Dan Schunks

Dan Schunks has been a music educator in St. Francois County since 1977. He was the band director at North County High School from 1987-2010. Previous to this, he taught at West County Schools from 1977-1987, and Bell City schools from 1976-1977. Born in Fort Crowder in Neosho, Mo, he graduated from Crystal City High School, attended Mineral Area College, and graduated from Murray State University in 1976 with a BME degree.

He was awarded the Outstanding Jazz Educator of the Year for the state of Missouri in 2015; Outstanding music educator of the year for the East Central District in 2010; Walmart teacher of the year in 2004; past president of the Southeast Missouri Band Association. He also serves as a clinician and adjudicator for jazz, concert, and marching band bands.

Dan is an original member of the MAC Kicks Band and has been its director since 1993. He will be returning to conduct the Mineral Area Community Band this fall and had previously directed the group from 2008-2020.

He and his wife Ellen live in Farmington and they are the proud parents of Nathan and Phillip Schunks. They have resided in Farmington for the past 37 years along with their dog faithful Nala; the queen of the house, their cat Miss Peep, and several other less appreciative cats.