Teresa Jack is trying the title of “entrepreneur” on for size – and it fits perfectly! After a few unsuccessful attempts at college, and a stint in beauty school (where she got to wash her favorite Jonas Brother’s hair), she realized she wanted a bigger life than being behind the chair could offer her. Instagram had just come out while she was in beauty school, and she began getting hits with content creation. She then paired her strategic marketing brain with her newfound internet intelligence and started to partner with companies — including her favorite show of all time, “Outlander.” After rolling out the digital marketin
Most high school choir teachers don’t have 2,400 balloons fall from the ceiling as the grand finale of their Broadway Best concerts. But Justin Bills isn’t “most teachers.” Not only has Justin been the choir teacher at Salem Hills High School for the past 16 years, but he has also spread his musical expertise throughout happy valley and beyond. Justin led choirs in the October 2011 and April 2013 General Conferences for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and conducted in Chicago Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall and St Mark’s Basilica in Venice. This past summer marked Justin’s fifth trip to Europe as a choral director with the Utah Ambassadors of Music. Justin has also music-directed 25 shows at HCTO, Hale Centre Theater in Sandy, UVU and Sundance, with more on the way! Salem Hills was awarded the 2020 National School of Excellence Award in Fine Arts by the National Federation of High Schools — the only one in the country. Bravo!
Fully Booked I get to my office around 6 a.m. Since the majority of my workday is spent in front of students, I need all the time I can get to handle the administrative elements. I then teach and conduct the five choral ensembles at Salem Hills and teach our AP Music Theory course. After teaching a full day, I typically stay at work until 3:30 to 4 p.m. to get finished up and prep for the next day. I spend some time at home with the boys and Cecily, my wife. Most days out of the year, I’ll then spend most of the evening in rehearsal for whatever show I’m lucky enough to be working.
Plot Twist I knew I wanted to be a choir teacher since I was a sophomore in high school. So, it is weird to think I stuck with my “Plan A” in my career plans. Now that I’m about halfway through a career as a music educator, perhaps what has surprised me the most is how much I still want to learn about the craft and how much I want to keep improving.
Vital Title I love reading U.S. presidential biographies and the biographies of important figures in history.
Just My Type I am absolutely addicted to the Maple Long Johns at Lehi Country Bakery! It’s a 30-minute drive from Salem, but we make that trip several times a year on Saturday mornings. Totally worth it.
Character Backstory I’m a huge Disney Adult! I was never far from Disneyland as a kid growing up in Los Angeles, and as an adult in Utah, I try to get to Disneyland 2-3 times a year and I wish it were more!
g campaign for “Outlander” for two seasons, she started her very own company. Chelsea Reece is a dress company that has the perfect twirl. The dresses gained the attention of Netflix star, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (“Never Have I Ever”). Maitreyi wore a Chelsea Reece dress for her birthday. Less than a year later, Teresa’s company that started with $500 and a TikTok account is now valued at $6 million and growing.