Jenison Public Schools

Founded in 1845, Jenison is a Class A public school district, located about ten miles west of Grand Rapids. The Jenison Public School District has outstanding and innovative educational programs that serve the needs of more than 5200 students. The district’s reputation for educational excellence results from the tradition of an outstanding teaching staff, eager student learners, appreciative community supporters, and expansive curricular and co-curricular opportunities. The district maintains a highly regarded Early Childhood Center which offers several daycare, preschool and K+ programs. There are five elementary schools which include students through 6th grade. The Junior High nurtures around 750 7th and 8th graders, and the High School educates over 1500 students. Throughout the last decade, Jenison High School has earned Newsweek’s “Best High Schools in America” recognition seven times. Jenison High School has been designated a “GRAMMY Foundation Signature School” three times, and the Jenison community has consistently been named one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” by NAMM for over ten years.

The Jenison Band Staff

Dave Zamborsky, Director of Bands

Dave Zamborsky is the Director of Bands at Jenison High School. Prior to his arrival in Jenison in 2002, he taught for eight years as the Director of Bands at Parkway West High School (his alma mater) near St. Louis, Missouri. Dave earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University and his Master of Music Education degree at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Dave’s teaching responsibilities at Jenison include Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and Marching Band, as well as shared responsibilities team-teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade band students. In his free time, Dave enjoys running, reading, composing and arranging.

Lauren Heiden, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS

Lauren started working at Jenison in 2025 as an Assistant Director of Bands for the High School. She earned a Bachelors of Music Education from Grand Valley State University. At GVSU, Lauren was involved in the Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and Laker Marching Band. Lauren serves as the LSM West Indoor Winds Ensemble director and the holds a position on the Carolina Crown Drum Major, Leadership and Clinic Staff. Lauren’s teaching responsibilities at Jenison include team-teaching the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band students, Concert Band, the Jazz Bands, indoor band in the fall, and assisting with the marching band. In her free time, Lauren enjoys cooking, reading, and running.

Tanner West, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS

Tanner West serves as Assistant Director of Bands at Jenison High School.  Prior to teaching at Jenison, Tanner was the Director of Bands at White House Heritage High School in White House, Tennessee from 2022-2025.  Tanner earned Bachelor of Music Education The University of Tennessee.  At UT, Tanner was involved with the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, and Tuba Ensemble. Tanner’s teaching responsibilities at Jenison include the Symphonic Band, Jazz Bands, assisting with the Marching Band, as well as team-teaching the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands.  When not involved with music, Tanner enjoys watching sports, trying different restaurants, and spending time with his dog, Ballard.

Anne Gembis, junior high band director

Anne Gembis began teaching band at Jenison Junior High School in 2005. Anne earned her Bachelor in Music Education from Western Michigan University and holds a Masters Degree in Music from Southern Oregon University. Anne’s primary responsibilities in the Jenison Bands are the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands. The Jenison Junior High Bands consistently receive top ratings at festivals. When Anne is not teaching, she enjoys running, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her husband, Zach, and two young daughters, Claire and Lydia.

Marc palma, junior high band director

Marc Palma began teaching at Jenison in 2017, after teaching for 19 years elsewhere. Prior to Jenison, Marc taught at Lakewood, Forest Hills Central, and Sparta. Marc earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University and his Masters of Music Education degree from Western Michigan University. While at CMU, he was a DMP recording artist with the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble. Marc’s teaching responsibilities in the Jenison Bands are team teaching the 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands, high school Percussion Ensemble, as well as a fall band for high school students. He and his wife Earon have two children; Mia and Evan. Besides teaching and performing music, he loves spending time with family, watching and playing sports, and being involved at his church.