrumental and vocal programs, developed and instructed Sound Design courses, and interdisciplinary arts methods for education majors. Crafted Coding Certification for Digital Arts majors, received awards for service and student research, enhanced student learning outcomes, developed standards for the Digital Arts department used by other universities, revitalized pep band and concert choir, engaged in community outreach, and participated in university committees and faculty advising.
Founder and Director at MAD MUSIC SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
June 30, 2020 - July 9, 2025Directed summer studies focused on vocal and instrumental technique, performance, stage presence, improvisation, and music theory. Developed student scholarships, leadership opportunities, achieved high retention and growth, generated employment and business opportunities, and positively impacted the local community.
Early Childhood Music Specialist/Beginning Band Instructor at NAIS Accredited: Independent Day School
June 30, 2010 - July 9, 2025Specialized in Early Childhood through 2nd Grade music using Orff-Schulwerk methods and instructed 4th grade beginning band. Wrote and produced original music and lesson plans, created music dramas combining multiple arts for performances, collaborated cross-curricularly with teachers, and developed a private lesson program.
Music Composer at Self Employed
June 1, 1993 - PresentComposer of children's, inspirational, and jazzy pop music.
Secondary Education Music Teacher at Audubon Community Schools
September 30, 2025 - July 9, 2025Teaching fifth and sixth grade general music, seven/eighth grade and high school choir and band, and high school musical theater. Developed dynamic student-teacher relationships and innovative thematic concert experiences. Established music technology courses and coordinated with DMACC to provide concurrent college courses on campus. Mentored two new teachers and revitalized music and theater programs.
Music Director, Instrumental and Vocal Programs at Dakota State University
July 31, 2022 - July 9, 2025Directed music programs including instrumental and vocal ensembles. Developed and instructed courses in Sound Design and Interdisciplinary Arts Methods. Created a Coding Certification for Digital Arts and Design majors, elevated student research initiatives, and contributed to department standards and measurements. Revitalized university bands and choirs, engaged in extensive community outreach, and participated in university committees and faculty advising.
Founder and Director at MAD MUSIC SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
June 30, 2020 - July 9, 2025Managed summer camp focused on vocal and instrumental technique, performance skills, and music theory. Developed student scholarships, leadership roles, and business opportunities within the community, achieving high participant retention and community impact.
Early Childhood Music Specialist/Beginning Band at NAIS Accredited Independent Day School
June 30, 2010 - July 9, 2025Specialized in early childhood music and Orff-Schulwerk methods for early grades. Developed original music and lesson plans integrating music, drama, art, and dance with a focus on student-centered, cross-curricular learning. Expanded the private lesson program.
Founder and Director at Smart Minds Summer Academy
June 30, 2008 - July 9, 2025Directed summer camp for gifted and talented students providing music and art history survey courses.
Music Composer at Self Employed
June 1, 1993 - PresentComposer of children's, inspirational, and jazzy pop music.
Secondary Education Teacher at Audubon Community Schools
September 1, 2025 - July 9, 2025Teaching fifth and sixth grade general music; seven/eighth grade and high school choir and band; high school musical theater; and dual credit courses MUS 102 Music Fundamentals and MUS 100 Music Appreciation with DMACC. Key achievements include revitalization and stabilization of music and musical theater program, fostering student-teacher relationships, creating innovative thematic concerts, developing music technology courses, connecting with DMACC to bring concurrent college courses to campus, and mentoring two new teachers.
Music Director and Instructor at Dakota State University
July 1, 2022 - July 9, 2025Directed instrumental and vocal programs; developed and taught Sound Design courses for College of Arts and Sciences and Interdisciplinary Arts Methods for College of Education. Achievements include development of Coding Certification for Digital Arts and Design majors, multiple awards for excellence and service, recognition for raising student learning outcomes, standards development in Digital Arts and Design Department, revitalization of university Pep Band and Concert Choir, significant community outreach, committee service, and faculty advising.
Founder and Director at MAD MUSIC SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
June 1, 2020 - July 9, 2025Led summer studies in vocal and instrumental technique, performance, stage presence, improvisation, and music theory. Developed student scholarships, student directors, and leadership opportunities; maintained ongoing growth and high retention rates; generated employment and business opportunities within the community; and made a widely acknowledged impact on the greater community of Madison, SD and surrounding areas.
Early Childhood Music Specialist/Beginning Band at NAIS Accredited: Independent Day School
June 1, 2010 - July 9, 2025Served as Early Childhood through 2nd Grade Music Specialist based on Orff-Schulwerk methodology, and taught 4th Grade Beginning Band. Responsibilities included writing and producing original music and lesson plans for general music, beginning band, and core curriculum; producing original music dramas combining music, drama, art, and dance; collaborating with grade level teachers for cross-curricular thematic lesson plans; and developing a private lesson program.
Music Composer at Self Employed
June 1, 1993 - PresentComposer of children's, inspirational, and jazzy pop music.
Secondary Education Music Teacher at Audubon Community Schools
September 1, 2025 - July 9, 2025Taught fifth and sixth grade general music, seven/eighth grade and high school choir and band, and high school musical theater. Delivered dual credit courses in Music Fundamentals and Music Appreciation in cooperation with DMACC. Revitalized and stabilized music and musical theater programs, developed enriching student-teacher relationships, created innovative thematic concert experiences, introduced music technology courses, partnered with DMACC for concurrent college courses, and mentored two new teachers.
Music Director, Instrumental and Vocal programs at Dakota State University
July 1, 2022 - July 9, 2025Directed instrumental and vocal programs, developed and instructed Sound Design and Interdisciplinary Arts Methods courses. Created a Coding Certification for digital arts majors with music and art technology focus. Achieved multiple awards for service, diversity, and raising student outcomes. Developed standards and measurements for the Digital Arts and Design Department, revitalized University Pep Band and Concert Choir, engaged in significant outreach with surrounding community, and served on university committees and faculty advising boards.
Founder and Director at MAD MUSIC SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
June 1, 2020 - July 9, 2025Founded and directed a summer camp offering vocal and instrumental technique, performance, stage presence, improvisation, and music theory studies. Established student scholarship and leadership opportunities, achieved ongoing growth with high retention, created employment and business opportunities locally, and made a widely acknowledged impact on the greater Madison, SD community.
Early Childhood Music Specialist/Beginning Band at NAIS Accredited: Independent Day School
June 1, 2010 - July 9, 2025Specialized in early childhood music (Early Childhood through 2nd Grade) using Orff-Schulwerk methodology, and taught 4th Grade Beginning Band. Wrote and produced original music and lesson plans, developed original music dramas for performances combining music, drama, art, and dance. Collaborated creatively with grade level teachers to produce cross-curricular thematic lessons, and established a private lesson program.
Music Composer at Self-Employed
June 1, 1993 - PresentComposer of children's, inspirational, and jazzy pop music.
General Music Teacher; Choir and Band; High School Musical Theater at Audubon Community Schools
September 1, 2022 - September 1, 2025Fifth and sixth grade general music; seventh/eighth grade and high school choir and band; high school musical theater; DMACC MUS 102 Music Fundamentals and MUS 100 Music Appreciation (dual credit). Key achievements include revitalization and stabilization of music and musical theater programs; dynamic student-teacher relationships; innovative thematic concert experiences; development of music technology courses and showcases; collaboration with DMACC to offer concurrent college courses; mentorship of two new teachers.
Music Director, Instrumental and Vocal Programs; Program Developer at Dakota State University
September 1, 2010 - July 1, 2022Directed instrumental and vocal programs; developed and taught Sound Design for the College of Arts and Sciences; developed Interdisciplinary Arts Methods for the College of Education. Key achievements include Coding Certification for Digital Arts and Design majors; Faculty Member for Student Research Initiative; DeWayne Mork Award for Excellence in Service; Friend of Diversity recognitions; development of Standards and Measurements in the Digital Arts and Design Department; revitalization of Pep Band and Concert Choir; extensive community outreach; university committees and advising; model used by faculty at other universities.
Founder and Director at MAD Music Summer Camp
June 1, 2011 - June 1, 2020Summer studies in vocal and instrumental technique, performance, stage presence, improvisation, and music theory. Key achievements include student scholarships, student directors, leadership opportunities, strong retention, and community employment opportunities; significant impact on the Madison, SD area.
Music Specialist / Beginning Band at NAIS Accredited Independent Day School
October 1, 2007 - June 1, 2010Orff-Schulwerk based music education for Early Childhood through 2nd Grade; 4th Grade Beginning Band; wrote and produced original music and lesson plans; created music dramas that integrated music, drama, art, and dance; cross-curricular collaboration; development of private lesson program.
Founder and Director at Smart Minds Summer Academy
June 1, 2006 - June 1, 2008Summer camp for gifted and talented students; music and art history survey courses; community music program development.
Music and Literacy Artist in Action at Self-Employed / Artist in Action
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 2010Collaborative program development partnering with grade level teachers, reading specialists, and schools to integrate speech, reading fluency, and music production to support child development and classroom enrichment. Program included concerts, master classes, and private instruction; produced professional recordings of student work.
Director of Instrumental and Vocal Programs at Dakota State University
September 1, 2010 - July 1, 2022Directed instrumental and vocal programs, improving performance quality and increasing audience attendance through targeted training and high-quality productions. Developed and instructed sound design courses, utilizing music production software to achieve professional recordings and enhance student engagement. Collaborated with vocalists to produce emotionally resonant music, contributing to interdisciplinary arts methods courses.
Music Educator / Interdisciplinary Arts at Audubon Community Schools
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2025Developed interdisciplinary curriculum for K-5 general and RISE music; directed seven/eighth-grade and high school choirs and band; produced and directed high school musical theater productions, increasing audience attendance.
Music Educator / Choir & Band Director at Sioux Falls School District
January 1, 2025 - PresentDirected seven/eighth-grade and high school choirs and band; produced and directed musical theater productions; enhanced student engagement through vocal and instrumental training; contributed to interdisciplinary arts methods courses.
Music Educator at Public School Districts
September 1, 2022 - September 1, 2025Developed and instructed interdisciplinary curriculum for K-5 general and RISE music; directed seven/eighth-grade and high school choirs and band; produced and directed high school musical theater productions, increasing audience attendance.
Music Educator at Audubon Community Schools
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2025Directed instrumental and vocal programs; improved performance quality and audience attendance; developed sound design courses; collaborated with vocalists to produce emotionally resonant music.
Music Educator at Sioux Falls School District
January 1, 2025 - PresentDirected and coordinated music education across levels; contributed to interdisciplinary arts methods courses; produced high school musical theater and concerts; enhanced audience engagement.
Founder and Director at MAD MUSIC SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
June 1, 2011 - June 1, 2020Founder and director of summer programs focusing on vocal and instrumental technique, performance, stage presence, improvisation, and music theory.
Education
Master at Morningside University
May 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024Master at Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California
May 1, 1993 - May 31, 1993Bachelor at Arizona State University
May 1, 1990 - May 31, 1990Master at Morningside University
May 1, 2024 - July 9, 2025Master at Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California
January 1, 1993 - July 9, 2025Bachelor at Arizona State University
January 1, 1990 - July 9, 2025Master at Morningside University
May 1, 2024 - July 9, 2025Master at Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California
January 1, 1993 - July 9, 2025Bachelor at Arizona State University
January 1, 1990 - July 9, 2025Master at Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1993Bachelor at Arizona State University
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1990Master at Morningside University
May 1, 2024 - December 20, 2025Master at Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California
May 1, 1993 - December 20, 2025Bachelor of Arts at Arizona State University
May 1, 1990 - December 20, 2025Master of Arts in Teaching (Art of Teaching Endorsement, Secondary Music Education) at Morningside University
January 11, 2030 - December 20, 2025Master of Music Performance at Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California
January 11, 2030 - December 20, 2025Bachelor of Arts in Performance at Arizona State University
January 11, 2030 - December 20, 2025Master of Education at Morningside University
January 11, 2030 - December 20, 2025Master of Music (Performance) at Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California
January 11, 2030 - December 20, 2025Bachelor of Arts in Performance at Arizona State University
January 11, 2030 - December 20, 2025Qualifications
Coding Certification for Digital Arts and Design Majors
January 11, 2030 - December 20, 2025Teaching License (Iowa BOEE)
June 1, 2024 - June 1, 2026Teaching License (Iowa BOEE)
June 1, 2024 - June 1, 2026Industry Experience
Education, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other
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