MASON CITY, Iowa — North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) has announced Jared Barnes as the new Director of the NIACC Performing Arts and Leadership Series.

A lifelong resident of North Iowa, NIACC says Barnes's passion for the performing arts was nurtured by the local community's rich cultural resources. Barnes, a graduate of Newman Catholic High School, studied music at NIACC and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wartburg College.

He has spent the past 17 years teaching instrumental music to students from grades five through twelve. His ensembles have consistently received top ratings at state contests. In addition to teaching, Barnes has been an active performer and conductor. He has also served as the Music Director for nearly 20 musical theater productions at Cedar

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