Duncan Cooper - Director of Choral Activities
Mr. Cooper is proud to be joining the prolific Napa High School Choir program. Born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan, Mr. Cooper moved south to Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan for college. There, he studied Music Education and Choral Conducting with Dr. Sandra Snow, Dr. Jonathan Reed, Dr. Joshua Palkki, and Dr. Andrew Minear. He student taught with Steve Lorenz at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, MI. Recently Mr. Cooper was the Director of Choral activities at Bear Creek High School in Lakewood, Colorado where he taught 5 choir courses, as well directing vocal and instrumental music in the Fall and Spring musicals each year. His students were nominated for Outstanding Pit Orchestra in the state of Colorado, while he received a nomination for an Outstanding Achievement in Musical Direction. Additionally, his students at Bear Creek recently performed with the touring cast of Dear Evan Hansen in Denver, Colorado. He is thrilled to become a part of the Napa community, along with his partner Emma and their dog, Pajamas.
Dave Ruane - Director of Vocal Music Workshop & Accompanist
Mr. Ruane has been involved in Music Education for over 30 years. Studying piano in Napa in his youth, he then moved on to study piano and theory at The San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Conservatory at UOP as a Piano Performance Major. He currently teaches over 20 students in his piano studio. Mr. Ruane accompanied the Napa High Choirs for over 8 years while his children were attending Napa High. He also served on the Board of the Choral Boosters and as board president. Dave took over Vocal Music workshop over 5 years ago and produces one of Northern California’s largest a cappella events, A Cappella Extravaganza, hosted by the Napa High Vocal Music Workshop. The event is held at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville, CA every January, selling out to a crowd of 1200 people for the last 5 years. He also plays piano professionally throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, as a solo artist and an accompanist.