Mr. Baker
Director of Choral Music
Sam Baker is the Director of Choral Activities at Lake Park High School, in Roselle, Illinois. Mr. Baker holds a Master of Music Degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Elmhurst University, where he graduated with honors. During his undergraduate career, he served as the Student Director of Late Night Blues, the internationally-recognized vocal jazz ensemble at Elmhurst University, studying under the highly-acclaimed director, Professor Susan Moninger. Mr. Baker completed his final graduate project on “Developing and Implementing a High School Vocal Jazz Curriculum.”
Mr. Baker has 15 years of experience teaching at the high school level. Before working at Lake Park High School, Mr. Baker taught at Lyons Township High School District 204 in LaGrange, Illinois and Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 in Zion, Illinois. Mr. Baker prioritizes touring experiences for his singers, who get to perform across the United States. He has taken his choral groups to San Francisco, Orlando, New Orleans, Nashville, New York City, and throughout the midwest. His students have had opportunities to perform at a wide variety of venues such as university campuses, theme parks, sporting events, private parties, churches, retirement homes, village community events, K-12 schools, public libraries, and more. He values collaborating with other music educators to provide unique experiences for students.
At Lake Park High School, Mr. Baker has grown the vocal music program to include three traditional choirs and two vocal jazz choirs during the school day. He has been vocal director for numerous musicals over the past 15 years. Some of his past shows include, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Ragtime, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Beauty & the Beast, The Addams Family, Grease, Seussical and many more.
“He authentically enjoys the opportunity to assist singers of all ages and abilities grow in their technique and passion.”
In addition to teaching and directing musicals, Mr. Baker is a professional musician who performs for public and private events across the Midwest as a dueling pianist. He enjoys leading worship on vocals, guitar, piano, and bass guitar on teams across Chicagoland, such as Willow Creek Church in Huntley, Illinois. He is an active choral music clinician and adjudicator for competitions, summer camps, and special events. He authentically enjoys the opportunity to assist singers of all ages and abilities grow in their technique and passion. Outside of the school day, Mr. Baker enjoys basketball, golf, travel, the Packers, and hanging out with his wife Kelly, children Paige and Levi, and labradoodle Annie.
Accompanist
and Assistant to the Music Department
Mrs. Moon
Mrs. Aria Moon has been the accompanist and music department assistant at Lake Park High School since 2014.
She often joins local middle school choirs for concerts, and leads Lake Park's chess team. Previous music experience includes a variety of church positions and several years as the accompanist for Grace Notes in West Chicago. Her previous educational experience includes working as a brain trainer at LearningRx.
Mrs. Moon graduated from Wheaton College in 2009 with a Bachelor's in Music Theory and Composition. Prior to her time at Wheaton, she was homeschooled and lived in Virginia. She strives to serve as a good example and to provide all her students with an enjoyable, worthwhile choir experience.
“She strives to serve as a good example and to provide all her students with an enjoyable, worthwhile choir experience.”