Dan Zollars was raised in Hutchinson and received the
BME and MME from Wichita State University, where he
majored in voice and played football. After graduation,
he recieved his Navigator Wings in the Air Force. Zollars
taught in Caldwell, then in Newton where he taught
choral music and coached football. He then taught 25
years at Shawnee Mission East High School, teaching
choral music, coaching football, and serving as
Coordinator of the Division of Fine Arts. Zollars was
president of KsACDA and held several positions in
KMEA. His choirs have performed at KMEA
conventions, the Kansas Association of School Boards
Convention, The KMTA-KsACDA convention, and the
UMKC Choral Festivals. Zollars received the
Outstanding Young Educator Award from the Newton
Jaycees, the KsACDA Harry Robert Wilson Award, and
the Cynthia O'Connell Foundation Award for Excellence
in Teaching from the Shawnee Mission School District.