Jon (JB) Baumgartner and John Waltz are audio contractors comprising the Sound Solutions team, a professional sound system design and installation service provided by West Music. Both JB and John have extensive experience, especially as it pertains to the worship environment. They deliver their message in an easy to understand manner from consultation and through to the training process.
JB has been providing sound system designs and installs since 1994. His article,“Proper Console Gain Structure,” was featured in an April, 2004 issue of Life Sound International magazine. And JB understands sound “from both sides of the microphone,” learning from his time as a full time performer from 1978-1990. He still plays guitar, bass, pedal steel guitar, and keyboards, and even sings on occasion.

John Waltz has been professionally involved with audio since 1983. As a member of the Sound Solutions team he consults with clients, designs solutions project by project, performs installs, fully understands operating principles, and provides proper training. John has worked at West Music for 17 years and, in addition to his Sound Solutions work, he currently manages the Combo Department at West Music in Cedar Falls.

Doug Gould is passionate about guiding houses of worship and technical teams with the selection and operation of audio and music technology, and about training as it applies specifically to worship services. Over the last ten years he has been a very effective presenter at hundreds of worship conferences all over North America and beyond, including Integrity Seminars4Worship, Christian Musician Summits, Worship Arts Technology Summits, Breakforth, Camp Electric, Worship Institutes and many, many others. Doug is a veteran of the Pro Audio and Music Technology Industry for over 30 years serving in management roles at Shure, Tascam and E-Mu Systems and has been a worship leader, musician and tech at various churches for almost as long.

Erin MacGorman Moore directs four handbell choirs (including children, junior high, senior high, and adults) at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, where she is also Assistant Organist. She is the co-author of Basic Training for Bells and Basic Training 2: Rhythm Training for Ringers, both published by Choristers’ Guild. She holds music degrees from Trinity University in San Antonio and the University of Michigan, and is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) candidate at the University of Iowa.

Dan Onnen has been in the piano industry since 1974 and representing Steinway & Sons pianos since 1984. Dan’s role is primarily in management for retail locations by helping local dealers and their staff. He is currently the Midwest District Manager for Steinway. Throughout the years, he has helped thousands of individuals, churches, and institutions select the right instrument for their needs.

Matthew Penning currently serves as Director of Music Ministries at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. There he oversees a multi-generational music ministry of 10 vocal, handbell, and instrumental ensembles. He plays organ and piano for worship and directs both the adult vocal choir and advanced adult handbell ensembles. Matthew is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where he earned a BA in Music while studying organ with William Kuhlman and choral directing with Weston Noble. He also holds the Master of Sacred Music degree from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota where he furthered his church music studies with John Ferguson (organ), Robert Scholz and Anton Armstrong (choral), and Paul Westermeyer (church music).

Dr. Jason Sifford is a versatile teacher and performer with a wide range of interests and experience.  He has served as a tenured member of the Texas Tech University and El Paso Conservatory faculty, has taught in the El Paso public schools, and currently operates a private studio in Iowa City.  He maintains an active performance schedule, working in both classical and jazz/improvised genres. In addition to his teaching and performance activities, Dr. Sifford is also an active writer and composer.  He has written for American Music Teacher and Keyboard Companion and is a contributing author for Silver Burdett’s elementary music method series “Making Music with Technology.” As a composer, he is primarily interested in didactic piano literature. His original works and arrangements are published exclusively by the FJH Music Company. Dr. Sifford holds degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from Missouri State University, Louisiana State University, and the University of Michigan. In addition, he received training in both solo and collaborative arts at the Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado.