Judy Sagen

About Judy Sagen

Judy Sagen retired from School District 196 of Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Eagan Minnesota in the spring of 2011, after teaching choral music in the same district for 37 years. Her last position was at Eastview High School in Apple Valley. She received her undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Piano Performance from Drake University, and her Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. While teaching in District 196, Judy’s Concert Choirs and Women’s Choirs were featured performers at both the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) state and regional conferences, and the Minnesota Music Education Association (MMEA). She has served as MN-ACDA President, R&S Chair for Women’s Choirs, Metro-East Chair, and has been a presenter at numerous state conferences and Summer Dialogues. She also held the position of MMEA’s Vocal Vice-President. She was named the 2003-04 Minnesota Choral Director of the Year by the MN American Choral Director’s Association, and was selected by the Minnesota Music Education Association as the 2009 MN Music Educator of the Year. In February of 2013 she was selected to conduct the Minnesota ACDA State 9-10 Honor Choir, and in April of 2013, she was the recipient of the South Suburban Service Award for her dedication and service to the South Suburban Conference. Judy was the 2017 recipient of Rosemount High School’s Legacy Award. Upon retirement, Judy worked for two years at the University of Minnesota serving as an Instructional Artist in Residence. Judy worked as an adjunct professor at The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. In its 11th season, Judy originated and serves as Artistic Director of the Minnesota Valley Women’s Chorale, a 90 member women’s community choir south of the river. In August of 2018, she conducted the Director’s Chorus at the Summer ACDA Conference at St. Olaf College, and in 2020 Judy received the American Choral Director’s Association’s F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to choral music in Minnesota.