Jake Gassman - Director of Band (High School)

Jake Gassman was born and raised in Dubuque, IA and is a graduate of the University of Iowa where he earned a degree in tuba performance and music education. His first teaching position was as the band director in Central City, IA. While there, he oversaw all aspects of the instrumental music program for the district. He has been staff of the Charles City Community Schools since 2009 and is responsible for all high school performing ensembles in the band department, all high school band lessons, middle school jazz band, middle school percussion lessons, and shares responsibilities for middle school brass and saxophone lessons. He is an active member of the Iowa Bandmasters Association where he has served as the Floyd County chair and Jazz chair for the North Central District.

Mr. Gassman is a proud husband and father of three children. His wife also informed him that he is an animal enthusiast so now has two cats and a dog. His kin enjoys traveling and camping and hopes to visit all 50 states someday. When not making music or traveling, you can find him exploring the outdoors, playing disc golf with his son, or fiddling with the newest piece of technology he convinced his wife that he needed.

Renee Staudt Boss - Director of Band (Middle School)

Renee Staudt Boss is an alumna of Charles City Community Schools. She attended the University of Iowa earning a Bachelor of Music Degree in Flute Performance and Education. Renee has been teaching 5th - 8th grade band in the CCMS for the past seven years, and has been teaching band for more than twenty years. Outside of school she enjoys spending time with her household and friends.

Chris Paulson-Director of Orchestra

Chris Paulson is a lifelong educator and has served in the classroom as a music teacher and administrator. He was born and raised with a rich musical upbringing in Austin, Minnesota. He has earned a BA in Music Education from Luther College, an MA in Ed Leadership and CAS in Ed Leadership from Iowa State. In addition to his busy schedule as 5-12 director for the Charles City Orchestras, he teaches percussion and drumset at MacPhail Center For Music in Austin, plays percussion in the Austin Symphony Orchestra, drumset for the Austin Big Band, and percussion for shows during the summer at Cedar Summerstock in Osage. Chris works hard and enjoys his time at home with his wife of 25 years, Julie, and their shitzu, Daisy. For fun, they like to go to concerts, explore nature, and take fun rides in their convertible and Can Am motorcycle. Chris is also an active composer and arranger with dozens of titles to his name for band, jazz band, orchestra, full orchestra, and drumline. You will find his works as well as his popular snare drum method, "Learning To Drum" on his Youtube Channel-@ChristianPaulson-Music. 

 Katelyn Kluver-Director of K-5 Music & 5-6 Choir

Katelyn Kluver teaches K-5 general music and 5-6 choir at Charles City Community Schools. She is originally from Harlan, Iowa and she graduated from Wartburg College in 2023 with a Bachelor's in Music Education. While at Wartburg, she was actively involved in the top choirs, Castle Singers and Wartburg Choir. She also has a passion for theatre, serving as the Vice President of the student-led drama club, Wartburg Players, and starring in a couple Opera Workshop productions. Ms. Kluver continues her love of performing with the Charles City community choir, Charles City Singers.

 Erika Joiner-Director of Drama

I graduated from Charles City in 2015. While in school I was actively involved in speech and drama. I am also involved in our community theater, Stony Point Players.  I have been in 11 shows and performed at All-State Speech multiple times while in high school. I became the assistant drama director in 2020 and in 2023 became the head director for Charles City. I have directed 8 shows. On top of directing I also enjoy learning the technical side of theater including lights, sound, and backstage. Acting has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember and I enjoy being able to share that passion with the students. I enjoy spending time at home with my husband and our pets. In the short amount of free time I have from directing, we enjoy watching movies and playing board games