MEET THE CCHS ART EDUCATORS
Lauren Johnson
Middle & High School Art Educator | Theatre Director
lauren.johnson@k12.nd.us
Lauren graduated from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, with a BFA double major in art education, studio art and sculpture.
A 2011 Central Cass graduate, Lauren participated in choir, swing choir, honor’s choir, band and musical theatrical productions of Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Sound of Music, Bye Bye, Birdie and Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre productions of Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, Orphan Train and I Believe in Make Believe. She was actively involved in the Missoula Children’s Theatre Performing Arts Camps in Missoula, MT for 6 years in high school and the Rural Cass Community Theatre’s summer production of Godspell. As a college student, Lauren performed with the MSUM Jazz choir. Johnson’s director debut was with James and the Giant Peach performed by 7-12th grade Central Cass students. Les Miserables is Lauren’s favorite Broadway production.
Lauren is a member of the Plains Art Education Committee and served on the West Fargo Art Advisory Committee. She co-founded a tri-college arts’ organization, has volunteered for multiple community art projects and has displayed works of art in various art shows. She co-curated two sculpture shows at the Rourke Art Gallery in Moorhead. Johnson’s sculpture won Best in Show and she received a Faculty Choice Award at MSUM art shows.
“I appreciate all art for what it is! I love anything that plays with color, shape, or form,” says Johnson.
Lauren lives in Casselton with her husband, Dylan, and two step-children, Easton and Blayne.
Brandon Noffze
Director of Bands
brandon.m.noffze@k12.nd.us
Brandon Noffze is the Director of Bands at Central Cass. He received a Bachelors of Science degree in Instrumental Music Education from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.
In college, Brandon was actively involved in band, jazz band, choir, jazz combo, commercial ensemble, pit orchestra, pep band and musical theater ensembles. He was the principal saxophonist in both band and jazz band from 2016-2020. After college, Brandon played in several jazz groups, including the Fargo-Moorhead Jazz Orchestra, FM Big Bop Band, Dakota Jazz Band, Myron Sommerfeld Jazz Band, Dempsey’s Big Band, Sidestreet Big Band and FM Boogie Knights. He is a substitute member of the Lake Agassiz Wind Symphony.
Noffze is published composer and arranger. He is involved with music scenes of jazz, experimental, classical and local DIY. He has recorded a variety of albums. Brandon plays everything from flute to bass guitar! He considers himself a woodwind specialist, with his primary instrument being saxophone.
Brandon’s favorite musicians include Jack White, Cannonball Adderley, Pharoah Sanders, The Contortionist, Meshuggah and Aaron Copland. Performing with Chuck Findley, the most recorded trumpet player, is one of Brandon’s memorable musical experiences. His favorite artist is MC Escher and favorite Broadway productions are West Side Story and Dear Evan Hansen.
“I believe that the arts teach discipline, team work, goal setting, relationship building, responsibility, respect, emotional maturity and many more things that are valuable to everyone, not just artists and musicians. The arts are a place where you are free to come as you are, be yourself, and leave better than you came,” says Noffze.
