Ann Johnson
Ann Johnson is the Director of Choral Activities at Grove City High School.
Ms. Johnson received her Bachelor of Vocal Music Education (B.M.E.) from Ohio Wesleyan University and Master of Music Education (M.M.) and Kodaly Certification from The Kodaly Institute at Capital University. Her career has spanned many facets in and out of the classroom. She is an Adjudicator for the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) and has served on the Ohio Choral Directors Association (OCDA) State Board. Ms. Johnson also serves as an active clinician for concert and show choirs throughout the state of Ohio.
The concert choirs under the direction of Ms. Johnson have consistently received Superior ratings at regional and state level OMEA Adjudicated events. Her choirs have been selected to perform with BalletMet, the OMEA Professional Development Conference and Carnegie Hall, Miami University of Ohio, Bowling Green State University, The Ohio State University, the Ohio Choral Directors Association summer conference and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The show choirs she has directed have consistently placed Grand Champions of their divisions and overall as well as Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Band and numerous other caption awards. Ann has served as a Presider for the OMEA Professional Development Conference and served as a Regional Conductor for the OMEA All-State Choir for multiple years. In 2022 she made her conducting debut with the GCHS Advanced Choirs at Carnegie Hall. She recently served on the selection committee for the show choir performing division for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Conference. She has been a finalist nominee for the Columbus Symphony Music Educator award and the Columbus Parent Educator of the year award.
Ms. Johnson has had the privilege to be a part of the artistic faculty for the Ohio Educational Theatre Associations (OEdTA) State Production of "All Shook Up" which she traveled to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. Choral groups under Ms. Johnson's direction have performed in New York City, Chicago, Walt Disney World, Cedar Point. Ms. Johnson enjoys serving as a substitute conductor for the Columbus Children's Chorus New World Singers. She also spent a summer in a four week choral conductors seminar at the Juilliard School in New York City.
Prior to her appointment at Grove City High School, Ms. Johnson was the Director of Choirs at Whitehall Yearling High School in Whitehall, Ohio and Buckeye Valley High School in Delaware, Ohio. While at both schools she grew the programs in numbers. Ann began the competitive show choir programs as well as enhanced the concert choir programs to advanced levels at OMEA events receiving consistent Superior ratings.
Ms. Johnson continues to enjoy training in dance in New York City and Columbus. She has choreographed for numerous organizations around Central Ohio throughout the years as well as our own Touch of Class and Class Act.
Brennan Pendrake
Accompanist / Assistant Director
Mr. Pendrake received his M.M. in Choral Conducting from The Ohio State University.
Currently, he works as a pianist, vocal coach, and private instructor in the greater Columbus area.
He accompanies the choirs at Grove City High School, Granville High School and Olentangy Orange High School.
Brennan is the Minister of Music at Just North United Church of Christ.
He is also a published composer and arranger of a cappella music for high school and collegiate ensembles.
Nick Denino
Assistant Director
Nick Denino is the 6-8 Vocal Music Director at Beulah Park Middle & Park Street Intermediate, and the Assistant Show Choir Director at Grove City High School.
Mr. Denino earned his Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E) from The Ohio State University. Prior to coming to Grove City, Nick was the 6-12 Choir & High School Show Choir Director at River Valley Local Schools.
Nick is an alumni of Grove City High School (2019) and was a member of Touch of Class.
At the age of nine, Denino began his vocal singing journey by following his parents’ footsteps into the world of stage performance. He started singing with his father and grandfather in The Alliance, a Columbus-based barbershop chorus. In his 15 years as a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, Nick has performed and competed with many ensembles in district and international events. Today, Nick is an active member of Prism Barbershop Chorus. Additionally, Nick is the bass section leader of the Cambridge Choir at First Community Church.
In his free time, Nick enjoys gaming, following football and hockey, and spending time with his loved ones and pets.
Mr. Denino is excited to be back in Grove City, working with his alma mater. He can’t wait to make music & memories with his students and the Grove City community for years to come.
Shane Coe
Choreographer
Mr. Coe is a freelance choreographer, adjudicator, and clinician based in Columbus, Ohio.
He graduated from Teays Valley High School where he was a part of the award-winning "Prominent Rendition."
Shane is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Popular Culture and a minor in music. Shane also studied music education for four years while at BGSU.
He currently choreographs for many show choirs across the country and has won many best choreography awards working with these groups. Shane has also choreographed for collegiate operas, musicals, a capella groups, and barbershop choruses.
He was a member of the BGSU Men's Chorus as well as a founding member of the pop a capella group, the HeeBeeBGs. While with the HeeBeeBGs, he helped the group with the best choreography at ICCA. In his free time, Shane enjoys reading and hanging out with his dog, Wrigley.
Choreographer
Eric J. Hayes, Jr., is a professional performing artist, choreographer, arts educator, and
entrepreneur from Indianapolis.
Selected performance and teaching credits include various regional theatre, commercial, and industrial work. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indiana Pacers & Fever, Ideal Talent Group, Hoosier Lottery, The Indianapolis 500 Festival & Parade, Super Bowl XLVI, Glam Tie Media, Big Wave
Visual Concepts and numerous workshops, camps, and intensives.
Since 2005, he has worked with high school, middle school, and college show choirs as a choreographer camp; clinician. His choreography and staging have been performed at over 50 schools and 75+ ensembles. He has adjudicated show choir competitions in ten states. He continues to be passionate about teaching life’s lessons and creating memorable moments through music, dance, and performing.
Eric is the founder and Creative Director of Project 360° Xposure and 5678 Apparel. A tandem outreach organization that benefits students in scholastic arts programs. For more information
and to support, check out www.5678apparel.com
Choreographer
Marah Cover is a choreographer based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Beginning in 2013, Marah has worked the show choir circuit, creating choreography and staging for many show choirs. Her love for song and dance blends well with her many talents to create award-winning shows throughout the Midwest.
Marah spent her early years refining her talents, training in different genres, including ballet, contemporary, gymnastics, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, tap, and musical theater. Her extensive dance background includes 15 years of training, dancing, and performing. She then spent four years as the resident lead ballet and technique instructor at Inspire DDS.
Marah is an alumni of Franklin Central and was a member of both show choirs, High Voltage and The FC Singers.
Marah is a graduate of Ball State University, where she majored in education and minored in dance while participating on a student led dance team.
Marah serves as the brand administrator of 5678 Apparel and Project 360 Xposure, an arts education and outreach program benefitting students in underserved areas. Working with these talented youths is both a privilege and a continuous motivating source for her craft. You can find more information at www.5678apparel.com.
Marah Cover
Eric Hayes
Cody Hawkins
Combo Director
Mr. Cody Hawkins is a K-4 Music Teacher at Highland Park Elementary School, in Grove City. He is also the Head Boys/Girls Tennis Coach at Central Crossing High School
Mr. Hawkins earned his Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E) from The Ohio State University, and Master of Educational Leadership (M.S.Ed) from Youngstown State University. During his time at OSU, he was a proud member of The Ohio State University Marching Band (TBDBITL) for 5 years, winning a national championship along the way.
In his free time, Mr. Hawkins is an avid golfer, blues/rock guitar player, and loves cooking.
He appreciates the opportunity to work with such an accomplished group of musicians, and do his part to contribute to the tradition of excellence that the Grove City High School music program has maintained for so long!