The Forest Lake High School Music Department teaches a variety of band, choir and orchestra courses and ensembles to 9th grade through 12th grade.
Music Directors
John Guidry, Director of Choirs
John Guidry is thoroughly enjoying his second year at Forest Lake Area High School. Before coming to Forest Lake he taught choir for seven years in Delano and Stillwater. John grew up in Pennsylvania and came to Minnesota to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. His choirs have performed at the Minnesota American Choral Directors Association State Convention twice and have collaborated with the St. Croix Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus. He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as a member of the Minnesota Chorale and is the choir director at Twin Cities Bible Church in Maplewood. John lives in Lino Lakes with his wife and their three boys.
Dave Livermore, Director of Orchestras
Dave Livermore found his place at Forest Lake High School in 1998 after a few years in the business sector as a manager of a music store. Spending much of his time at FLAHS teaching orchestra, he also started the guitar program, and taught Jazz and Band. He holds a degree in Music Education from Augustana University in Sioux Falls. During his years in college, he played saxophone, steel drums, acoustic, electric and bass guitar, and the double bass. He was also in collegiate choirs, musical theater and opera theater as well as being a singer/songwriter in coffee houses and a member of a rock band. His life outside of school is very busy with his wife Laura (who also teaches in the district) and their four children. He is involved with church, performing on weekends, and building guitars in his woodshop at home.
Barry Zumwalde, Director of Bands
Barry Zumwalde has taught in the Forest Lake Area Schools since 2009. His responsibilities include teaching concert bands, jazz band, small ensembles, pep band, and pit orchestra. He previously taught at North Branch Area High School for nine years. He is currently the music director of the Centennial Community Band, a position he has held since 2013. Barry holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education and Trombone Performance from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas. He also serves as President of the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA). Barry lives in Forest Lake with his wife, who is also a music teacher, and their three children.