PRESS RELEASE: ESTHERVILLE PERFORMING ARTS CONCERT SERIES BRINGS PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN SHAUN JOHNSON TO LOCAL STUDENTS

ESTHERVILLE, Iowa — The Estherville Performing Arts Series at Iowa Lakes Community College is creating an opportunity for local high school students to learn directly from a nationally recognized professional musician when Iowa native and Emmy® Award-winning performer Shaun Johnson visits Estherville on Thursday, October 1. Funding was provided by the ELC Patrons of the Fine Arts Cultural Enrichment Grant.

Johnson, who will return to Estherville on October 25 to perform Shaun Sings Country – ’90s Edition as part of the Estherville Performing Arts Series, will spend time working with Estherville Lincoln Central High School music students during his October 1 visit.

Johnson will lead a clinic with the ELC High School Concert Choir from 9:46 to 10:31 a.m. and work with the Jazz Choir from 3 to 3:30 p.m. in the ELC High School Choir Room. The clinics provide students with an opportunity to work directly with an accomplished professional performer and gain insight from Johnson’s decades of experience in the music industry.

The visit also reflects the broader impact of the Estherville Performing Arts Series and Iowa Lakes Community College’s commitment to bringing arts and cultural opportunities to the region. By connecting visiting performers with local schools and community partners, the series extends the value of professional performances beyond the stage and creates meaningful educational experiences for area students.

Johnson is an Iowa native, Emmy® Award winner, and longtime frontman of Tonic Sol-fa, with whom he toured nationally for more than two decades. During that time, he also lived and worked in Nashville, writing songs, touring, and collaborating with artists in the music industry. His recent work includes a Top 5 album on the Billboard® charts and appearances on HBO and NBC.

Johnson will return to Estherville on Sunday, October 25, for Shaun Sings Country – ’90s Edition. The live show celebrates the artists and songs that defined 1990s country music, including music made famous by Alan Jackson, George Strait, Tim McGraw, and Travis Tritt.

 Rather than a traditional tribute show, the performance combines familiar songs with Johnson’s firsthand perspective from his years working in the industry, offering audiences stories and insight into the music, songwriting, and culture surrounding one of country music’s most memorable eras.

Johnson is joined by a seasoned band featuring David Stanoch on drums, Louis Stanoch on guitar, and Jeremy Boettcher on bass.