Michael Gookin, Associate Music Director

Michael Gookin is a choral conductor, pianist, and music educator. He has taught choral music at West Central Valley Schools and Grinnell High School, and currently serves as the accompanist for the Des Moines Choral Society. He has also music directed and conducted for semi-professional musical theater companies like Way Off Broadway (Fairfield) and American Gothic Music Festival (Ottumwa).

Michael’s musical journey began at age four, studying piano with Julie Hanshaw and Betty Meyer in Fairfield, Iowa, and later with Joel Brown at Iowa Wesleyan College. While attending Fairfield High School, he gained recognition as the Iowa All-State Band Pianist in 2011 and frequently accompanied school choirs and jazz ensembles.

He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Northern Iowa, where he studied piano under Professor Sean Botkin. During his time at UNI, Michael served as the collaborative pianist for the UNI Singers, the Varsity Men’s Glee Club, and the Concert Chorale, performing throughout the U.S.—including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Omaha—as well as internationally in Estonia, Iceland, and Norway.

In 2015, Michael was recognized as a Promising Artist of the 21st Century through a prestigious young artist program in Costa Rica. He has participated in conducting masterclasses with notable figures such as Alice Parker, Dr. André J. Thomas, and Dr. Bruce Chamberlain. He has also shared his expertise as a guest lecturer on “Music Curriculum in the Classroom” at both the University of New Hampshire and the University of Northern Iowa.

Email: michael@heartlandyouthchoir.org