Heather Nail is a graduate of Drake University, where she received her BME and master’s in education leadership. She has taught in West Des Moines since 2010. In her current position at Valley High School, she directs the a cappella auditioned junior-senior choir, Select Treble Clef Choir; Vocalese mixed varsity jazz choir; Vox Treble Varsity Jazz Choir; and Vocal Vision jazz choir. She serves as the Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter advisor for the vocal, orchestral, and band programs. In 2017 she was named the Barbershop Harmony Society/NAfME Music Educator of the Year. Her students have received recognition in Downbeat Magazine, participated in the Iowa All-State Vocal Jazz Choir, and consistently placed in the top three at the State Vocal Jazz Championships. Currently she serves as the Jazz Repertoire and Resources chair for ICDA.