Last week, two Northwest Nazarene University music instructors were inducted into the IMEA Hall of Fame during the Idaho Music Educators Association and All-State Honor Group Conference on the NNU campus. Those instructors were Quinn Van Paepeghem and Shirley Van Paepeghem, director of NNU’s Northwesterners ensemble and director of the University Children’s Choir, respectively.
“I have witnessed many individuals receive this award who have had a profound impact on my learning and teaching,” Shirley said. “It is with great humility and honor that I have been chosen for this award. My ultimate goal is to help others find joy in music, whether it be for a short or long period of time. If I have accomplished this, then I am fulfilled.”
Shirley Van Paepeghem received her BA in Music Education from Boise State and her Master in Integrating the Arts in Curriculum through Lesley University. Her teaching experience includes secondary choral music, K-8 general music and private voice. Her area of teaching expertise is the young voice through adolescence. She is currently at Northwest Nazarene University where she teaches Private Voice and is the director of the University Children’s Choir.
Quinn Van Paepeghem has been teaching for over 40 years. He received a Master of Music Education from University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Music from Boise State. His teaching experience includes secondary choral music, piano, vocal jazz and guitar. Currently, he is at Northwest Nazarene University where he teaches Vocal Jazz, Choral Methods, Jazz Guitar, Jazz Combos and Music Education.
Quinn and Shirley currently serve as the IMEA State Mentorship Program Outreach Coordinators. As such, they tour the State of Idaho, meeting with mentors and mentees and helping to coordinate the program.
The Idaho Music Educators Association, Inc. is a nonprofit educational organization of current and former music teachers and administrators across Idaho in public/private schools, universities and colleges, including private studio teachers and music educators living in retirement. IMEA is a state affiliate of NAfME, the National Association for Music Education, an 85,000-member organization representing music educators across the United States.