Meet Our Directors
Peter Westphalen enjoys his time as Director of Choirs at Washington High School where he directs the Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers as well as Momentum and Vivace Show Choirs. It is with tremendous pride that Mr. Westphalen
returns to teach at his very own alma mater. Prior to teaching at Washington, Mr. Westphalen spent 13 years as the Director of Choirs at Prairie High School and has also taught at City High School, Mt. Pleasant High School and West Branch High
School. He received his undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and has done extensive graduate work at the University of Iowa with Professor William Hatcher. Mr. Westphalen is an active member of the American Choral Directors
Association. Over the years, Mr. Westphalen’s choirs have achieved great success being invited to many prestigious choral festivals and earning the highest ratings at state and national contests, including many “Grand Championship” and caption awards. In his spare time, Mr. Westphalen enjoys playing golf with his dad and friends. Mr. Westphalen’s pride and joy is his family. His lovely wife, Dr. Melinda Westphalen, is on the piano faculty at Grinnell College and Mt. Mercy University. They have three children: Jonahand twins Emma and Mara, who all attended Washington High School.
Amy Farley, Director of Choral Music at Washington High School, received her Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa and her Masters of Music Education from Anderson University in South Carolina. At UNI while studying voice in the studio of Dr. Leslie Morgan, she sang in many choirs and participated in various operas. She also was invited to premier a work by David Childs at Carnegie Hall in 2011. Mrs. Farley cannot be more proud to be teaching at Washington High. While teaching at Washington, Mrs. Farley directs various choral ensembles, Celebration and A Slice of Jazz. She also enjoys her time as musical director each fall. In Cedar Rapids, Amy has performed at the Opus Café, Theatre Cedar Rapids, and with the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale. She is excited to continue her involvement in the community.
Mrs. Farley is a member of the American Choral Directors Association. Mrs. Farley lives in Coralville with her wonderful husband Matt and three children, Lucas, Clara, and Jameson.
