The Team
Zack Bjornsen, aka Mr. B
Head Director + WIG Director
Zachary P. Bjornsen is in his 16th year of teaching, spending the past 14 years at Millard West High School. Mr. B holds multiple degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Bachelor’s in Music Education and Master’s in Music. He is also beginning work on a second Master’s degree in administration through the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
During his time as a music educator, Mr. B has directed 6th, 7th & 8th grade choirs, middle school show choirs, beginning mixed high school choirs, men’s choral ensembles, women’s choral ensembles, varsity mixed high school choirs, jazz choirs, high school musicals and high school show choirs. Zack has also had the privilege to be the guest clinician at various choral festivals in Nebraska and Iowa.
Mr. B is also an accomplished performer and has been very fortunate to perform locally, nationally and overseas in Europe with various ensembles, including: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, St. Marks Basilica in Venice, The Palms in Las Vegas, along with Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, & the Nokia Theatre in New York City, among others.
Most of all Mr. Bjornsen enjoys his number one job: being a family man, spending time with his wife, Abby, and 3 daughters, Willow Jo (10) Hattie Pearl (7). And Byrdie (3).
Jordan Newhouse, aka J-New
Assistant Director + Uptown Director
Born and raised in Omaha, Jordan began studying music at a very young age and continued those studies into college. He graduated from Wheaton College (IL) with a degree in Piano Performance and a masters degree in Ministry. After ten years serving in Chicago-area churches, Jordan felt the pull back home.
J-New joined the Millard West Music staff in 2015 as the Accompanist and after a few years, received his certification, and moved into his current teaching position. In addition to his daily work with the choirs at MW, Jordan serves as Music Director of the Musical and Director of Uptown. His main goal as a music educator is that each student feels a connection to music and to each other.
Drew Firkins
Scats Director + Show Band Director
Drew Firkins is the vocal music teacher at Russell Middle School in Omaha, Nebraska, where he teaches three grade-level choirs, directs the two show choirs (Leaders of the Pack & Subwoofers), the Wolfgang a cappella group, and their annual musical production. He has directed the show bands at Millard West High School for seven years, and is now in his third year as the Swing Cats director as well. An alumnus of both Russell and Millard West, this is Drew’s 13th year of involvement within the Millard show choir programs. Outside of his school duties, he is a private vocal coach and a passionate music arranger for area show choirs and a cappella groups, and has recently gotten involved with community theatre in Omaha and has loved every second!
He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2019 with his degree in Music Education & Composition, with a minor in Music Technology.
In his free time, Drew enjoys playing video games, dance, learning new instruments, eating at Hiro 88, and spending time with his cat, Cobbler.
Christopher King
MW Music Department Accompanist
Christopher King has had an evolving musical journey dating back over 20 years from inquisitive onlooker as his mother led choir rehearsals in Hastings to a country-touring performer who enjoys sharing his love of music. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music for Vocal Performance with a minor emphasis in Piano Performance from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. While in attendance at GCU, he served the music department as Student Worker, President of Choirs, President of the Student Chapter of the National Association for Teachers of Singing, gave multiple presentations on topics ranging from Vocal Health to Succeeding as a Music Major, and performed in the university’s three choirs and Piano Ensemble.
Christopher works at Millard West High School as the music program’s accompanist and at Trinity United Methodist Church (Ralston) as the choir director. In his free time, Christopher is often found jamming out to who-knows-what musical or group, hyper-fixating on some niche topic, baking his time away, or teaching private lessons at his home studio The Royal Voice Studio.
