Long-time north-central Iowa music educator named as news director of NIACC Performing Arts & Leadership Series

MASON CITY — North Iowa Area Community College has announced their new director of the NIACC Performing Arts and Leadership Series.

Jared Barnes is a Newman Catholic graduate who continued his educational journey studying music at NIACC, where he was active in concert band, jazz band, concert choir and NIACC Singers. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wartburg College in Waverly.

For the past 17 years, he has taught instrumental music to students in grades five through 12, with his concert bands at Newman and Northwood-Kensett receiving the honor of being selected as the Class 1A Honor Band for the Iowa Bandmasters Association annual conference in 2011 and 2019 respectively.

Barnes has also been active as a performer, conductor and music director, which also includes serving as Music Director for nearly 20 musical theater productions with the Cedar Summerstock Theatre in Osage.

The NIACC Performing Arts & Leadership Series offers Tony Award winning shows, Grammy Award winning artists, comedy and internationally acclaimed speakers.