Trekorda Musicians

Trekorda has numerous musicians on standby ready to assist you at your event. Click on the thumbnails above or use the arrows to view the bios of a few of our top performers.

John Powelson

Little Elm, TX
Adjudicator, Viola, Violin

Mr. Powelson is a 20+ year veteran of orchestra classrooms in Texas, North Carolina, Arizona, and Washington state. A graduate of the University of Washington school of music in Seattle, he has not only taught orchestra but also has performed regularly in various orchestras and ensembles. Most recently, Mr. Powelson teaches at Cockrill Middle School in McKinney, where his orchestras regularly receive top ratings at UIL and other local competitions. As a performer, he has played in over 100 weddings throughout the DFW area and has extensive experience performing in traditional and contemporary church services as a violinist and violist.

Mary Jane Phillips

FORT WORTH, TX
Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical)

Mary Jane Phillips taught middle school choral music in Texas for 29 years before retiring from the classroom in 2018. She taught in Katy, Garland, Arlington, Birdville and Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISDs. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the North Texas Children’s Chorale, and is also a choral consultant, clinician, adjudicator, private voice teacher and author. Ms. Phillips graduated cum laude from Texas Christian University with a Bachelors’ Degree in Music Education. She has served as a UIL Contest Chair and a TMEA JH/MS Region Secretary and Region Chair. She has served TCDA as the chairperson of the Scholarship, Hospitality, Ballot and Ways and Means committees and is also a past Secretary/Treasurer of TCDA. She has presented workshops on the male and female adolescent changing voice, recruiting, literature selection, beginning the school year and sight reading pedagogy for school districts, colleges and professional organizations across the United States. She has authored three books – “SOS – Simplifying Our Sightreading” (co-authored with Laura Farnell), “Sightreading 101” and “Making Sightreading Fun!”. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her incredibly patient educator husband, Troy and precious 18-year-old daughter, Zoe, who is an amazing musical theater singer, dancer and actress.

Matthew Broome

Flower Mound, TX
Bass (Electric), Clinician (Band), Guitar (Acoustic), Percussion (Drumset), Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor), Tuba, Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Matthew Broome was born in Sumter, South Carolina, and, being the son of Salvation Army Pastors, moved around in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Matt graduated from the University of Georgia in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, and began working with The Salvation Army as an Assistant Divisional Music Director for the Georgia Division. In 2008, Matt relocated to Dallas with a promotion to Deputy Divisional Music Director for the Texas Division. He took leadership of the department in July of 2015. In 2016, Matt completed his Mater of Music Education Degree from Boston University. Matt is the bass trombonist for the Southern Territorial Band, but also excels in contemporary worship, playing guitar, bass, and drums. Matt leads the choir and praise band at The Salvation Army Church in Lewisville.

Garrett Hayes

Denton, TX
Cello

Garrett Hayes is a North Texas-based cellist currently studying at the University of North Texas. He grew up in Arlington, Texas and began playing as part of AISD's orchestra program. He has been playing as a freelance cellist in North Texas for 3 years, and his experience spans large and small ensemble playing. His primary playing experience is in orchestral and string quartet performance.

Brian Lindsey

Dallas, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Brian Lindsey is a well-rounded percussionist out of the DFW area that is looking for his start in the community theatre scene!

Dale Daniels

Dallas, TX
Clinician (Choir), Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Vocalist (Classical)

Dale Daniels holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of South Alabama and a Master of Music Degree from SMU. He has directed and accompanied choirs and instrumentalists for over thirty years. He is a Staff Accompanist at Dallas College-Richland Campus and Organist/Choirmaster at a local church.

Joel Bourdier

Frisco, TX
Bass (Electric), Composing/Arranging, Transcribing, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Kalista Nguyen

Cypress, TX
Transcribing, Viola, Violin, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Kalista is a violist/vocalist and music education major at the University of North Texas. She has been studying music since she was five; starting on violin and piano. With nine years of experience on viola, and four years of voice she is passionate about spreading the power of music. Kalista has coached small ensembles, taught lessons in her hometown of Houston, Texas, is a past member of the Lone Star String Ensemble, Symphony North of Houston, the University of North Texas Concert Orchestra, teaching assistant with the University of North Texas String Project, and worship/av leader at Eagle Pointe Church. Currently, she is a violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, and voice teacher at Da Capo Music in Keller and Da Capo Music in Denton. An active performer and teacher she enjoys transcribing music for herself and her students and finds her success in their love of music.

Nathan Smith

Dallas, TX
Piano Technician

Christine Bouton

flower mound, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Christian Gonzalez

North Richland Hills, TX
Clarinet, Composing/Arranging, Flute, Oboe, Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor), Transcribing

Paula-Beth Toller

New Caney, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Mrs. Toller graduated summa cum laude from Blackburn College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She was the winner of Western Illinois University’s Concerto Competition as well as the 2nd place winner of Ouachita Baptist University’s Virginia Queen Piano Competition. She was the first chair flutist for ensembles at both WIU and OBU. She has been teaching private piano lessons for 25 years and has been a pianist, vocalist and flutist for traditional and contemporary worship services at various churches for the last 20 years. She also has experience directing children’s choirs throughout Texas, Arkansas, and Illinois. Mrs. Toller has been the vocal director for 20 musicals through Stars Theater Company and CYT Houston, and she also teaches beginner through advanced vocal classes for CYT. Paula-Beth has served as an accompanist for college students, UIL events, junior high and high school choirs and band students.

Stephanie Hawkins

Cedar Hill, TX
Percussion (Drumset)

Stephanie Hawkins has been playing drum for over 15 years. She is employed at Trinity Harvest Church.

Broadway Plus

New York, NY
Clinician (Band), Clinician (Choir), Clinician (Orchestra)

Broadway Plus takes audiences beyond the ticket. Our experts are here to inspire performers and students by pairing them with Broadway artists for in-person and virtual experiences. We tailor Q&As, workshops, concerts, and customizable events to enhance your theatrical programming. We can pair you with an artist on a national tour when the show is nearby. They’d come to your school for a Q&A or workshop in Group Dance, Group Acting, Group Voice, or Acting Through Song. If you’re currently rehearsing a musical, we’ll pair you with a Broadway artist who has performed in or is familiar with the show. They’ll work with your cast and give direct feedback on scenes and songs.

Ian Gill

Richardson, TX
Bass (Electric), Clinician (Choir), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Ukulele, Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Ian Gill is a conductor, singer, guitarist and bassist living in Richardson, TX. Ian has a degree in Guitar and Music Education from the University of South Florida as well as a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Oklahoma. As a guitarist, and bassist, Ian has played in pit orchestras and combos for productions of many of the most popular musicals of all time. He has conducted and performed in 31 states as well as throughout England, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Poland and Australia and has worked with some of the most well respected conductors and musicians of the modern era. He has conducted children's choirs, youth choirs, adult choirs, community choirs and church choirs along with high school and community theater musical productions throughout Florida, Oklahoma and Texas. Mr. Gill was also the clinician for the Southwest Oklahoma Circle the State with Song festival honor choir in 2016. Ian is a member of the Eclectic Celtic Band Skyland (who were recently featured on an episode of Texas Country Reporter) and enjoys playing guitar, mandolin, bass and singing with those incredible musicians. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Music at First United Methodist Church of Richardson and is also the founding Music and Artistic Director of the Richardson Community Chorale.

Kelley Rodriguez

Frisco, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir), Composing/Arranging, Harpsichord, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Programming, Synthesizer, Transcribing, Virtual Choir Producer

Kelley Poché Rodriguez is a collaborative pianist, music director, adjudicator, clinician, researcher, and educator. She first began working with Trekorda in 2014 (back when it was called Collaborative Pianists of DFW) as a pianist, and served as Communications Director from 2018-2022. Kelley holds a PhD in Fine Arts / Music Education from Texas Tech University (where the focus of her dissertation research was on the training of music adjudicators); a MA in music education from Texas Woman’s University (where the focus of her thesis research was on middle school UIL tenor bass sight-reading repertoire); and a BM in music education with a certificate in piano performance from The University of Texas at Austin. Other research interests include music theory pedagogy, music of the Holocaust, and choral sight-reading. She has presented her research at conferences for Texas Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors Association, Society for Music Teacher Education, National Association for Music Education, and American Musicological Society. She taught high school and middle school choir for 12 years in Plano and Frisco ISDs, and is a frequent UIL adjudicator. She completed her Kodály levels at SMU, and is looking forward to teaching in Fort Bend ISD's upcoming Kodály summer workshop. Kelley recently served as an artist in residence for The University of Texas at Arlington in the musical theatre department. Prior to that, she was on the faculty of Texas Woman’s University, where she taught courses in music theory, aural skills, music history and appreciation, music education, and musical theatre. She also directed the TWU University Chorus and music directed several of their musical theatre productions. Students in her graduate music history seminar on the music of the Theresienstadt (Terezín) Concentration Camp collaborated with the TWU Opera Department on a production of Brundibar, Hans Krasa’s children’s opera that was performed many times by child prisoners of the camp. Before joining the faculty of TWU, Kelley taught as a graduate instructor at Texas Tech, TWU, and UNT. She is a sought after clinician for both students and educators in the fields of choral pedagogy, music adjudication, music theory pedagogy, and musical theatre / audition prep. Kelley can frequently be seen performing and music directing for theaters across the DFW metroplex. She has played and music directed over 80 shows and previously served on the Board at OhLook Performing Arts. She has also worked with Casa Mañana, Uptown Players, Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas, Firehouse Theatre, Theatre Coppell, Lyric Stage, Repertory Company Theatre, Lakeside Community Theatre, Dallas Jewish Community Center, and several university and high school theaters. She has played masterclasses for many Broadway artists, including David Gaschen (Phantom), Lindsay Mendez (In the Heights, Dogfight, Carousel), Corey Cott (American Bandstand, Newsies), Sam Carner & Derek Gregor (Unlock’d, Island Song), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Newsies, Catch Me if You Can, Phantom), Susan Blackwell ([title of show]), Amanda Flynn (Be More Chill), and Rob Rokicki (The Lightning Thief).

Cheryl Wilson Janasak

McKinney, TX
Clinician (Choir)

A long time choral educator (37+) years at the middle and high school levels.

Steven VanHorn

Farmers Branch, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Steven VanHorn has played piano for over 15 years. He has a B.M. in Worship Leadership from Liberty University where his primary instrument of focus was piano. He studied repertoire ranging from Baroque to jazz. For each of those four years, He accompanied many classical and contemporary vocalists and instrumentalists. He also played keys for the university's flagship music team for three years. Lastly, he has experience playing with jazz groups and doing production/studio work. All that to say, Steven loves playing piano in all genres and would love to work with you!

Andrew Stonerock

Granbury, TX
Adjudicator, Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Clinician (Band), Composing/Arranging, Flute, Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor), Transcribing

Andrew is an accomplished musician whose versatility is a his biggest strength. He is a woodwind artist specializing in jazz, musical theatre, classical, pop, funk, big band, latin, and more. As a jazz/commercial saxophonist, he has performed with Boyz II Men, Natalie Cole, Steve Vai, and Nenna Freelon, among others. He is a woodwind doubler that has played over 70 productions across the country. His classical saxophone performances have included performing with the Colorado Symphony, Ft. Collins Symphony, Midland/Odessa Symphony, and Lawton Philharmonic.

Nancy Shotts

Mesquite, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Nancy has over 40 years of experience as a choral and instrumental accompanist, private piano instructor, and church pianist. She has also taught in Mesquite ISD as a choir assistant and for the last 10 years she has been the piano instructor at Greiner Middle School in Dallas ISD.

Jimmy Emery

Dallas, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Jimmy Emery has served as Director of Music Ministry at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, since 2006. His deep commitment to the values of artistic excellence, passionate worship, and authentic relationships guides his approach to ministry, helping to shape a nurturing atmosphere in which the church’s diverse musical ensembles flourish. His responsibilities include stewardship of two traditional worship services, nine professional staff musicians, and several generous endowments that fund the performance activities of the Lovers Lane Friends of Music and maintain the three massive pipe organs and many grand pianos across the beautiful and historic Lovers Lane campus. In his role at the church, Jimmy has conducted orchestrated performances of sacred masterworks by Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, Handel, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Brahms, Saint-Saëns, Dubois, Fauré, Hanson, Thompson, and Rutter. Most recently, he served as Artistic Director for several fully staged professional performances of Gian Carlo Menotti’s sacred opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. As a devoted collaborative performer, Jimmy served seventeen seasons on the artistic staff of the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas and has performed numerous concerts with The Texas Voices and other professional choral ensembles. As a music specialist on the adjunct faculty of the School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design at Dallas College, he serves as principal collaborative pianist for the Brookhaven campus and Brookhaven Choral Society. Through this valued association with Trekorda, and through his own musical agency, Elegant Piano Dallas, Jimmy provides extensive accompanying support for secondary choral, instrumental, and musical theater programs throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Jimmy is a summa cum laude graduate of the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, where he earned a Master of Music Education with a concentration in Choral Conducting and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy, and Music Education. He is married to educator Jill Emery and is the proud father of four children.

Susan Hanlon Ferrer

McKinney, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Susan Hanlon Ferrer maintains a thriving vocal studio in Mckinney specializing in commercial and choral music. In addition to vocal instruction, Susan assists clients with artist development strategies and recording session coachings. As a vocal technician, she guides clients to find the most sustainable way to achieve the sounds they need for stage and studio. Part cheerleader, part Sherlock Holmes, Susan loves helping singers accomplish their goals and solve their vocal mysteries. She believes that every singer deserves to be appreciated for who they are and what they bring to the art form, and through her teaching studio, she strives to create a space of belonging for all voices. Susan earned her M.A. in Voice at The University of North Texas. Her graduate studies centered around vocal pedagogy and commercial vocal techniques. She frequently works as an adjudicator and clinician and has released two jazz albums under the Armored Records Label. She is a current member of PAVA, ASCAP, TMEA, Jazz Education Network and NATS. Susan enjoys working with choral groups and pop ensembles to help them find the groove of the song, learn to feel the swing of the rhythms, and learn to get comfortable with ad libs and improvisation! She also enjoys working with high school students to prepare for TMEA All State Choir auditions and improve their sight singing abilities.

Victor Piantanida

Dallas, TX
Composing/Arranging, Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Transcribing

In my years as a performer, I have played with Michael Adkins (Paul Motian Trio), Amanda Cooper (Broadway's Wicked), Opened for Fit for a King multiple times, played for Sean Hannity's "freedom Ring" tour when I was 17, and have played in orchestras as a percussionist. As a soundtrack artist, I scored music for Artbound's episode "Dietch" (PBS), wrote commercial music for SOLA Bread, and am currently working on several other documentaries. I have experience played every style of music on the drum set, as well as percussion instruments. While earning my Bachelor's of percussion performance at Belhaven University, I studied with renowned jazz drummer, Alvin Fielder (Cecil Taylor, Jack DeJohnette), as well as studied percussion and drum set with Dr. Owen Rockwell (MSO). I currently play for Spjork (pop mash-up cover group), Chad Chaney (Christian Contemporary), Tyler Hook, C3 Trinity Dallas, FreeLife, and Highland Park UMC.

Qiyao (Chaul) Yang

Burleson, TX
Clinician (Orchestra), Violin

Violinist Chaul Yang has given performances in the United States, Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau, and Belgium. She made her Carnegie Hall debut as a member of the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra in 2014. During her music studies, she regularly served as the concertmaster of Baylor Symphony Orchestra, Baylor Chamber Orchestra, and UNT Symphony Orchestra. An active orchestra player, Ms. Yang performs with the Fort Worth Symphony, the Richardson Symphony, and the Waco Symphony. She has obtained her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of North Texas (UNT) in December, 2017. Regarded as a “sophisticated musician” by her mentors, Ms. Yang worked with renowned conductors such as Larry Rachleff, Michael Stern, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and Richard Bado. Her mentors included Philip Lewis, Kenneth Goldsmith, Kathleen Winkler, Cho-liang Lin, and Elizabeth Atkins. Aside from performing, Ms. Yang enjoys teaching and helping young students nurture a love for music. She began giving private violin lessons in Houston in 2011 during her Master’s studies. Students under her guidance have advanced in Region and All-State auditions. From 2015-2017, Ms. Yang taught at UNT as a Teaching Fellow. She was able to assist not only Music Education majors but also adult beginners based on the university’s curriculum. Post graduation she became the founder of Heartbeat Violin Studio in Burleson, TX. Her mission is to help students of different ages teach themselves as soon as possible and develop musical and physical skills altogether.

Scott Eckert

Dallas, TX
Bass (Electric), Composing/Arranging, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Piano, Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Programming, Saxophone (Alto), Synthesizer, Ukulele, Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Music director, conductor, actor, and multi-instrumentalist with 40 years experience in all facets of musical theater.

Kristen Martin

Grapevine, TX
Adjudicator, Flute, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Kristen is a classically-trained singer and pianist with a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Centenary College of Louisiana, and a Master of Educational Administration degree from LSU. She has experience in opera, music theater, recording studios, contemporary Christian, praise and worship, accompanying, and church music. She served for seven years on the board of directors as Audition Chair and Private Teacher Liaison for the DFW Chapter of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), and she is currently their webmaster. She is also a member of Mid-Cities Music Teachers Association (MCMTA) as the Publication Contest chairman and on the local scholarship committee, and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA). She has taught in public schools and as a private teacher for 27 years. She is also a private voice teacher for the Carroll ISD Choir Program. She has accompanied all levels of choirs for UIL Concert contests, UIL State and local Solo and Ensemble Contests (choir and band), and accompanied middle school and high school choir concerts. She is an excellent sight-reader. She is very experienced in music theater, and has played in many pit orchestras.

Miwha Choi

Plano, TX
Composing/Arranging, Other, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer, Transcribing

Miwha Eunice Choi is a versatile pianist, band leader, producer, composer, arranger and teacher. She plays various genres of music; classical, jazz, pop, funk and Latin salsa music. She has a bachelor’s degree majoring in Music Composition, minor in Piano performance in Korea and a Master’s in Jazz Studies at UNT. Classically trained, she started her music career at age 10 as a choir accompanist. While attending UNT, she was interested in Latin Music and joined the Latin ensemble. After graduating from UNT, she became an active musician in the DFW area. As a music producer, she composes, arranges, and does all music production stuff; mixing and mastering for the jazz duo “Roja & Miwha”. As a composer and arranger, she has online music stores in which she arranges various songs in a jazz style and sells them all around the world. She collaborates with Birchman church in Fort Worth to make orchestra stem tracks or sheet music for the worship service. She has a long time experience of teaching for all age levels. She has been playing at upscale steak house in Grapevine for 8 years now. In addition, she has been playing as a pianist/keyboardist and leading her group at numerous art festivals, Jazz clubs, restaurants and private parties with different bands such as the Salsa band, Project band, and Top 40 band. She used to work as an accompanist at Coppell ISD, Grapevine Faith High School and various schools. She’s been working as a music faculty and accompanist at Collin College. She plays at a church for worship band and choir and weekly arranges music for the worship band. She plays solo piano, musical theatre, accompaniment for solo & ensemble, UIL, NATS, school concerts, church concerts and jazz concerts everywhere needed a pianist for various styles of music. She can make orchestra stem tracks.

David Sarles

Dallas, TX
Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor)

David Sarles has a music education degree from UNT and taught band for three years. He quit pursuing my Master’s in music theory when he got a full time job working for Butler trombones making carbon fiber trombones.

Tiffany Tsay

Irving, TX
Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre)

Jocelyn Ho

Plano, TX
Viola, Violin

Jocelyn Ho is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a Bachelors of Violin Performance and Music Education in Instrumental-String. She studied violin with Brenda Brenner, who is the Eugene O'Brien Bicentennial Executive Associate Dean. During her time at the Jacobs School of Music, she has also studied with Austin Hartman of the Pacifica String Quartet, Mimi Zweig, Kurt Muroki, Chih-Yi Chen, Aram Arakelyan, Eli Eban, and Anne Epperson. She has played under the baton of Thomas Wilkins, Alex Kerr, Arthur Fagen, Osmo Vanska, Vinay Parameswaran, David Neely, and Rani Calderon. As a Dallas native, her love for music blossomed at an early age while studying with Philip Lewis at the University of North Texas. She is thrilled to be back in Texas as the Associate Orchestra Director at Centennial High School in Frisco, Texas!

Priscilla Manion

Dallas, TX
Composing/Arranging, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Priscilla Manion is an experienced musician of 35 plus years and loves to play piano. Her goal is always to add to the group or musicians she is playing for and help them perform their very best! She has her Bachelor and Masters' degrees in Piano Performance. She has played for musical theater, children's choirs, high school and middle school choirs, college choirs, and traveling singing groups. She also accompanies musical instruments of all types and has worked extensively with church choirs and worship teams. She would love to see what she can add to your performance and how she can help you shine!

Taylor White

Fort Worth, TX
Trumpet

Taylor is currently in his 6th year of teaching choir at a local middle school. He graduated from TCU in 2016 with a degree in Choral Music Education, while also playing trumpet in the TCU Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Wind Symphony, and taking private trumpet lessons with Dr. Jon Burgess. He has consistently worked as a professional singer and trumpet player since graduating college.

Chris Teal

Denton, TX
Clinician (Band), Composing/Arranging, Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Transcribing, Videographer

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Whitworth University, drummer Chris Teal is the co-Director of the Institute for Creative Music (IfCM) and a recent transplant to Denton, TX. Chris has performed as a member of the IfCM Collective, Mingus Dynasty Quartet, Dave Rivello Ensemble, the Mighty High and Dry, Nick Finzer Quintet, Alexa Tarantino Quartet, John Nyerges Trio, Jake Hertzog Trio, and Matt Smith Group. Chris released his first self-titled album as the Chris Teal Trio, “Analog Dreams”, in 2019; four albums with the band Quintopus on ears&eyes Records (Voyage to Ornoc, April Showers, and Prehistoric Beach, and The Adjacent Possible); and four albums with the IfCM Collective on Outside in Music Records (“Volume 1”, “A Tribute to Prince,” “A Tribute to Björk,” and “Volume 4: A Tribute to St. Vincent”). In addition to his active career as a performer, Teal strives to build new opportunities for students to experience jazz and creative music by teaching improvisation, aural learning, and student leadership through the Institute for Creative Music. The IfCM also runs “Creative Jazz Fundamentals,” an on-line school for learning jazz. In collaboration with the University of Arkansas Community Music School, Chris and the IfCM were awarded grant funding for their “Youth Education Initiative” for 2021-22. Chris is the founder and director of the Fayetteville Jazz Festival and has directed the IfCM summer jazz camps annually since 2013. Along with other Teaching Artists from the Institute for Creative Music, Teal has presented workshops and performances at schools throughout the United States, and has presented workshops at the 2017 NYU Impact Conference and 2015 TEDxFlourCity conference. Raised in Spokane, WA, Chris directs the Denton Jazz Workshops, and teaches drum set and piano lessons in Denton, TX.

Hongling Liang

Flower Mound, TX
Accordion, Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Born in Jilin, China, pianist Hongling Liang, received her bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance s Hesong Wang at Jinan University. She continued on to obtain her master’s degree at the Longy School of Music of Bard College with Rieko Aizawa and Peter Serkin. She also studied with Van Cliburn winner Kobrin Alexander for her Artist Diploma in Piano Performance. Ms. Liang has won prizes in numerous competitions including the Yangtze Piano Competition, Hong Kong International Piano Competition, and the Macaw International Piano Competition. Ms. Liang is pursuing her doctoral degree in Collaborative Piano at University of North Texas.

Elijah Caver

Fort Worth, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Elijah Caver is a recent graduate of TCU. He received his degree in music education and was a member of the TCU Percussion Studio under under the direction of Dr. Brian West. He is currently a private lesson teacher at Granbury ISD and White Settlement ISD. He is a freelance musician, music producer, and music director at World Missionary Baptist Church. He has years of performance experience, having performed at numerous concerts and contests as a drum set player and percussionist.

Henry Beal

Lewisville, TX
Audio Technician, Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright), Composing/Arranging, Other, Transcribing, Virtual Choir Producer

Henry Beal is an upright/electric bassist, vocalist and audio engineer located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. He is best known for recording bass on every season of Netflix’s House of Cards and the documentary film Blackfish. In addition to performing and recording, Beal has worked on the films Console Wars (CBS) and Challenger (Netflix) as a music mixing engineer. From his home studio, Henry records and produces a variety of musical projects and has also released his own acoustic jazz album on Bandcamp entitled Finding Center. He also maintains an active private lesson studio via Zoom and offers clinics to school music programs. Beal studied jazz at the University of North Texas and Berklee College of Music and has recorded an album with the Grammy-nominated UNT One O'Clock Lab Band. He has also recorded with Los Angeles studio orchestras for the TV shows Grand Hotel and Dolly Parton's Heartstrings.

John Petring

McKinney, TX
Horn

John Petring is a professional horn player with 20+ years experience in Los Angeles orchestras performing classical repertoire as well as film and television music. He is a strong principal horn player who can play any part, high or low, with a full sound, excellent intonation, and precise counting. His film credits include "Love & Mercy" with an onscreen performance of the horn solo in "God Only Knows" by Brian Wilson. He also has recording studio experience for film and television. John has a Bachelors degree in Music Performance (horn).

Ellen Kaner

Arlington, TX
Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor)

Dr. Ellen Kaner has been a free-lance woodwind teacher and performer in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for 31 years. Her large private studio consists mostly of students from the Mansfield and Grand Prairie School Districts, and she also serves as a site manager for the Floot Fire camp. Her performing experience includes over 100 musical productions and managing/directing Flutes Unlimited, a flexible flute ensemble. Ellen has also been a tireless volunteer serving the Texas Flute Society (President, Festival Chair, Treasurer and Trustee), the National Flute Association (Assistant Program Chair of the Dallas 2001 Convention, Cultural Outreach and New Music Advisory Committees), and the Oak Lawn Band (Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Clarinet Section Manager and Program Annotator). Dr. Kaner holds degrees from Yale (BA in Music), East Carolina (MM in Flute Performance) and Florida State (DM in Flute Performance) Universities.

Paul Birk

Farmers Branch, TX
Composing/Arranging, Transcribing, Trombone (Tenor)

Pamela Dawson

Cedar Hill, TX
Clinician (Choir), Harp

Pamela Dawson began her teaching career in 1995 in Detroit, Michigan and was the Head Choral Director at several high schools in the metropolitan area. Pamela is currently in her 29 th year of teaching and her 18th year at DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas. Choirs under her direction have consistently earned numerous sweepstake ratings in Contest and Sight-Reading, Best in Class and Outstanding Performance awards at festivals on the local, state, national and international level as they toured and performed in London, England. She has been active in her local community serving as the Chair for the DeSoto Arts Commission for six years. Pamela is an active member of American Choral Directors Association, American Harp Society, Texas Choral Directors Association, & Texas Music Educators Association. Pamela is a 2023 Grammy Music Educator of the Year. Lifetime Member of the Recording Academy.

Stephanie Baron

Wylie, TX
Horn

Stephanie is a freelance performer and educator in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. As a performer she has performed in symphonies, operas, musicals, and ballets all over the Great Plains and Mountain west; even appearing in music videos, television, and as a guest on a Classical Music radio channel. She has had the immense privilege of sharing the stage with highly esteemed artists such as Robert Chen, Julian Bliss, Daniel Emmett, Michael Martin Murphy, Alex Boyé, and Yo-Yo Ma. As a teacher, she has given lectures and masterclasses to both youth and doctoral candidates on the French Horn and general music in addition to teaching privately. A native of North Texas, Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and a Master of Music degree in Music Performance from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She currently maintains a vibrant studio in the Garland and Rockwall school districts, and resides in Wylie with her husband and two beautiful daughters.

Jennifer Masters

Mesquite, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical)

Holding a bachelor's degree in Church Music with a piano emphasis, Jennifer has 29 years of experience as a piano instructor and collaborative artist. She has lived in the Dallas area for 20 years and teaches in her private piano studio. She is also an active collaborator, with experience working with vocalists, instrumentalists and large ensembles.

Karen Blackstone

Fort Worth, TX
Piano

Debbie Pesnell

Burleson, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Debbie has been accompanying choirs since she was in the third grade, taught high school choir for 38 years, and for the last six years worked as Music Director for the Music Theatre program at the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. She has played for many choirs/instrumentals/musicals through the years.

Aaron Marshall

Haslet, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Aaron Marshall is an extremely qualified percussionist. He started playing drum set professionally in 2008, mostly for musical theatre. Since then, he has appeared in over 1,000 performances including several regional premieres. Some of his favorites include the regional premier of "In The Heights", "American Idiot", "Hedwig and the Angry Inch", and "Matilda". Aaron has had the pleasure of performing with greats such as Tamar Green (Hamilton), Meghan Picerno (Phantom of the Opera), and Dan Micciche (MD, Wicked). He has also been lucky to study with Dave Hardman, and Tom Hipskind (Hamilton). When he's not playing, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, building his own drums, and working on classic cars.

Mary Dibbern

Dallas, TX
Harpsichord, Piano, Piano (Classical)

Mary Dibbern is a classically trained pianist with extended experience in vocal collaboration. Her interest in French language and music led her to study with Nadia Boulanger and work in Paris where she lived for thirty-one years. She has worked internationally as a recital accompanist, vocal coach, master class teacher, recording artist and lecturer. She has a special interest in working with emerging singers and pianists to help them make the transition from higher education studies to professional music careers. Dibbern has collaborated with publishers to create editions of unknown French vocal and chamber music. She has translated both study and performing versions of French, German and Italian opera librettos, as well as French writings in musicology. She is currently Music Director of Education at The Dallas Opera and studying at the University of Texas at Dallas for a PhD in Humanities with special concentration in Art History and Translation Studies.

Bethany Hardwick

McKinney, TX
Clinician (Orchestra), Viola, Violin

Bethany Hardwick is the Director of Orchestras and Electives Department Head at Downing Middle School in Flower Mound, TX. She holds degrees from the University of North Texas and Boston University. Ms. Hardwick’s orchestras have earned consistent Sweepstakes awards in UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest, as well as “Best in Class” and “Overall Outstanding” in numerous Lone Star Music Contests. In 2017, Ms. Hardwick teamed up with her Special Education partner, Jennifer Rodgers, to form Downing Gives Bach, a service-oriented orchestra program based on Richard Meyer’s Giving Bach model that has evolved into the district’s first full-time orchestra inclusion class. Special Education students in this inclusion class learn to play string instruments alongside their general education peers with a modified curriculum, and participate in every one of the concerts and social events. Now, Downing Gives Bach has 100% enrollment from the Academic Life Skills Special Education students at Downing Middle School, and the Downing Gives Bach Orchestra has performed at various community events in the area. Ms. Hardwick has received numerous accolades including Quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award (2015, 2019), Campus Teacher of the Year (2016), Winston Churchill Distinguished Alumni in the Arts (2018), and the Cain Sczepanski Foundation in Special Education Award of Excellence (2019). Ms. Hardwick performs regularly in the DFW area with string quartets, rock bands, and for theatre productions. She performs in a variety of styles including classical, pop, fiddle, rock and mariachi.

Benjamin Brown

FORT WORTH, TX
Audio Technician, Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright), Composing/Arranging, Piano (Musical Theatre), Programming, Synthesizer, Transcribing, Tuba, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Primarily a bassist, Benjamin is a multi-instrumentalist, actor, singer, and music director based in DFW. Benjamin is the music director in residence at Coppell High School, supervising and music directing at least 1 section of Fame Class, an ensemble-based music theatre performance lab, and at least 1 full musical per year. Benjamin has also played for Dallas Theatre Center, Casa Manana, Dallas Summer Musicals, and numerous local high school and community theatres.

Laura Farnell

Arlington, TX
Clinician (Choir), Composing/Arranging, Piano

Laura is a composer, clinician, and adjudicator from Arlington, Texas. A graduate of Baylor University in Texas, Laura taught public school for ten years at the elementary and junior high levels where she was awarded Teacher of the Year at both of her schools and received the district's outstanding junior high teacher award. In addition to composing and accompanying locally, she serves as an invited clinician and presenter. She currently has more than eighty choral compositions in publication, including many commissioned pieces. She and her husband, Russell, and their two sons, attend First Presbyterian Church of Arlington where Russell serves as Minister of Music and Laura directs the youth and children's choirs.

Adam Wright

Dallas, TX
Composing/Arranging, Harpsichord, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer, Transcribing, Vocalist (Jazz)

Adam C Wright has been music directing in Dallas since 1997, including the US Premieres of Soho Cinders and Closer to Heaven. As a composer and orchestrator, current projects include Isabella's Treasure and a stage reading of A Taste of Beauty later this year. He has worked as Betty Buckley's local accompanist, and served as MD and copyist for Facing East at the Lyric Theater in London with Harriet Thorpe, Rebecca Lock, and Alasdair Harvey. Previous productions at Watertower include Smokey Joe's Cafe, Last 5 Years, and Godspell.

Bill Zauner

Flower Mound, TX
Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright), Cello, Clinician (Orchestra), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Mandolin, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Transcribing

Aaron Sutton

Dallas, TX
Audio Technician, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Other

Aaron Sutton is a professional guitarist, and Dallas area native. Aaron graduated cum laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston with his bachelors of music degree as a performance major and guitar principal. Aaron additionally received his masters degree in contemporary music performance with a concentration in music production at Berklee Valencia's graduate program in Spain. Aaron regularly works as a pit guitarist for musical theatre productions across DFW and also freelances as a professional studio musician and content producer in his home recording studio. He is a fully licensed, TEA certified teacher K-12 and has experience as both a full time music educator and a private lesson instructor. Aaron can read standard notation, chord symbols, nashville numbers, tablature and has a high level understanding of music theory and tonal harmony.

Scott Copeland

Josephine, TX
Piano Technician

Scott Copeland, RPT Scott Copeland Piano Tuning is founded by professional musician and registered piano technician, Scott Copeland. Scott has been actively working in the field of piano technology since 2019, joined the Piano Technicians Guild in 2020, and achieved the Registered Piano Technician certification in 2023. Scott is an active member of the Dallas Chapter of the PTG and regularly attends national and regional conventions to continually further his education in the field. Scott graduated from the University of Michigan with his B.M. in Trumpet Performance and then went on to the University of Southern California where he obtained his M.M. in Trumpet Performance. Scott has been the Instrumental Music Director at Lavon Drive Baptist Church in Garland, TX since 2011. Scott is the technician for Garland Piano in Garland, TX and is the piano tuner for the Singing Men of North Central Texas, where he also plays lead trumpet.

Bruce Dunai

Dallas, TX
Accordion, Euphonium, Guitar (Acoustic), Harmonica, Trombone (Tenor)

Bruce Dunai is an experienced diatonic & chromatic harmonica player, having played with the Ft. Worth Opera Orchestra in several productions, Of Mice & Men and Silent Night, also with the Denton Community Theatre production of Big River. He has many years of experience as a one man band that plays guitar with harmonica through a rack and vocals of classic country, standards & gospel. He has also added Accordion to his skillset recently and has been performing with that too. He has played low brass - euphonium & valve trombone orchestrally for 35 years with a 50 piece orchestra. Also, he is the staff harmonica teacher at Sam Ash Music store in Dallas, TX.

Maristella Feustle

Denton, TX
Banjo, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Steel), Lute, Mandolin, Ukulele

Michael Lawson

Lewisville, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Band), Composing/Arranging, Euphonium, Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor)

Michael Lawson is a first-call bass trombonist in the DFW area with over 30 years experience performing and recording with classical, chamber, pop and jazz groups. Michael also doubles on tenor trombone, contrabass trombone, euphonium and tuba as needed.

Thomas Keeley

Dallas, TX
Clinician (Orchestra), Violin

Thomas Keeley has been performing and teaching professionally since 2003. He received his BA in PoliSci with a Minor in Violin Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has been an orchestra director in Dallas ISD since 2016. Currently, Thomas serves as concertmaster for the New Texas Symphony Orchestra (ntso.org) and as a section violinist with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra. Past engagements include the McKinney Philharmonic (formerly Odysseus Chamber Orchestra), Uptown Players, Turtle Creek Chorale, and Lyric Stage Theatre's world premiere of Quanah.

Jim Wilson

Plano, TX
Percussion (Other), Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer, Transcribing

Jim has been an active member of the Dallas-Fort Worth music community for the last thirty years. He currently serves as pianist at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, and accompanies for the Greater Dallas Choral Society and the choral programs at Plano Senior HS, Wylie East HS and several other middle and high schools. Jim has been the pianist for nationally-recognized events and groups, including the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 Texas All-State Choirs, the Dallas Chamber Choir, and the 2016-2021 Missouri State University Choral Institutes. He plays keyboards for the band Boomtown, performs with several local jazz and cover bands, and works nationally as a pianist with vocalists and instrumentalists. Jim received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Arizona, and is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association.

Mark Sanchez

Fort Worth, TX
Clinician (Orchestra), Violin

Mark Sanchez is currently doing a violin performance diploma at SMU under Diane Kitzman. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Baylor University and his Master of Music in Instrumental Studies with a Concentration in Violin Performance at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he has also did his Master of Music studies in University of Houston. During his studies, he has worked with renowned violinist Eugene Cherkasov, Dr. Eka Gogigashvili, Dr. Kirsten Yon, William Preucil, and Dr. Elizabeth Adkins. Mark has performed as an orchestra musician with the Waco Symphony and Temple Symphony, and currently serves as a principal violinist with the Brazos Chamber Orchestras and Mansfield Philharmonic. He and his wife Keji were selected to perform for the prestigious annual Stephen Barr Memorial Concert Series at Texas Wesleyan University. His musical experiences led him to conduct the Chapel and Chamber Orchestras at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as teach violin as an adjunct faculty. His passion for teaching led Mark and his wife Keji to start their own studio titled "MarKejiStudios." The duo also performs regularly around the DFW area. He will begin his studies in pursuit of a Performer's Diploma at Southern Methodist University. Mark strongly believes that teaching from a pedagogical approach will help the student have a well rounded understanding of basic music theory as well as proper technique when approaching the instrument. His students actively participate in the local competitions and examinations such as the FWMTA, Royal Conservatory of Music, and UIL competitions. In addition, his students are part of local orchestras such as the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, the Dallas Youth Orchestra, and the Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestra.

Curtis Swike

Dallas, TX
Euphonium, Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor), Tuba

Curtis has been freelancing in the DFW area since he first arrived in 2013. He is a two-time graduate of the Eastman School of Music, earning a BM in euphonium performance and a MM in trombone performance with a performer's certificate. Notable engagements include the San Angelo Symphony, Dallas Pops, and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Curtis is currently principal trombone with the New Texas Symphony Orchestra and frequently performs as a contracted musician for theater, high school, and church events across the metroplex.

Matt Harper

Allen, TX
Other, Trumpet

Revered as “a talented and passionate musician,” Matt Harper is enthusiastic about exploring a wide variety of genres from time periods ranging from the early baroque period to contemporary music. Matt has had the pleasure of performing with the McKinney Philharmonic, Sherman Symphony New World Symphony, Austin Opera, and at the Victoria Bach Festival. Matt’s performing career has taken him all across the United States and Europe with ensembles ranging from chamber groups, British-style brass bands, wind ensembles, and orchestras. Matt was selected to attend the Aspen Music Festival in 2017 and was awarded a fellowship to attend in 2018. He participated in the Orpheus@Mannes chamber orchestra intensive in 2019 as well as the U.S. Air Force Band Symposium in 2015. During his undergraduate studies, Matt was heavily involved in the school’s British-style brass band where he performed with the group for five years, serving as principal cornet for three years. While performing with the band at the North American Brass Band Association Championship, Matt competed in the Adult Technical Solo Competition where he received first place in 2015 and second place in 2016. While completing his master’s degree, Matt developed his enthusiasm for mental preparation when he researched topics such as techniques used by professional athletes and the use of visualization and meditation. He has written several papers on the topic and is committed to further studying the subject and sharing his findings with others. Matt currently lives in Dallas, Texas where he is an active freelancer and maintains a large private studio of both beginner and advanced students throughout the north Texas area. Matt is a graduate of James Madison University and The University of Texas at Austin and has studied with Ray Sasaki, David Krauss, Raymond Mase, Wiff Rudd, Kevin Cobb, Marc Reese, Dr. Chris Carrillo, Dr. Aaron Witek, and Christian Hinkle. When Matt is not playing or teaching, he enjoys reading, hiking, playing sports, as well as following his favorite teams.

Candy Hooper

Dallas, TX
Organ, Piano

Candy is a native Dallasite and received her Education degree from Dallas Baptist University. She taught 3rd grade in Dallas ISD and has been a church musician for all of her adult life. Candy was on the staff at Waxahachie HS and Midlothian HS as the choral/band accompanist for a total of 10 years. She has accompanied for many districts in the area and is accomplished on piano and organ.

Sara Steele

Little Elm, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Sara Steele is a classically trained collaborative pianist based in the DFW area. She is currently finishing up my DMA in Collaborative Piano at the University of North Texas. She freelances and coachs in the area, and work at TCU, where she coaches singers and is music director of the Opera department. Sara also works at Dallas Opera as the assistant to the music director for education and outreach, and is one of the touring pianists. Sara is an excellent sight reader and have extensive experience accompanying for singers, opera, choral ensembles, and instrumentalists. She loves working with students, and is passionate about music and arts education. Additionally, she has many years of experience playing for church services.

Vincent Fleo

Dallas, TX
Vocalist (Classical)

Vincent Fleo is a Dallas-Fort Worth based classical vocalist with over 10 years of music performance experience specializing in choral, opera, and oratorio studies. A native to Dallas, Mr. Fleo graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts with a concentration in vocal studies, and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from The University of North Texas, Dallas. Vincent is currently studying at The University of Texas at Arlington pursuing a degree in Music Education where he regularly performs in various opera scenes programs, musical theater works, and choral programs. He has also had the opportunity to perform across the U.S. in various choral conferences, and for the last two years has sung back up for the popular 70s rock band, the Eagles, on their Hotel California tour at venues such as Dickies Arena in Fort Worth and the American Airlines Center in Dallas. While finishing his degree, Mr. Fleo teaches voice and serves as clinician for the Ferris High Schol choral department in Ferris ISD. Vincent is also a chorus member at The Dallas Opera and Fort Worth Opera where he performs alongside world renowned classical vocalists in productions throughout their season.

Henry Botond

Venus Wood

Prosper, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Prior to relocating to DFW, Venus Wood has 30+ years of experience in accompanying various church choirs, school choirs, and solo instrumentalists in Southern California. Venus holds a bachelor's degree in piano performance from UCLA and studied piano with Earle Voorhies and Aube Tzerko. On the weekends, Venus enjoys coaching pianists and vocalists, and directing the choir at her church.

Mitchell Manlapig

Fort Worth, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical)

Mitchell Manlapig, M.M. is currently pursuing is D.M.A. in Orchestral Conducting from Texas Christian University. He serves as the assistant conductor for the TCU Symphony, Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, and Fort Worth Medical Orchestra. He also holds a job shadow with the assistant conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Also active as an opera conductor, Mr. Manlapig most recently conducted TCU Opera's production of Die Zauberflöte in February 2023. Prior to his studies at TCU, Manlapig received his M.M. in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 2020, he received his B.M.A. in Piano Performance from Oklahoma Baptist University. Upon graduation he also received the Outstanding Senior in Music Award and W.P. Blake Award (highest honor the university bestows). While at OBU, Manlapig was inducted into the prestigious Pi Kappa Lambda, was a two-time winner of OBU's Concerto-Aria competition, and collaborated with multiple soloists and ensembles, serving as the Bison Glee Club's full-time accompanist. He also maintained a large studio of piano students, teaching both privately and in group settings. His students competed in local competitions, gaining high marks for District and State Achievements. Even though Mr. Manlapig mainly focuses his time toward conducting duties these days, he maintains his passion for teaching piano and for collaborating with choirs/ensembles.

Brian Seo

Lewisville, TX
Cello, Clinician (Orchestra)

BRIAN SEO (cello) was born in South Korea, but he was raised in the DFW Metroplex. As a kid in Seoul, Brian studied piano, violin, Gugak (traditional Korean music) and participated in Young Astronauts Korea as well as national math competitions. At the age of eleven, he and his family moved to Texas where he discovered his interest in the cello. Brian went on to attend the University of North Texas on a full scholarship where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in cello performance. Brian was the principal cellist of the UNT Symphony and Opera orchestras and was the featured solo cellist for UNT Symphony’s Grammy Award project with the classical saxophonist Eugene Rousseau in Saxophone Espressivo. He also attended South Texas College of Law Houston from 2020 to 2021 as a Dean’s Merit Scholar and during his downtime, Brian enjoys researching, exercising, and PC gaming.

Alicia Colston

Forney, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Alicia Colston is a piano teacher/accompanist and worship leader. She began taking piano lessons at the age of 7 with the dream of becoming a church pianist, and enjoyed watching that passion grow into not only playing for the church, but also accompanying, teaching, and actually leading worship. She has a Bachelor in Church Music and a Master of Arts in Worship Leadership. Her accompanist background includes the following: violinists, string quartets, vocalists, solo & ensemble for high school bands, choirs (including the Dallas Baptist University Legacy choir, church choirs, and middle school choirs), and church services (both traditional and contemporary). As far as worship leading goes, I have always been active in my church's worship ministry, but began truly leading worship in 2011. It was this leap of faith that propelled me to return to school to get my MA in Worship Leadership. Since then I have lead various youth worship teams, various church services, and currently serve at my own church as part of the worship team (filling in as worship leader when my worship pastor is out). I am looking forward to helping you with your musical needs!

Will Chandler

Fort Worth, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir), Composing/Arranging, Programming, Vocalist (Classical)

Will Chandler is Director of Choral Activities at Texas Wesleyan University. Prior to his current appointment, Will completed is course work for a DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Kentucky, where he was an interim choir director, assistant director, and music theory teacher. He also spent seven years teaching middle and high school choir in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as both a public school teacher and a church youth choir director. On top of his work as a teacher, Will is also a contemporary a cappella enthusiast. He serves as Vice President of SING! Texas, an organization devoted to a cappella singing in all forms. He coached and arranged for The University of Kentucky AcoUstiKats. Will holds degrees from Millsaps College, The University of Southern Mississippi, and is in the process of completing his DMA at The University of Kentucky.

Hollye Hornsby

McKinney, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Hollye has been accompanying choirs since the age of 12. (With her middle school choir.) Hollye went on through high school accompanying her own high school choirs and musical theatre performances. In college, she was the accompanist for the university choir, juries, vocal recitals and instrumental recitals. She went on to earn my degree in Music Education with a vocal performance. Hollye and her husband lead the worship at their church. She leads and directs the praise team and choir. She was also selected to sing as a soloist for the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. All that to say, Hollye loves accompanying, kids, all different types of music, but most of all Jesus.

Kelly Schaaf

Dallas, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Kelly is a professional music director, pianist, and vocalist with extensive experience in musical theater and religious music. Special skills include sightreading, composing, arranging, playing multiple vocal lines in a rehearsal setting, and working with children

Dawn Oyedipe

Frisco, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Orchestra), Other, Violin

Violin (Classical), Violin (Jazz), Violin (Fiddle), Violin (Electric), Adjudicator, Clinician Dawn Oyedipe is a versatile violinist and music educator with experience in classical violin, jazz violin, fiddle, electric violin, contemporary worship, and musical theater. Dawn currently serves as director of orchestras at Hays Middle School in Prosper ISD, and previously headed the Hebron High School orchestra program (Lewisville ISD). She has led students of all levels to achieve over twenty UIL Orchestra Sweepstakes awards, Best in Class, and Overall Best Orchestra in local and nationally recognized competitions. Dawn began her career as a touring musician, performing regionally at festivals, schools and community concerts through Young Audiences of Dallas, Texas Commission on the Arts and other arts-in-education programs. She has performed with Dallas Millennial Choirs and Orchestra, Irving Symphony, Frisco Jazz Combo, Collin Jazz Combo PM, Irish band Celtic Blessing, Grand Prairie Arts Council productions, Candlelight String Quartet, and eclectic ensemble Tin Roof Tango/Mark Shelton Productions. She has taken the stage at the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival, Summer Jazz in the Park at Addison Circle, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston. Dawn enjoys collaborating and has made guest appearances with smooth jazz saxophonist/recording artist Tom Braxton. She is featured on the sacred CD release “Surrender” by pianist Michael Gott, and heavy metal CD “Distorted Views” by Michael Harris. She has also performed on WFAA channel 8 “Good Morning Texas”. Dawn holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, where she studied classical violin with Philip Lewis. Her mentors also include jazz educators David N. Baker (IU), Pat Harbison (IU) and Sara Caswell (Berklee College of Music). She is an alumnus of the Disney All-American College Orchestra at EPCOT Center, a unique internship where she performed with Broadway stars including Rita Moreno, Nell Carter and Marvin Hamlisch. The “Disney effect” continues to influence her teaching, as she encourages her students to strive for musical excellence, be professional, and make magic for the audience.

Vernon Richter

Lake Dallas, TX
Trumpet

Vernon Richter is a native of San Antonio, Texas and began playing trumpet in Houston, Texas at the age of eleven. His formal education in trumpet began in 1984 at East Texas State University, currently Texas A&M Commerce, as a Music Performance Major. A desire to experience all different types of music, and especially music with trumpet, has been a part of Vernon his entire life. He has had the opportunity to full-fill this desire on many occasions by playing in Symphony Orchestras, Brass Ensembles, Brass Quintets, Brass Trio’s, Show Pit Orchestra’s, Jazz Bands, Jazz Combos, solo work, and now in a newly formed rock/soul/r&b/country band, The Top Brass Band. Pit orchestra work includes: Singing In The Rain, Shrek (multiple times), Music Man, Sound Of Music, Sponge Bob, Fiddler On The Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, Oklahoma, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Vernon is a former member and co-founder of Center Stage Brass, a 10-member professional brass ensemble in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex dedicated to performing brass literature and promoting music education. Vernon also performs regularly with the Richardson Symphony as 3rd trumpet with the ensemble. He has performed with the Lewisville Lake Symphony, East Texas Symphony, Mesquite Symphony and Flower Mound Symphony. Vernon performed as a featured soloist with the Northeast Orchestra in 2019 performing “Let the bright Seraphim”, by Georg Friedrich Handel. Finally, Vernon is heavily involved in teaching in the Lewisville ISD and Prosper area and typically carries a studio of over 80 students in addition to conducting 3 master classes per week at the high school level. He has over 20 years of teaching experience in the area with numerous students achieving top honors at the District, Region and State levels at the middle and high school levels. In 2022, his studio produced 5 All-State trumpet students, all from Hebron High School, which is unprecedented at the State level for the trumpet. Vernon has also produced students that have competed in the semi-finals and finals of the National Trumpet Competition. Vernon consistently has students entering colleges pursuing degrees in music education or music performance. Vernon currently resides in Lake Dallas with his wife, Dana, of 30 years of marriage.

Terry Metzger

Murphy, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Alfiia Mansurova

Dallas, TX
Viola, Violin

Alfiia Mansurova was born in Kazan, Tatarstan and she is of Tatar ethnicity. She attended the Secondary Special School and College of the Kazan State Conservatory, where she graduated with honors in 2014. She has performed as a soloist in the Tatar State Philharmonic from 2014 to 2017, participated in the international orchestra of Harbin Conservatory in China in 2017, and took master-classes with world-renowned violinists such as Miriam Fried, Krzysztof Wegrzyn, Maxim Fedotov, Irina Bochkova. Alfiia has extensive performing experience in USA, Russia, China, France, Turkey and India. In 2021 completed a two-year graduate certificate program in ICM at Park University, where she studied with Professor Ben Sayevich. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Performance with internationally renowned violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky. In 2021, she was selected as a participant of Pinchas Zukerman master classes and chamber concerts featured the Dallas Symphony musicians.

Kyle Maxwell-Doherty

Dallas, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Kyle resides in Dallas, Texas working as a freelance percussionist and dance musician. Prior to his time in Dallas he lived in Durham NC where worked with the North Carolina Theatre, North Carolina Brass Band, and Theatre Raleigh. Before Durham he lived in New York City and made his New York debut performing the world premier of Edo Frenkel’s There is nothing (but they) outside: 1. missa brevis at The Spectrum. He has performed with the Radio City Rockettes Orchestra beginning in 2013, the Grammy Award Winning cast of Hamilton: An American Musical, The Chelsea Music Festival and at esteemed venues such as Madison Square Garden, Le Poisson Rouge, and The Blue Note. He has worked for Keigwin+Company, Doug Varone and Dancers, and as modern dance accompanist at Ballet Hispanico, Marymount Manhattan College, Hofstra University, Peridance Center, 92nd Street Y, The New School, The Limon School and Juilliard. He was on faculty at Hofstra University and Westchester Community College from 2015-2018. He is also a regular member with Gallant Entertainment Inc and the Patriot Brass Ensemble. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree under the Direction of Dr. Norman Weinberg at The University of Arizona in 2018 with his research focusing on dance choreography notation as it relates to the gestural-based percussion compositions of Wayne Siegel, Casey Cangelosi and Mark Applebaum. While at the University of Arizona he also received his Masters of Music degree and served as the Director of The Rosewood Marimba Band and a Graduate Teaching Assistant to the Dance Department as Modern Dance Percussion Accompanist. Prior to attending the University of Arizona he received his Bachelors of Music degree at Concordia College – Moorhead while studying with Dr. David P. Eyler. Kyle performs regularly in Atlas Percussion with percussionists Scott Shinbara and Alex Wier and Ensemble 520 with Mark Cook. He has performed at the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy (NCPP), the Society of Electro Acoustic Music In the United State (SEAMUS), the Bob McCormick Marimba Festival, the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention (PASIC), the International Festival of Percussion at the Conservatorio de Musica in San Juan Puerto Rico, the Minnesota Day of Percussion (MNPAS), the Nebraska Day of Percussion (NEPAS), and the Omaha-Under The Radar Festival. And in 2009 he performed the North American Premier of Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Linker Augentanz at the North American Saxophone Alliance's convention. He spent the summer of 2012 creating a sound-scape of Manhattan in accordance with the chance operations found in the sketches and notebooks of John Cage’s A Dip in the Lake found in the Cage Trust Archives at the New York Public Library. The Soundscape concluded in collaboration with respected Dance Choreographer Douglass Nielson in honor of the John Cage/Merce Cunningham collaboration and in recognition of Cage’s 100th birthday. In 2006 and 2007, he studied traditional Drumming, Dance, and Gyil performance with world-renowned Master Drummer Bernard Woma and Master Drummer Dancer Sulley Imoro. He has also performed with the Saakumu Drum and Dance Troupe both in Ghana and California. Kyle is proud to have published 4 articles in Percussive Notes and his percussion ensemble arrangements can be found at Elision Publications. He also serves on the Dance Notation Bureau’s Professional Advisory Board. Kyle is proud to represent and have industry support from Vic Firth, Gallant Entertainment Inc. and Alternate Mode Inc. He is thankful for many of his teachers including Dr. Norman Weinberg, Dr. David Eyler, Bob Becker, Bernard Woma, Matthew Altmire, and Dr. Steven Makela.

Kathryn Baugher

Fort Worth, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical)

Kathryn Baugher completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano Performance with a concentration in Pedagogy and a minor in Art from MidAmerica Nazarene University. She earned a Master of Music Education with a concentration in Piano from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia under the rigorous instruction of Dr. Andre Kasparov and Dr. Nancy Klein. She has twenty-five years of experience in teaching, and accompanying choirs, orchestra and band, and church music. She currently teaches private piano lessons, owns and runs an interior decorating website, and is active in the Texas Federation of Music Clubs where she regularly performs.

Amy Harrington

The Colony, TX
Clinician (Choir)

Head Choral Director McKinney Boyd High School BME Baylor University 2014

Julie Gray

Denton, TX
Trombone (Tenor), Tuba

Alexander Poole

DENTON, TX
Accordion, Audio Technician, Bass (Electric), Clinician (Choir), Composing/Arranging, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Ukulele, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Alexander Poole has a BM in Vocal Performance and a BM in Music Education from the University of North Texas. He has spent the last few years singing, playing, and teaching around the DFW area. He loves working with different musicians and different styles of music!

Alfredo Ortiz

Fort Worth, TX
Adjudicator, Composing/Arranging, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Alfredo is a pianist, composer, and collaborator primarily working in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. He received his Bachelor of Music from Texas Christian University in 2023, where he performed with various classical and jazz ensembles.

Kathy Brodhead

Plano, TX
Piano

Accompanied 50+years choir band orchestra Bachelor of Music major piano Master of Mus Ed. Taught choir from 1969-2012

Brian Walker

Grand Prairie, TX
Trumpet

Brian Walker is Associate Professor of Trumpet at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. Dr. Walker has taught previously at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the University of North Texas and The Florida State University as well as privately in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. His students have been accepted into many undergraduate and graduate music programs throughout the United States and currently perform in orchestras and premier military groups respectively. He is co-founder of the Dallas Trumpet Workshop held annually every summer and serves on the faculty for the University of Kentucky Summer Trumpet Institute. Dr. Walker was recently awarded Tarleton’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts Excellence in Student Success award for 2017. As a performer he has appeared with many groups in the DFW region including (but not limited to) the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Dallas Opera, Plano, Allen, Arlington, Las Colinas, Irving, Garland, and Dallas Chamber Orchestras. He has also had the opportunity to perform with the North Texas Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and the Grammy Nominated UNT One O'Clock Lab Band. While at Florida State, Dr. Walker performed with the Tallahassee Symphony, Pensacola Symphony, and New World Symphony to name a few. As a soloist, Dr. Walker has given recitals throughout the United States as well as abroad in Greece, France, China and Brazil. In addition, he was featured as a soloist on the Tarleton State Wind Ensemble’s performance at Carnegie Hall. Brian Walker is active in the International Trumpet Guild where he was recently elected to the Board of Directors and serves on the Recording Projects Committee. Dr. Walker also serves as an adjudicator for the National Trumpet Competition and ITG Competitions and is an artist and clinician for the Bach division of the Conn-Selmer Corporation. Dr. Walker holds degrees from the University of North Texas (DMA), The Florida State University (MM) and Southeastern Oklahoma State (BM). His primary teachers include Michael Miles, Christopher Moore, John Holt and Adam Gordon.

Kat Glaze

Dallas, TX
Violin

Kat Glaze is a classically trained fiddler and violinist of 30 years with extensive experience in traditional musics such as Celtic fiddling and bluegrass. Improvisation in nearly any genre of music is one of her strong suits and she enjoys performing as a soloist and as part of an orchestra, band or group. She is currently the resident violinist for the Turtle Creek Chorale and the Cathedral of Hope Orchestra while also being the fiddler for the Celtic quintet, Skyland.

Claire Miller

Mansfield, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

A native of Garland, TX, Claire Miller received a BME in Choral music (piano principal) from Ouachita Baptist University in 2005. She moved to Faith Academy in the Philippines, where she accompanied for 10 years. She played for large and small choral ensembles from elementary to high school, and accompanied for choir festivals and a tour to South Korea. She has experience accompanying for Solo and Ensemble, UIL, and various church service experience.

Jodi Wright

Plano, TX
Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Jodi Crawford Wright, (SMU), has been performing for over 20 years. Theatre credits include Jenny in It Shoulda Been You and Marion in Boy From Oz (Uptown Players), Maria in Most Happy Fella and Mother Abbess in The Sound Of Music (Lyric Stage), and Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense (Brick Road Theatre). As a celebrated cabaret artist. Her Love Is A Many Splintered Thing was quickly embraced as “funny, heartbreaking, beautifully sung, and honest.” Other cabarets she has written and performed include Belly Up To The Barbra featuring the songs of Barbra Streisand and Scripture With A Twist: A Gospel Cabaret, as well as her beloved Songs My Mama Taught Me, featured this past summer as part of the Festival Of Independent Theater’s 21st season, Coming Of Age. Jodi has become a favorite guest artist with the Turtle Creek Chorale, performing in Tyler’s Suite, Boys Do Babs, Snowflakes, and To All The Women We’ve Loved Before to name a few. Jodi will be back with the Turtle Creek Chorale this March at Moody Performance Hall for their main-stage show, Unbreakable. As a concert artist, she has performed with several of the Dallas/Fort Worth Symphonies, including Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Carnegie Hall performance of Steven Stucky’s August 4, 1964. Ms Wright recently enjoyed being Richardson Symphony Orchestra’s guest artist for their Holiday Classics concert. In addition to entertaining larger audiences, Jodi also sings at several churches in the area as a guest soloist. She’s sung numerous weddings and memorials, and truly enjoys sharing these intimate times with the families. Her approach to music is beautifully malleable as to allow people to joy or grieve as each person needs. She lets the music fill those quieter moments as guests celebrate the joining of two as one, or reflect upon a life well lived.

Samuel Walker

Dallas, TX
Banjo, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Mandolin, Ukulele

Sam Walker formerly taught jazz guitar at the University of Texas at Arlington, Tarrant County College South Campus and Eastifield College. He earned a Master’s in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. Sam performs regularly in the pit orchestra for various musical theater productions in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He has also performed/recorded with the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, the East Texas Symphony, the Phares Chorder Orchestra, Greg Wait’s Jazz Refugees, pianist/vocalist Melani Skybell, and the American Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, just to name a few.

Hamilton Levine

Wills Point, TX
Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright)

Cheri Roman

Dallas, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Band), Trumpet

Cheri Román is a studious, punctual, and versatile musician/performer that graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. After teaching middle school band, Cheri transitioned to teaching private lessons and has continued being an avid freelance musician in the DFW metroplex. Cheri has wide range of experience performing and teaching Classical, Latin, Pop, and Jazz genres since 2014. Cheri has also adjudicated middle/high school all region clinics, solo and ensemble contest, and currently has a private studio in Mesquite ISD.

Jesse Fry

Roanoke, TX
Organ, Other, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer, Transcribing

Jesse Fry is a highly qualified piano instructor and accompanist. He has a Bachelors degree in Instrumental Music Education from Asbury College (2003) and a Masters degree in Piano Pedagogy and Music Education from Southern Methodist University (2009).

After graduating from Asbury College Jesse began work for the Salvation Army of Texas as an Assistant to the Divisional Music Director. In that position he traveled around the state to various Salvation Army centers giving private lessons for all of the brass instruments, percussion and piano. In addition to private lessons he would also direct bands or choirs and assist local music leaders.

Following his Masters degree in 2009, Jesse started Collaborative Pianists of DFW, an agency that provides professional accompaniment services for a variety of Dallas-Fort Worth vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles.

In 2017 Jesse founded Trekorda as an expansion of Collaborative Pianists of DFW, whose services, musicians, and territory now reached beyond the local community.

"Jesse is an amazing accompanist. My students felt very comfortable playing with him. He's such a professional"

Kami Luján

Krum, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

BJ Harman

MELISSA, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

B.J. Harman earned the MCM degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts where she studied piano with Mia Chung, organ with Roy Brunner, and voice with Elizabeth Printy. She is an active member of PMTA and NTMTA and resides in Melissa, TX with her husband. Currently, B.J. provides piano instruction in her private piano studio and has taught piano in private schools and home studios for over 30 years in three states. She has been a school music teacher and also a Director of Music, organist, and pianist in a variety of churches. She is sought after as an accompanist for recitals, concerts, and contests by choirs, bands, and instrumentalists in North Texas schools. B.J. also volunteers with her church worship.

Mark Howard

Fort Worth , TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Mark Howard is a freelance percussionist in the DFW area. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas and his Master's degree in Percussion Performance from Southern Methodist University. Mark has enjoyed performing in a variety of musical settings from concert bands and orchestras to percussion ensembles and musicals! Select musical credits include Big Fish, In The Heights, Legally Blonde, Tick, Tick…Boom!, Man of La Mancha, Xanadu, The Addams Family, Sweeney Todd, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Urinetown. In addition to his work as a percussionist, Mark is also a freelance sound designer and engineer in the metroplex.

Francis Cathlina

Memphis, TN
Clinician (Choir), Programming

Conductor-teacher Francis Cathlina, D.M.A., is a Vietnamese-American whose work lies at the intersection of choral music and narrative. Within a concert experience, the musicians engage the audience in a story told through choral artistry. Such innovative programming connects the power of choral music to 21st-century students and audiences. Currently, Dr. Cathlina serves as the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis. He guides a comprehensive Choral Program of five ensembles through administrative leadership and vision; he leads the doctoral and master’s choral conducting program and mentors undergraduate students; and he conducts the University Singers (flagship SATB choir) and Mazi (SSAA choir). As a first-generation musician, Dr. Cathlina’s Eastern heritage shapes his teaching. He cultivates a collaborative and rigorous culture, which has garnered national recognition at the university (UNT Men’s Chorus) and high school (Centennial High School) levels. He is a 2023 GRAMMY Music Educator Quarterfinalist, and early in his career, the Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA) designated him the “Young Director of Distinction.” An active guest conductor, Dr. Cathlina builds masterful technicians and creative communicators through inclusive pedagogy. Upcoming engagements in 2022-2023 involve the Mississippi All-State High School Treble Choir, and region choirs in Texas, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania. Dr. Cathlina’s scholarship focuses on vocal pedagogy, choral tone, and artistic conducting gesture. In summer 2021, the American Choral Directors Association’s Choral Journal published his two-part article “7 Essentials for Developing Voices in Choir: Part I” and “Part II.” Additionally, he serves the profession as an adjudicator and coordinator and regularly presents interest sessions throughout the United States. Dr. Cathlina holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting with a vocal pedagogy cognate from the University of North Texas, a Master of Music in choral conducting from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University. Prior to his doctoral studies, he taught public school, working with elementary through high school-aged singers with diverse backgrounds. Dr. Cathlina lives in Memphis, Tennessee with his husband, Kyle, and their dog, Coco.

Adam Manning

Rockwall, TX
Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright)

Adam Manning has a Bachelors Degree in Music, with a Major in Piano, and a Minor in String Bass from East Texas Baptist University. He has played Bass Guitar professionally in a rock band, covering rock hits from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and 2000's for almost a decade. He has also played String Bass, Electric Bass and Piano in church worship music continuously since high school.

Victoria Ricalde

Lewisville, TX
Violin, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

A lifelong performer with a diverse artistic background, Victoria Ricalde is an eclectic and versatile multi-instrumentalist. Although classically trained and holding a bachelor’s in violin performance, she is also active as a singer, pianist, composer, and songwriter. Her musical projects span a variety of styles including jazz, pop, and soul. Victoria performs regularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex; notable past venues include GrapeFest, Six Flags Over Texas, Winstar World Casino, the Warwick Melrose, and the Dallas Korean Festival. In addition to her performing schedule, Victoria currently serves as a private instructor and ensemble director at Rojas School of Music in Grapevine, TX, and as a music leader at Walnut Hill Church in Dallas.

Linda Ice

FORT WORTH, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir)

Davis Ponjuan

Richardson, TX
Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Clinician (Band), Flute, Piccolo, Saxophone (Alto)

Davis Ponjuan is currently the band director at Kirkpatrick Middle School in Fort Worth ISD. He holds two Bachelor Degrees in Music, Summa Cum Laude, in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from the University of North Texas. Along with his teaching responsibilities, he enjoys playing in pit orchestras for local musicals and has performed Newsies, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Guys and Dolls, and many others. He has a passion for conducting and spends his summers at conducting symposia across the country, and loves collaborating with singers, actors and instrumentalists alike!

Cody Dry

University Park, TX
Adjudicator, Piano, Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Programming, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Cody Dry has recently returned to his native Dallas from working in NYC as a music director, accompanist, and vocal coach. There he worked with the Broadway production of Book of Mormon as rehearsal accompanist and keyboard sub. He music directed Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ripley (Next to Normal, Side Show) in an Off-Broadway production of Maltby and Shire’s Baby. Cody also taught alongside Jenn Gambatese (Mrs. Doubtfire, All Shook Up, Tarzan) for the organization The Broadway Star Project, a group that keeps young adult actors performing. With that organization he music directed their 2019 holiday album, arranged and directed their performance with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, and has traveled to Mexico and Guatemala to teach young performers there. As adjunct faculty at the Hartt School (University of Hartford), he served as vocal coach, accompanist, and music director. He has also music directed and accompanied cabarets at renowned NYC venues Feinstein’s 54 Below and Green Room 42. Locally Cody has worked with companies such as Theatre Three, Dallas Theatre Center, Water Tower Theatre, and Circle Theatre, as well as educational theatre at UNT and The Acting Studio. His upcoming projects include continuing the run of Young Frankenstein at Theatre Three and Jesus Christ Superstar at Water Tower. Cody currently teaches private voice, serves as collaborative pianist at The Greenhill School, and is music director at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church. He holds a music degree from the University of North Texas.

Beverly Chinn

Garland, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical)

Beverly Chinn is a veteran Vocal/Choral Music Educator, who served in Dallas and Lancaster ISD for 38 years. She earned a BM in Music Education and Music Therapy from Southern Methodist University and a MME and Ph.D. , with a minor in Voice, from the University of North Texas - Denton. As a Choral educator, her choirs consistently earned superior ratings or Sweepstakes in choral music contests and evaluations. She has served as a clinician and workshop presenter throughout her career.

Ralph Morgan

Irving, TX
Bassoon, Clarinet, Clinician (Band), Flute, Percussion (Other), Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Tenor)

Ralph Morgan is an active Free-lance bassoonist in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area, as well as a woodwind doubler in music theater (Clarinet, Flute, Alto and Tenor Sax) and timpanist in area churches. Currently, he performs with the Lewisville Lake Symphony Orchestra and the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving. Active as a professional musician in the North Texas area since 1994, he has performed frequently with the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Waco Symphony Orchestra, the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, and contra bassoonist/utility bassoonist for the Dallas Wind Symphony (1994-2003). He is a retired Band Director having served for 30 years in the Brazosport, Irving and Dallas ISD's. He received his BME from TCU and MM/Certificate in Bassoon performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Marie Rogers

Benbrook, TX
Piano

Marie is a retired choral director with 26 years of experience. Her choirs consistently earned Sweepstakes awards and Best in Class at area Festivals. She has accompanied choirs, soloists and instrumentalists for 42 years. Her performances include Honor Choir accompanist for TMEA, SWACDA and has served as staff accompanist at Southwestern Baptist Seminary where her duties included accompanying voice studios, the Master Chorale and the Children's Chorus. She was honored to play the piano for the Dallas Police Officers Memorial in 2016 at the Meyerson Symphony Center. In 2016 she was rehearsal accompanist for the Great American Choral Society in Firenze Italy under the direction of Dr. David Thye.

Sejung Ra

Garland, TX
Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Clinician (Band), Clinician (Orchestra)

Mr. Ra graduated from Pai-Chai University, South Korea with a Bachelor of Arts in music. He received the highest honors from the Koln Musikhochschule standort in Wuppertal, Germany, where he earned his master's degree in professional music performance. He completed a conductor's summer academy at Accademia San Felice in Italy and the Conductor Institute of South Carolina. He graduated from East Carolina University with a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting. Mr. Sejung Ra is a versatile and critically acclaimed artist and educator who has performed worldwide. He wears many hats as a professional clarinetist, conductor, and educator. He taught clarinet at Methodist University, and Pai-chai University. He worked as the artistic director and conductor of the Fayetteville Chamber Orchestra and a director of bands and string orchestra at Berean Baptist Academy. He currently instructs the orchestra at International Leadership of Texas, enabling him to mentor young artists worldwide. Critics praise clarinetist Sejung Ra's chamber appearances, describing him as "full of shaping his phrases beautifully with a rich, expressive tone." (The West Deutherzeitung, The Rheinischer Post) He has received recognition for his keen sensibility in music based on performances in Germany, Italy, Thailand, South Korea, and the United States.

John Cornish

Burleson, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir), Composing/Arranging, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Transcribing, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Dr. John Cornish is a lifelong musician and teacher with a firm dedication to arts education and church music. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in piano performance from Cameron University (2005), and Masters (2009) and Doctoral (2012) degrees in church music, conducting, and vocal performance from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. John currently lives and works in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, where he is the Director of Music Ministries at Alliance United Methodist Church in Fort Worth and also freelances as a private teacher, pianist, classical vocalist, and composer. Over the past seventeen years, he has taught on the full-time music faculty of three colleges and one high school, and has served on the music staff of five congregations in Oklahoma and Texas. Through his various positions, Dr. Cornish has had extensive opportunities to conduct choral and orchestral ensembles in academic, professional, and church settings. Additionally, he has skill and expertise in vocal performance, piano/organ performance, music theatre directing, and composition. He is married to Dr. Jill Cornish, who teaches French at Baylor University, and is the proud dad of two children, Claire and Cameron.

Bob Simmons

Plano, TX
Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright)

Bob Simmons is a professional bassist with 20+ years of experience in all styles.

Jorge Alarcon

Dallas, TX
Clinician (Band), Tuba

Jorge Alarcon is the Director of Bands at South Hills High School. Mr. Alarcon’s musical education began in Arlington, TX. Mr. Alarcon received his Bachelor of Music Education in 2016 from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. Mr. Alarcon is in his 6th year of teaching. In 2014 and 2015, Mr. Alarcon was a member of two of the world’s elite and exclusive marching ensembles. Mr. Alarcon marched contra for Louisiana Stars Drum & Bugle Corps and Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps. In 2015, Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps placed 6th in the DCI World Championship World Class Finals in Indianapolis, IN. Mr. Alarcon gave back to the activity and joined Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps brass staff for the summers of 2017 & 2018. Southwind performed on the biggest night of the summer at the Drum Corps International Open Class Finals where they placed in the final top 12 both years. Mr. Alarcon is currently the principal Tubist with the New Texas Symphony Orchestra in Dallas, TX and plays Tuba with the Mansfield Wind Symphony. Mr. Alarcon was chosen for a once in a lifetime chance to march in the band of Band Directors from across the country in the 2021 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. This was the first opportunity for band directors to participate in an event of this nature in the history of the Rose Parade. Mr. Alarcon will get to extend his marching experience and will march in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York, City with the band made up of Band Directors.

Naomi Barrett

Hurst, TX
Clarinet, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Saxophone (Alto), Synthesizer, Transcribing, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Lyric soprano and pianist Naomi Rose received her Bachelor of Arts in Music concentrating in piano performance and pedagogy from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL, and has a Masters of Music in Church Music with concentrations in piano and voice performance from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Since 2010 Naomi has taught private instruction for piano, voice, clarinet, and saxophone across Dallas-Fort Worth, Illinois, and Minnesota. Naomi was an active performer and teacher in Hawai‘i from 2019-2022 while also managing Guitar Center Lessons which she had the privilege of growing from 45 to 400 students under her direction. While living in Hawai'i, Naomi performed as a chorister and soloist with Lutheran Church Honolulu (LCH), Honolulu Vocal Jazz, Early Music Hawai‘i (EMH), and Oahu Choral Society (OCS). In 2022 Naomi performed as a soloist for LCH in a special concert featuring Scandinavian music. Also in 2022, as part of a new project for Early Music Hawaii, Naomi and a few select educators taught their first seminar for an Elementary School about early music under the direction of her husband. Naomi was a founding member of Honolulu Vocal Jazz in 2021 where they performed throughout the island, including Brigham Young University. In 2019 Naomi had the privilege to sing with OCS alongside HSO for a performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Naomi performed as a soloist for a collaboration concert at the Blue Note Hawaii with OCS and Johnny Valentine, a local Hawaiian artist. In Texas, Naomi performed with Southwestern Master Chorale alongside the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) for Handel's Messiah and in a chosen chorus for a Video Game Concert. In Lifesong Studio's10th Anniversary Concert, 2016, Naomi was honored to accompany Violinist Michael Shih, concertmaster of the FWSO. She has toured as an instrumentalist and vocalist nationally and internationally across Europe and Asia since 2009. Naomi currently resides with her husband and their cat in the DFW Mid-City area. She is excited to be a part of this flourishing metroplex as an active educator and performer.

Fenia Chang

Plano, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Fenia is a Juilliard School Graduate in piano performance with a Doctorate degree in Piano Performance. Born in Taiwan, Fenia began piano study at age of 8 and made her solo debut at age of 11, after winning the first Japan Kawai Piano Competition in Taipei, Taiwan. The performance was broadcasted on national television in Taiwan. She has performed extensively at venues including the Museum of Modern Arts in New York, Washington Arts Club Concert Series, Kennedy Center, the Corcoran Gallery in Washington DC, the Strathmore Hall in Maryland, Fairfax Auditorium in Virginia, the Ellipse Arts Center, Friday Morning Music Club Artist Series in Washington DC. She appears as soloist with numerous orchestras including the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Maryland Chamber Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, the Albuquerque Symphony, New World Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic and National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra as well as Dallas Asian Youth Orchestra.

Susan Jensen

Dallas, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Susan has been studying the piano since age six (1996) and from age 11-23, she studied under Jacqueline Jensen. She studied under Alfred Mouledous, who was once a concert pianist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and professor at SMU. Susan believes in continuing education, whether through private lessons or summer intensives to help expand her abilities as a pianist and overall, a better musician. Susan has been taking voice lessons since Summer 2022 from a former Broadway veteran so she can better assist vocalists. She believes this is an important aspect of a collaborative pianist and should be prioritized. Susan is a mom to 2 wonderful kids! 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. She helps her husband with his aviation business and enjoys Hip-Hop dance classes whenever she has time.

Arielle Collier

Mesquite, TX
Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical)

Mark Alewine

Richardson, TX
Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor)

Mark Alewine is a private instructor for the Plano Independent School District and teaches woodwinds at The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Arts from West Texas A&M University where he studied saxophone with Don Lefevre. He is an active woodwind performer and adjudicator throughout Texas, and has served as guest clinician at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention on several occasions. His students have garnered many awards including TMEA all-state bands and jazz band, Texas Association of Symphony Orchestras young artist competition, Plano Symphony young artist competition, and Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony. His professional and student quartets have also appeared as finalists in the Fischoff National Chamber Ensemble Competition. Mark has performed with the Texas Wind Symphony, Dallas Wind Symphony, Texas Saxophone Quartet, Turtle Creek Chorale, Dallas Street Choir, Contemporary Chorale, Dallas Women's Chorus, Dallas Theatre Center, Theatre Three, Water Tower Theater, and many other musical theatre productions in the DFW area.

Jenna Henry

Fort Worth, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Jenna Henry graduated from John Brown University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s of Music Education, Piano Emphasis and was then hired as the head director at Montrose High School in Colorado for four years, where her choirs earned Superior ratings at festivals, she raised funding to open a piano lab class, and started an extracurricular competition a cappella group. After moving to Texas in 2019, Jenna began as the assistant choral director at V.R. Eaton High School, directing and accompanying ensembles, earning I ratings at UIL with her Non Varsity and Varsity treble ensembles. At both schools, she also accompanied for concerts, auditions and solo & ensemble competitions over the years. Currently, she is a stay-at-home mom with a small private piano/voice studio and she also still accompanies for Northwest ISD choirs & solo/ensemble voice and instrumental students. Her favorite part about teaching and accompanying is helping students be successful, feel confident and learn to love and appreciate music!

Nicholas Sardello

North Richland Hills, TX
Audio Technician, Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Videographer, Virtual Choir Producer

Nicholas earned his bachelor's degree in Music Education, but later moved into the AV industry, where he currently works as an Onsite Support Technician for one of the world's leading AV integrators on one of their Global Accounts in the DFW area.

Rebecca Lowrey

BLOOMBURG, TX
Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre)

Benjamin Foster

Flower Mound, TX
Trumpet

From Flower Mound, TX, Benjamin Foster has actively performed in the Dallas Brass Band Cornet section since 2021. In 2021, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance and additional coursework in the Arts Management and Entrepreneurship Minor. During his time in university, Benjamin studied in the Trumpet studio under his professor, Dr. Karl Sievers. Currently, Benjamin shares his expertise as a Private Lesson Instructor in the DFW metroplex. His work in music education brings results, seen by the success of his students. Many have flourished, earning positions in the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, students advancing to Area level auditions in the TMEA audition process, and State qualifiers in the UIL Solo Competition. The commitment to passing on the torch of musical knowledge exemplifies his dedication to fostering the next generation of musicians. In 2023, Benjamin clinched 3rd place in the Cornet Slow Melody Category at the North American Brass Band Championships Solo Competition. As well as performing with Dallas in the First Section (2022) and Championship Section (2023) at NABBC.

Junsoo Park

Dallas, TX
Violin

Wen Ling Chua

Frisco, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical)

Wen Ling Chua was born in Malaysia. She received her D.M.A in Piano Pedagogy at Texas Tech University, M.M in Missouri State University and Bachelor Degree of Performing Arts (Music) in University of Malaya, Malaysia. She obtained both performance diplomas: Associate Diploma and Licentiate Diploma from Trinity College of Music (London) in Solo Piano Recital with Distinction in 2006 and 2008 and she was awarded the Certificate of Excellence by Trinity College of Music, London. Her most influential teachers include Dr. Lora Deahl, Dr. Wei-Han Su, and Mr. Chong Lim Ng. Wen Ling and her trio group has been chosen as a First Prize Winner of 2019 “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition and performed at Carnegie Hall in the same year. She is also an active performer at Plano Music Teachers Association. She has performed at the annual Steinway Soirée since 2017. Dr. Chua is an independent piano teacher in the Frisco area and was an accompanist for Grand Prairie ISD for 5 years. Her students won numerous piano competitions including Steinway Junior Piano Competition, North Texas Piano Competition, American Protege Music Talent Competition, and PMTA Trophy Competitions.

Paul Thompson

McKinney, TX
Clinician (Choir), Clinician (Orchestra), Composing/Arranging, Oboe, Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Classical)

B.S. in Music Education (voice), M.A. in Choral Conducting. Arrange, Orchestrate, and Compose for movies, television, and albums. Professional experience: published by Beckenhorst, GIA, Hope, Hinshaw, Chorister's Guild, and Alliance. Multiple recording credits in Nashville. Movie scores recorded by London Symphony and others. Owner of House of El Music.

Clayton Williams

Lewisville, TX
Bassoon, Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Oboe, Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre), Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor)

Melissa Korzekwa

Fort Worth, TX
Piano

Melissa Korzekwa has an active private piano studio in Fort Worth, Texas. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education and is certified to teach all levels of music K-12 in the state of Texas. She has taught private piano lessons and public/private school music for more than thirty years. In addition to maintaining a private lesson studio, Melissa performs frequently as a freelance accompanist. She has extensive accompanying experience, having accompanied church worship services, school performing choirs, vocal and instrumental soloists for competition, and occasions such as weddings and funerals.

Michelle Flowers

Denton, TX
Trombone (Tenor)

Michelle Flowers is a freelance musician and the instructor of trombone at Texas Woman's University. Her performance career has allowed her to play in a variety of venues and performances around the world, from opera pits to circus shows and everything inbetween. She received her DMA and MM from the University of North Texas where she studied with Dr. Vern Kagarice and Tony Baker, and her BMus hons from Brigham Young University. She is currently based out of the DFW area.

Yesenia Campos

Garland, TX
Clinician (Orchestra), Viola, Violin

A native of Amarillo, TX, Mrs. Campos completed her graduate studies in Violin Performance at Southern Methodist University and her undergraduate studies in Violin Performance at West Texas A&M University. Her studies included work with world renowned soloist Chee-Yun Kim, mentors Annie Chalex, Tomas Cotik, and Dr. Keith Redpath. While at SMU, Mrs. Campos served as the graduate assistant for the chamber music program and while at WTAMU, Mrs. Campos served as concertmaster of the West Texas A&M Symphony Orchestra. While at WTAMU, Mrs. Campos was the recipient of the West Texas String Quartet scholarship all four years and a winner of the West Texas A&M Concerto Competition. As a violinist, Mrs. Campos has performed at several music festivals including the American Festival for the Arts, the Hot Springs Music Festival, and the Midwest Young Artist Music Festival which included masterclasses with Mark Kosower, Eugene Purdue, Young Nam Kim, and William Preucil. Mrs. Campos is currently a first violinist with the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra. As an orchestra director, Mrs. Campos’ orchestras have received consecutive Sweepstake awards and have received numerous recognitions at various festivals including being awarded Outstanding Performance and Best in Festival. Mrs. Campos currently resides in the Dallas area as Director of Orchestras for Kimbrough Middle School.

Gay Worley

Frisco, TX
Piano

Gay Worley has Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Baylor University and has many years of experience as a music teacher, choral director and accompanist. She also has experience as a music director and pianist for community theater and as a church pianist.

Kristen Thompson

Dallas, TX
Adjudicator, Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor)

Noted for playing with “remarkable intensity” and “dynamic interpretation” (The Clarinet), clarinetist Kristen Thompson is an established performer, educator, and clinician based in Dallas, Texas. Ms. Thompson maintains an active performance schedule in classical and musical theater venues across DFW, where she can be heard on multiple woodwinds. She holds an MM from the University of North Texas and a BA from SUNY Potsdam.

Elizabeth Aviles

Grand Prairie, TX
Piano

Anthony Holmes

Carrollton, TX
Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Mandolin, Other, Synthesizer, Ukulele, Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Anthony is a professional actor, vocalist, instrumentalist, pit musician, and music director. His degree is in theater from Oklahoma State University and most of his professional work experience is in musical theatre. Anthony plays 6 instruments: guitar, piano, mandocello, mandolin, ukulele, and bass. Recent work includes Shakespeare in Something Rotten, Anselmo/Guitar in Man of La Mancha; Guitar/Keys 2 on Godspell; Guitar on A Chorus Line, Grease, The Wedding Singer, Godspell and Bridges of Madison County; Music director/Guitar on The Wild Party, Black Nativity, and Cabaret.

Ekaterina (Katya) Chernaya Oh

Flower Mound, TX
Piano

Cheryl Lindquist

Dallas, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir), Composing/Arranging, Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer

Cheryl Cellon Lindquist, American pianist, vocal coach and conductor, is a renowned collaborator who has performed with an array of singers, instrumentalists, choirs, chamber ensembles and symphony orchestras. Known for her versatility of styles, she has been called an “outstanding soloist with intricate passagework” and an “excellent collaborator.” She co-founded the Art Song Center for Poets and Musicians with Ruth C. Friedberg, and continues to serve as Artistic/Executive Director. Dr. Lindquist most recently served as the Music Director of Opera Studies at Texas State University. She maintains an active performing schedule, and has a private coaching studio that includes numerous opera singers, university faculty and students, chamber musicians, and amateurs. Dr. Lindquist is an avid recitalist, passionate about promoting works of living composers and continuing the vision and legacy of Ruth Friedberg to promote poetry and music of the art song repertoire.

Andrea Diggs

Plano, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Andrea Diggs has performed as a solo pianist over the last 30 years and an accompanist for 20 years. She is classically trained as well as experienced in gospel music and musical theatre. She often performs for weddings and church services. She taught choir, piano and musical theatre for fifteen years and was Head of an Arts school for three years.

Mary Shinn

Plano, TX
Flute, Organ, Piano

Though my degrees are in Music Education and Flute Performance, I enjoy accompanying adults and students of all ages. I play twice monthly as organist at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church, receiving my Service Playing Certificate from the American Guild of Organists in 2019. I am happy to sub the other two weeks in churches on piano or organ if I am comfortable that my skills are adequate. My flute playing also extends to my ensemble of five Flutists ( Flute Suite) where we utilize bass flute, alto flute, piccolo and C flute and play all styles of literature.

Xiaoyan Wang

Frisco, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical)

After obtaining my DMA in Piano Performance from the University of Alabama, I moved to the Dallas area and began private studio instruction. My other degrees include: BA in Musicology (Shenyang Conservatory of Music), MM in Piano Performance (West Texas A&M University), and MM in Piano Pedagogy (Texas Tech University). Many of my students have been accepted into piano departments by reputable insititutions. Over the past four years, I have had the opportunity to perform as an accompanist for the Plano and Garland school districts. I have collaborated with choral, band, and theatre departments at numerous schools in these districts, primarily playing advanced literature with higher achieving students.

Robert Lewis

Dallas, TX
Organ, Piano

Robert Lewis has a bachelors and masters degree in music education. He has also been a church musician (keys/Hammond organ) for over 20 years.

James Benecasa

Hurst, TX
Composing/Arranging, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer

James (Jimmy) Benecasa has served as a collaborative pianist and teacher for the past 15 years. He received his graduate degree in piano performance from Missouri State University in 2015, and is a 2012 graduate of Evangel University with a degree in Music Industry. His teaching credentials include piano, choir, and theory classes at Nixa Public Schools, Evangel University, Missouri State University, and Midwestern State University. James has dedicated himself to the art of piano performance, with an abundance of appearances on stages throughout the country and overseas. He has been staff accompanist for multiple opera companies including the Springfield Regional Opera and Red River Lyric Opera, performing notable works such as Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, Donizetti’s Elixir of Love, and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, among others. James has received placements and honorable mentions for performance in the prestigious Chopin Society of Houston, National Fine Arts Festivals, HMTA piano contests, and the Houston Symphony concerto competition. Currently, James resides in Fort Worth, TX and is the organist in residence at University United Methodist Church. Aside from the keyboard, James enjoys composing and recording works of his own, with over a dozen albums to date and a number of film scores. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Katrina, and their two dogs.

Andrew Goins

Arlington, TX
Adjudicator, Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright), Clinician (Orchestra)

As a performer, Andrew Goins enjoys an active and diverse freelance performing schedule on both double bass and bass guitar. He plays in numerous orchestras, jazz groups, pit ensembles, and the occasional rock band. He regularly plays with the Dallas Winds, the premier professional wind ensemble in the United States, and recently recorded a CD featuring the works of renowned composer John Mackey. Andrew has accompanied Bobby McFerrin, Itzhak Perlman, and Chris Martin, among others. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Studies from The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied double bass with Dr. David Neubert and Mr. John Fremgen. Mr. Goins has served on the faculty for summer camps at Oklahoma State University, the University of Texas at Arlington, Baylor University, and Sam Houston State University. He has many former students who have gone on to perform, teach, and create music. You can read more at https://andrewgoins.com/about/

Ashley Westgate

Flower Mound, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir), Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Piano, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Ashley is a vocalist and percussionist with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Music Education from the University of North Texas. She has experience as a high school choral director and is a TMAA adjudicator.

Diane Camp

GARLAND, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Diane Camp is a freelance accompanist serving school choirs and instrumental and vocal soloists throughout the Dallas area. For 10 years, she taught piano lab classes at Austin Academy for Excellence in Garland. Prior to joining the staff at Austin Academy, she taught private piano 16 years. She has been a church pianist for more than 45 years and also has directed church children's choirs and handbell choirs. She has been active in Garland, Wylie, Rockwall and Highland Park ISDs as a choral and musical theater pianist and she accompanies extensively for the UIL solo and ensemble contests each year for band, choir and orchestra. She earned Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from East Texas State University in Commerce. If Diane is not in a rehearsal somewhere, she’s probably having fun somewhere with one of her four grandchildren.

Nathaniel Geiger

Allen, TX
Euphonium, Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor)

Nathaniel Geiger is an active low brass musician and music educator based in Dallas-Fort Worth. Nathaniel was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois, where he began playing trombone at the age of ten. He holds degrees from Illinois State University (Bachelors of Music Education, Summa Cum Laude), and Michigan State University (Masters of Music Performance.) He currently serves as a trombone, bass trombone, and euphonium instructor for Allen and McKinney ISD, and previously served as a low brass instructor for Richardson ISD. Nathaniel’s students consistently advance to TMEA All-Region, Area, and All-State ensembles, and receive superior ratings and awards at solo and ensemble contests. They are recognized within their school music programs, and have performed in TMEA state-winning ensembles. His students have also been accepted into various competitions and programs including the Malcolm Helm Honors Recital and Interlochen Fine Arts Camp, and ensembles including the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and the Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra. While in Dallas, Nathaniel has performed with the Allen Philharmonic, The Dallas Millennial Choir And Orchestra, The Frisco Jazz Band, and Rockwall Summer Musicals. Nathaniel has also performed with The Illinois Symphony, The Lansing Symphony, The Rochester Symphony, The Michigan Philharmonic, and The Midland Symphony. He has also served as principal trombone of The Urbana Pops Orchestra, and has won positions at the Round Top Festival Institute and The Sewanee Summer Music Festival. Nathaniel was the winner of the Low Brass Solo Competition at the North American Brass Band Championships in 2016, and was a finalist for concerto competitions at Illinois State and Michigan State. Nathaniel has recorded the music of David Maslanka, John Mackey, Stephen Bryant, and other prominent wind band composers with both Illinois State and Michigan State, performing on the CD "Monuments’’, winner of the 2015 “American Prize” for College Wind Ensemble Recordings. He has also recorded for film and documentary soundtracks for “Blue Police Box Music”, a multimedia composition studio based in Los Angeles. In 2014, Nathaniel gave the inaugural recital of the Urbana Pops Orchestra’s now annual “Principal Recital Series.” Nathaniel has also performed extensively with American brass bands. Nathaniel is currently the Principal Trombonist and Logistics Director of The Dallas Brass Band, and has also performed, soloed, and recorded with The Five Lakes Silver Band and The Capital City Brass Band. In 2017, Nathaniel was invited on an international contest tour of England and Scotland with the current reigning North American Champion Fountain City Brass Band, where the group placed 2nd at “Brass In Concert”, a contest featuring top bands from five countries, and 3rd at “The Scottish Open.” Nathaniel is active as a teacher in the marching arts. He is an alumnus of the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps and the Macy's Great American Marching Band, and has served as a music and visual instructor for high school marching band programs in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas. Students Nathaniel has taught through marching band have gone on to march with The Colts and Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps’. Nathaniel’s previous teachers include Ava Ordman, Mark Babbitt, Phil Sinder, Jim Pugh, Dave Dickey, and Garrett Mendez, and he has been a featured performer in masterclasses for Joseph Alessi, John Kitzman, Alex Iles, Mark Kellogg, and Kenneth Thompkins. Nathaniel is a member of the International Trombone Association and the music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Jaime Esposito

Denton, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Jaime Esposito is a percussion performer and educator based out of Dallas, Texas. Jaime co-founded Spectrum Ensemble, Lauded by ClassicFM as one of the top 11 LGBTQ ensembles in the world, A non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting talented LGBTQA+ composers and performers. The ensemble commissions and performs new music by Queer composers, raises funds for LGBTQA+ causes, and advocates for marginalized members of the music community. As a performer, Esposito has been an international artist with the International Lyric Academy in italy, and Britten-Pears Festival in the United Kingdom. Domestically, Jaime has been an artist with the World Percussion Group and Heartland Marimba collective, where they performed concerts and offered coaching sessions to students across the country. Esposito frequently plays with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Texarkana Symphony, Allen Symphony, Abilene Philharmonic, and Dallas Chamber Winds. As an educator, Esposito currently serves as a private lessons instructor and front ensemble tech at LD Bell High School in Hurst, Texas. Additionally, Jaime has taught as an adjunct professor at North Texas Central College, front ensemble tech for the Vigilantes Indoor Percussion Ensemble, sectional coach for the Fort Worth Youth Symphony, and drumline instructor at the Culver Military Academy. Jaime holds a Masters of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from Northwestern University. Their primary teachers include She-e Wu, James Ross, Chris Lamb, Christopher Deane, and Robert Schietroma. Jaime currently lives in Denton, Texas with their wife Isabelle and children Hodge and Elzora.

Dameron Growe

Arlington, TX
Clinician (Choir), Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

I am a DFW metroplex native. I have been playing piano and singing for churches, schools, and private events. My expertise is in choirs (accompanying, teaching, directing), Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Classical, and Pop. I love teaching and coaching young performers. Being well-versed in piano and vocal technique serves me well.

Emily Guerrero

San Diego, CA
Viola, Violin

Ms. Emily has been playing violin/viola for 16 years and teaching for about 10 years. She began playing the viola at twelve years old when she joined the orchestra program at her middle school. She immediately grew a passion for music and knew she wanted to be a musician for the rest of her life. Ms. Emily then decided to pursue a career in music. She studied Viola Performance at The University of Texas at Arlington, and has also attended competitive music festivals in Canada, New York, and Oregon where she studied with various world-renowned instructors from prestigious schools like Juilliard, the New England Boston Conservatory and Eastman School of Music. Fortunately for Ms. Emily, she shares her passion for music every week through her professional career as a performer and a teacher.

Mai Quynh Nguyen

Richardson, TX
Piano

Mai Quynh Nguyen is an accomplished and highly sought after collaborative pianist with over two decades of performance experience. Graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance from the Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts, Mai Quynh studied under the tutelage of internationally renowned artist-teachers Dr. Carol Leone, and Prof. Alfred Mouledous, including a semester abroad at the Bösendorfer International Piano Academy in Vienna. Growing up in the Vietnamese Catholic community and playing for services and church gatherings even in early childhood, Mai Quynh currently holds several professional music leadership positions at a variety of churches in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex including the Church of the Incarnation (Dallas), St. Joseph Catholic Church (Richardson), and St. Gabriel the Archangel (McKinney), and has an intimate knowledge of Christian church traditions across a broad range of denominations and is comfortable playing in both classical and contemporary styles. Mai Quynh also plays school masses for both St. Monica and St. Joseph Catholic Schools. In all of her professional activities, Mai Quynh is recognized for her sensitivity, collegiality, and close attention to musical detail.

Alex Smith

Plano, TX
Piano Technician

Head piano technician Midwestern State University Tuner - Wideman International Piano Competetion Tuner - Carrollton, McKinney, Argyle ISD Tuner - Baylor University Tuner - several local Steinway Artists, MTA teachers, MTA festival tunings and many 1000's member of public

Martin Morgan

farmers branch, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer, Transcribing

Growing up in Plano, Texas, the majority of Martin's childhood was focused on activities other than music. His first experience playing music began around the age of seven with classical piano lessons. While classical music was the starting point of his musical education, jazz, soul, R&B, and gospel music became important influences. Martin attended the University of North Texas and graduated in the Spring of 2015 with a Bachelors of Music in Composition. While at school, Martin began playing with groups of varying styles and is currently freelancing in the Dallas area.

Taylor Williams

Denton, TX
Violin

James Romig

Cross Roads, TX
Piano Technician

Mr. Romig has a degree in Music Education from Howard Payne University. His primary instrument is french horn and voice. He has held positions in music ministry, band directorship, music retail, and instrument repair. He is currently on staff at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas as a bass section leader. His primary role is as an orchestral luthier at Dallas Strings in Allen, Texas. He has been tuning pianos since 2019, and is a member of the Piano Technicians Guild.

Michael Ptacin

Dallas, TX
Adjudicator, Audio Technician, Composing/Arranging, Other, Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Programming, Virtual Choir Producer

I teach private lessons and freelance in Dallas. My main performance area is musical theater. I play drum set and percussion and own a large inventory of acoustic and electronic instruments (drum set, marimba, vibraphone, chimes, xylo, bells, timpani, and all manner of accessories and world percussion). I am a sub/extra with Dallas Winds, and prior to moving to Dallas, performed with orchestras and choirs in North Carolina. I have graduate degrees in percussion performance from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Melissa Bosma

Fort Worth, TX
Oboe

Melissa Bosma is the newly appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor of Oboe at the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Bosma served as Lecturer of Oboe at Oklahoma State University, where she also served as Director of the OSU Summer Music Camp. She also served as Adjunct Instructor of Oboe at Heidelberg University, where she performed with the faculty woodwind quintet, regularly performed at the New Music Festival, and commissioned new solo works for oboe and piano. Ms. Bosma has taught extensively in Texas, Michigan, and Oklahoma through her studio and master classes at many local middle and high schools. She currently maintains a private studio at the Texas Music Institute, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, Northwest ISD, and Birdville ISD. Passionate about sharing oboe pedagogy with other educators, Ms. Bosma has given presentations at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. Ms. Bosma is an active orchestral musician who has performed with groups such as the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Michigan Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony, Tulsa Symphony, and Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Also an accomplished chamber musician, Ms. Bosma attended the Sarasota Music Festival and was a Fellow at Music Academy of the West where she was a featured soloist under the baton of Grammy-nominated conductor Nicholas McGegan. Melissa Bosma graduated with Master of Music degrees in both Oboe Performance and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Oboe Performance from Southern Methodist University. Her primary teachers include Erin Hannigan and Nancy Ambrose King.

Kaleb Barrett

Hurst, TX
Audio Technician, Bass (Electric), Clinician (Choir), Composing/Arranging, Transcribing, Virtual Choir Producer, Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Kaleb A. Barrett grew up in New England where developed an appreciation for traditional music styles with a passion for new tonal techniques. His compositional style has been described as Neo-Renaissance. Barrett received a B.A. in Music from Trinity International University and an M.M. in Composition and Conducting from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth Texas. He has had the pleasure of performing nationally and internationally with various ensembles, had pieces performed by groups such as the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra, and formerly served on the board of directors for Early Music Hawaii. Barrett currently serves as a teacher for Bethesda Christian School in Fort Worth, Texas.

Pamela McLain

Double Oak, TX
Adjudicator, Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer

Pamela McLain has been playing piano since age 6 and accompanying choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists since age 12. More recently, she has been a music director, voice teacher, piano teacher, accompanist, and adjudicator in DFW/North Texas for over 20 years, specializing in musical theatre but also feeling at home with school choir and band departments as well as churches.

Sharon Bailey

Garland, TX
Piano

SHARON BAILEY has enjoyed a wide range of musical experiences in her career as a pianist and accompanist. She has accompanied many public school choirs in the Dallas area, frequently plays for All-Region Choirs, and has served as an accompanist for the Youth Chorus of Greater Dallas. Sharon is currently the accompanist for choirs, opera, and musical theatre productions at Dallas Baptist University. She has also had the opportunity to accompany numerous vocal and instrumental soloists and various musical performances throughout the state and internationally. Sharon maintained a private piano studio for many years and has been the pianist for Lakeside Baptist Church/Lake Pointe in Dallas since 1987. As a lifelong fan of musical theatre, she has enjoyed playing the keyboard in several local theatre productions, in addition to acting as musical director for summer camp musical productions. Sharon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Music and Speech Pathology and Audiology and a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Hardin-Simmons University. She is a member of TMEA and Sigma Alpha Iota.

Maren Flechsig

Dallas, TX
Violin

Maren is a violinist in the DFW area that loves to perform in all types of capacities. Having earned her BM at UT Arlington, she is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in music performance at SMU as well as teaching and performing around Dallas/Fort Worth and other areas in the metroplex. She loves to perform many genres including orchestral, chamber, and contemporary or new music.

Chad Ostermiller

Lewisville, TX
Bassoon, Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Oboe, Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor)

Chris Milyo

Fort Worth, TX
Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor), Transcribing

Chris Milyo is a saxophonist, bandleader, and educator active in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. His style blends traditional roots and the big sound of the Texas tenor along with contemporary elements, creating an energetic and eclectic experience for jazz fans and casual listeners alike. Milyo grew up in suburb of Southlake, Texas where he graduated from Southlake Carroll High School. Milyo then went to pursue music at the University of Texas at Arlington where he studied with Tim Ishii, Chris McGuire, Adonis Rose, and Stefan Karlsson. He regularly leads his own big band as well as smaller ensembles. His small group holds a weekly residency at Scat Jazz Lounge in Fort Worth, TX. Chris Milyo has had the opportunity to play alongside musical greats such as Jimmy Cobb, Eddie Gomez, Curtis Fuller, Randy Brecker, Cyrille Aimee, Ellis Marsalis, Ron Westray, Delfaeyo Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Brad Leali, Adonis Rose, John Brown, Fred Sanders, Ashlin Parker, and many more. He has also had the opportunity to travel internationally with the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra tour. In addition to maintaining a busy performance schedule, Chris Milyo is a band director for the Music Learning Band program where he works with students from 4th-12th grade teaching a variety of musical styles.

Daniel Chilton

Plano, TX
Cello, Clinician (Orchestra)

Kristin Spires

Burleson, TX
Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Shinhye Choi

Carrollton, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Shinhye Choi is a pianist, accompanist, and piano educator with over ten years of experience in solo performance, accompaniment, and piano education. Her extensive accompaniment experience spans vocal, instrumental, choral, and church settings, including performances on both piano and organ. She has also served as a principal piano member in an orchestra. Additionally, Choi has a robust background in piano teaching. She has achieved first place in the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition and the Charleston International Music Competition, as well as securing fourth place in the International Clara Schumann Piano Competition. Choi received music scholarships at Michigan State University, where she earned her Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy. Furthermore, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano, with a minor in Organ, from Hanyang University in South Korea. There, she was awarded academic scholarships, obtained her music teacher certificate, and graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors.

Julia Kossuth

Fort Worth, TX
Piano

Hollie Dzierzanowski

Denton, TX
Viola

AJ Roberts

Dallas, TX
Clinician (Choir), Programming, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Alfrelynn is the Chorus Master for Fort Worth Opera and Artistic Director for South Dallas Concert Choir. For the past six seasons as Artistic Director, Alfrelynn conducted many concerts including AT&T Performing Arts' production of the Underground Railroad featuring Kathleen Battle. She also served as the music and stage director for two different productions of Ain't Misbehavin. Currently, Alfrelynn is the vocal/choral coach for four (4) high schools [(3) in Dallas ISD and one (1) Duncanville ISD]. In addition to choral and vocal work, Alfrelynn also works with schools on virtual projects including the recording and production of full concerts, and other virtual songs. Singing Sample – Ride Up in the Chariot - arr. Joseph Joubert (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RYEjP0KEcc&feature=youtu.be) Senza mamma from Sour Angelica by Puccini (https://youtu.be/n-3secaeQEo) Virtual Choir Projects Plano Community Forum MLK Day Celebration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxNwf0BVa-M&t=1127s) His Light Still Shines - Fort Worth Opera (https://youtu.be/m3svXli2SD0) You’ll Give Big - Texas Communities Foundation - North Texas Giving Day Project (https://vimeo.com/457149246/2e43af77bd) Revelation 19:1 - St. Luke “Community” UMC Sanctuary Choir (https://vimeo.com/463963588/e74eb9064f) Other sample virtual projects available upon request.

W. Brent Sawyer

Frisco, TX
Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre)

Graduate of Booker T Washington High School of the Performing & Visual Arts. Graduate of SMU - Meadows School of Music on Piano Scholarship with a Bachelor's of Music degree specializing in Music Theory and Composition. I have worked in the pit of 5 Broadway Shows and have Music Directed 13 Off-Broadway Productions and Have Conducted/Music Directed/Played keyboards in approximately 200 productions across the country. Was briefly the Music Supervisor at Casa Manana theater in Fort Worth and has worked on 20 productions at that theater. Voted Best Music Director for Dallas Awards 2015, 2016, 2017 at BroadwayWorld.com. I am A private vocal coach in New York City and have worked with many of Broadways top talents. I am a published composer and Orchestrator.

Catherine Conlin

Denton, TX
Bassoon, Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), English Horn, Flute, Oboe, Piccolo, Recorder, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor)

Catherine Conlin is an active performer, educator, and clinician, in the North Texas area. She recently received her Masters in clarinet performance from the University of North Texas, where she was a member of the Concert Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and appeared on multiple recordings with the North Texas Wind Symphony. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Catherine spent many years as an orchestral player and woodwind doubler in the Greater Cleveland area, holding principal clarinet positions in the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra and the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, where she also held the Eb clarinet position. She has been featured as a soloist with the Cleveland State University Symphony, under the direction of Victor Liva, and with the Cleveland State Clarinet Choir, under the direction of Theodore Johnson. She was also an active chamber musician and performed regularly with her woodwind quintet, All-Star Winds. Recently, she was a finalist in the International Clarinet Association’s Orchestral Audition competition and a woodwind finalist in UNT’s prestigious concerto competition. She is also an active woodwind doubler in the DFW area, performing for Firehouse Theater, Company of Rowlett Players, Lakeside Community Theater, Greater Lewisville Community Theater, and North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Theater. She is currently teaches clarinet and saxophone in Prosper ISD and Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.

Rashaad Calaham

Coppell, TX
Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto)

Rashaad Calaham is frequently asked to perform in various capacities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex: he is a woodwind doubler, with proficiencies on flute, oboe, clarinet, and saxophone; he is an oboist and singer at the Cathedral of Hope; an Artistic Associate for the Turtle Creek Chorale of Dallas, TX; oboist in the Dallas Chamber Wind Ensemble, and a singer in the Voices of Fort Worth. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, majoring in both Instrumental and Vocal Music Performance. Mr. Calaham also obtained his Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he studied Conducting.

Tingting Yao

Huntsville, TX
Piano

Chinese-American pianist Tingting Yao is an avid collaborative pianist and chamber musician based in Huntsville, Texas where she is the Staff Pianist at Sam Houston State University. Prior to moving to Texas, she held the position of the Staff Pianist at the University of Memphis-Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. Tingting was in demand as a collaborative pianist in Birmingham, England and Shenzhen, China, where she worked as a piano teacher at Lang Lang’s first piano school. Ms. Yao began piano studies at the age of three, won regional and national competitions at seven, was accepted into the primary school affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory at ten. Ms. Yao holds degrees from the United Kingdom, Australia and China.

Weslie Harman

Burleson, TX
Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Tara Sikon

Lewisville, TX
Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical)

Joshua Green

Arlington, TX
Adjudicator, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop)

Holding a BM in piano performance and MM in piano pedagogy, Joshua Green is a faculty member at both Dallas Baptist University and Tarrant County College where he teaches class piano, private applied piano, and courses in Music Appreciation. In addition, Mr. Green continues to freelance as a solo performer and collaborative pianist throughout the DFW area and is available to provide music for weddings, parties, and events for all occasions; as well as accompany for recitals, concerts, auditions, UIL competitions, etc.

Michael Dooley

Carrollton, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Michael is a percussionist and drum set player with 12 years of professional freelancing experience, specializing in musical theatre. Past clients include Garland Summer Musicals, MainStage Irving, Theatre Arlington, Brick Road Theatre, and Theatre Coppell. Michael is comfortable using electronics. He has a Masters Degree in Percussion Performance from TCU.

Colton Blake

Forest Hill, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Colton Blake is a distinguished educator, conductor, clinician, and speaker from Fort Worth, TX. He currently works as a Creative Choral Consultant and is highly admired for the creative passion and energy he brings to the field of education. He actively travels as an invited clinician for honor choirs and festivals throughout the state and is frequently invited to lead educational developments on his innovative approach to creating and cultivating student connection in the choral classroom and beyond.

Myung-Jin Wright

Mckinney, TX
Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer

MJ Wright has been working as a solo and collaborative pianist for more than 25 years in NYC and DFW area. She received a Bachelor and Master of Music from The Juilliard School of Music and has been working on her Doctor of Musical Art from UNT. MJ has been serving as a collaborative pianist for Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, and Allen Symphony Chorus as well as serving the First United Methodist Church in Allen as a worship pianist/ organist.

Dennis Langevin

McKinney, TX
Bass (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)

Bradley Hetherington

Frisco, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Bradley Hetherington, M.M., NCTM is from Davis, Oklahoma, where he began studying piano at the age of eight. In 2019 he graduated Cum Laude from Oklahoma Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance with an Emphasis in Pedagogy followed by a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Christian University in 2021. While he was at TCU, he was inducted into the prestigious music society, Pi Kappa Lambda. During his educational career he has been under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Dean, Dr. Ann Gipson, and Mr. Harold Martina. Bradley has performed in several solo piano recitals and one lecture recital which highlighted his graduate research in teaching piano to the special needs student. In October of 2022 he completed a certificate in Special Needs and Inclusive Education. Hetherington is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). Bradley currently teaches piano and music theory at The Coppell Conservatory while also holding a position as the collaborative pianist at Collin College, Plano campus. He serves as the vice-president of Carrollton Music Teachers Association. In 2021 he founded The Center for Special Needs and Piano Pedagogy, a website dedicated to gathering known resources for teaching piano to the special needs student. Prior to his current positions, he has held teaching positions as a Graduate Assistant at Texas Christian University, The TCU Preparatory Department, Parker Piano Studios, and the Oklahoma Baptist University Preparatory Department as well as maintaining a private studio since 2013. Bradley has taught private and group piano, music theory, and aural skills to pre-college, college, and adult students. His students are active in recitals, festivals, and competitions.

Alicia Marks

Fort Worth, TX
Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

I am a classically trained musician with a degree in music education and a focus on vocal music (University of Nebraska Lincoln 2002). I have extensive experience in a variety of choral repertoire, vocal jazz, opera, and musical theater. As a member of a church worship team, I have had opportunities to lead in both praise band style and traditional worship. My goal is to invite people to engage in the worship experience.

Monya Logan

Dallas, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Jesse Chandler

Denton, TX
Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Composing/Arranging, Flute, Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Programming, Synthesizer, Transcribing

Jesse Chandler hails from the the storied magical music town of Woodstock, NY. He has a BFA in jazz piano/organ performance from the New School/Mannes College of Music in NYC. He is a member of the internationally-acclaimed bands Midlake and Mercury Rev, and has recorded and toured all over the world with both bands with other acts such as Pearl Jam and Neil Young. He has played and toured with Norah Jones, Cass McCombs, and Susanne Sundfor as well. He is also part of the band BNQT with members of Franz Ferdinand, Travis, Grandaddy and Band of Horses, which released one album and appeared on the Seth Meyers Show, and has his own band called Pneumatic Tubes with Rachel Goswell of Slowdive, which is about to release a second album in early 2022 on Ghost Box Records. He is a member of Tears of Silver (with Ken Stringfellow- from the Posies, REM and Big Star). He has also gained recognition as an arranger for the orchestrations he did for Mercury Rev live with the Northern Sinfonia in 2017. He lives in Denton, TX where he teaches piano and does accompaniment work while he’s not in the studio or touring.

Howard Dietz

Lewisville, TX
Clarinet, Clinician (Band), Flute, Piano (Jazz/Pop), Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor)

Saxophonist Howard Dietz, is a musician from the Bay Area. During his high school years, Howard played alto with the award-winning SFJAZZ All-Stars Orchestra and All-Stars Combo, the California All-State Jazz Band, Reno Jazz Festival All-Star Combo and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. Both the SFJAZZ All-Stars Orchestra and Combo won the 2013 Conglomerate Category DownBeat Student awards. He also received a 2013 DownBeat student award for his arrangement of “Fables of Faubus” written by Charles Mingus; and was spotlighted in an interview in the magazine. Over time he has performed at many prestigious venues and festivals throughout the country including Davies Symphony Hall, The Jazz Standard, Montreal Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival and SFJAZZ Center. He has also done concerts with Pete Escovedo, Bobby Hutcherson, Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Kenny Barron, the San Francisco Symphony, Christian McBride, Joe Lovano, Carl Allen, Sean Jones and Stefon Harris. During his senior year in college, Howard was awarded the grand prize winner of the 2016 Saxophone Idol competition sponsored by Buffet Crampon and Julius Keilwerth. He also won a 2017 Downbeat award as an undergraduate “Outstanding Soloist”. In late June, he was selected nationally as a Yamaha Young Performing Artist and performed at the Music For All Symposium in Muncie, Indiana. Howard is a graduate from the University of North Texas where he studied under Brad Leali and was a member of the 7 time Grammy nominated One O’ Clock Lab Band.

Sheryl Sebo

Leander, TX
Harpsichord, Organ, Piano

Sheryl has a Masters of Sacred Music (organ) from Boston University STH and DMA (organ) from Rutgers University. Recently retired from full-time work, she has held church music positions, part-time and full-time since 1972, as organist, choral and instrumental director, and as accompanist, and enjoy working with people of any age.

Richard Adams

Lewisville, TX
Trumpet

Richard Adams joined the brass faculty of TWU in Fall 2015. He has performed with the Dallas Opera, the Dallas Winds, the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, the Lyric Stage (Irving), Odysseus Chamber Orchestra, La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Symphony (Minneapolis), Enid Symphony, as well as other freelance performances in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Minneapolis/St. Paul metro areas. He has performed as guest artist for the Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference (with the Impact Brass Quintet), Texas Clarinet Colloquium (2011 on the Jacob Double Concerto for Clarinet and Trumpet), II Internacional de Musica Erudita de Piracicaba (2011 with the Impact Brass Quintet), and Music From Greer (2004-2005 brass quintet). Richard recorded with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony for several volumes of the Teaching Music Though Performance series by GIA Publications. He also recorded for the Standard of Excellence Jazz in Concert series published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company. Prior teaching experience includes The Dallas Trumpet Workshop (2015), Adjunct Trumpet Instructor at Abilene Christian University, and McMurry University (Fall 2014), Denton ISD private lesson teacher, trumpet Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas, group lesson instructor for the MacPhail Center for Music (Minneapolis), and trumpet instructor and assistant band director for the Mt. Olivet School of Music (Minneapolis). Richard was also an ITG Conference Scholarship Winner in 2006. Richard's former teachers include Keith Johnson, David Baldwin, Gary Bordner, Karen Gustafson, James Klages and Stephen Goforth. He is a member of the Texas Music Educator's Association, and the International Trumpet Guild. In addition to teaching at Texas Woman's University, Richard currently maintains a private studio in Coppell, and he continues to be an active freelancer in the area.

Bruce Greer

Flower Mound, TX
Accordion, Composing/Arranging, Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Recorder, Synthesizer, Transcribing, Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Bruce Greer has become one of the most popular and highly regarded writers for church music in the country with hundreds of titles and projects published by a wide array of leading publishers. He has won a Dove Award, Christian Music's highest honor, for his arranging and orchestrating. His commanding solo piano artistry, as well as his artistic collaboration with Grammy-winning vocalist, Cynthia Clawson, has taken him around the world, (from England to Asia, Canada and all over the U.S.) performing in churches, conferences and leading concert halls. Bruce has musically directed and played for various theatres here in DFW. Currently he is pursuing his passion for writing musical theater and frequently collaborates with lyricist Keith Ferguson. They have found success through their works, most notably their popular musical adaptations of It's a Wonderful Life (licensing available through www.BroadwayLicensing.com), and A Christmas Carol. Their musical Hidden, based on the Book of Esther, is in development. Their most recent work is a musical adaptation John Grisham’s novel, Skipping Christmas. Bruce and Kim, his precious wife of over thirty six, have four married sons and eight grandkids. www.BruceGreer.com

Stacey Figueroa

Frisco, TX
Piano

Stacy has 15+ years experience accompanying middle and high school choir and 30+ years experience playing for worship services, She also enjoys playing for band, orchestra, and vocal soloists.

Derek Molacek

Plano, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Band), Composing/Arranging, Euphonium, Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor), Tuba

Dr. Derek J. Molacek is a trombonist, euphoniumist, composer and arranger currently based out of Plano, Texas. A master's graduate of the University of North Texas in 2009, Derek was previously a member of The USAF Band of the Golden West, where amongst other performances, played euphonium in a joint concert with the San Francisco Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas. As a member of the Commanders Jazz Ensemble, he performed at the 2011 and 2012 Monterey Jazz Festivals. He was an active performer in the Omaha-Lincoln-Southwest Iowa Region from 2017-2022 performing with Andy William and the Nebraska All-Stars (salsa/Afro-Cuban), the Omaha Symphony, Lincoln Municipal Band (concert band), Nebraska Brass Band (British brass band), and with former The Voice contestant Josh Hoyer (soul, blues, funk). Derek is a two-time semifinalist (2006, 2019) of the Rich Matteson Jazz Competition as well. From 2022-2023 Derek was based in Cullman, Alabama where he directed the Wallace State Community College Concert Band, and actively performed as a jazz trombonist for the Matt Leder Quintet and a euphonium soloist with the Brass Band of Huntsville for the 2023 North American Brass Band Association Championships. He re-located to Plano in August, 2023 and is an active teacher through Plano, Rockwall, and Lewisville ISDs.

Ashley Staggs

Dallas, TX
Harpsichord, Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre), Violin

Doctor of Musical Arts, University of North Texas Master of Music, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Bachelor of Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts

Joe Feldstein

Arlington, TX
Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)

Joe Feldstein has been performing Bass (upright and jazz ) in musical theatres in the DFW metroplex from Granbury to Denton for more than 30 years. He also plays in 18 piece swing bands and combos playing jazz standards. Joe reads well and is reliable. He taught school and now dedicates his time to musical theatre.

Tim Effler

Dallas, TX
Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Pianist, Organist, Accompanist, Vocal Coach, Musical Director with over 30 years experience producing exceptional musical performances. BMus in Organ Performance; MM in Collaborative Piano; MM in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance.

Kamilya Akhmetova

Dallas, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical)

Kamilya Akhmetova was born in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan. She started play the piano when she was 7 in Pavlodar music school. In 2010 she was invited to the Republican kazakh specialized music school named after Akhmet Zhubanov in Almaty to continue her education. At the age of 18 Kamilya made debut with the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Kazakhstan playing L. Beethoven’s Concerto No. 3 c moll. In 2014 she finished the school with honors and was entered to the Kazakh National University of Arts in Nur-Sultan (Astana) to study piano in the class of professor Sara Assabayeva. There she started to have elective organ lessons in the class of assistant professor Saltanat Abilkhanova. In August 2015 she attended the 5th European Organ Academy in Leipzig, Germany. In 2016 she received Diploma on “III Siberian International Chopin Piano competition” Tomsk, Russia, and became a stipendiary of the First President Foundation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On the last year of study, she passed the selection of academic mobility program and one semester studied at the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory (Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello Venezia), Venice, Italy. After finishing the Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance with honors in 2018 she became a teacher at school and college at Kazakh National University of Arts. Kamilya is a Diploma-recipient at the XX Open Festival-Competition of Organ Music Gatchina - St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia (2019) and Diploma- recipient of the Second International Competition for Young Composers and Organists "Baikal Toccata", Irkutsk, Russia (2019). She currently is a Master’s Degree student at Southern Methodist University in the studio of Stefan Engels.

Emily Horton

Fort Worth, TX
Composing/Arranging, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer, Transcribing

Emily Horton is a classically trained pianist, accompanist and composer living and working in the DFW area. Emily has experience playing piano in a variety of venues, having worked as an accompanist, studio musician, church pianist and wedding performer. Her experience ranges from working with choirs, actors, other instrumentalists, worship bands, singer/songwriters and church orchestras. She holds a masters of music in composition from Texas Christian University and a bachelor of music in music theory and composition from Dallas Baptist University. Emily is from Austin, TX.

Cameron Bright

Euless, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Cameron Bright is the Assistant Director of Percussion at Birdville High School in North Richland Hills, TX. He earned his undergraduate in Music Education from Texas Christian University, and Master's in Music Performance from The University of Alabama. In addition to performing with these universities on national stages - such as TMEA, CBDNA, and PASIC - Cameron has also performed professionally with the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. Cameron has a wide array of percussion accompanying experience, including Musicals, Choirs, Show Choirs, Wind Ensembles, Orchestras, Jazz bands, as well as Traditional and Contemporary worship services.

Keji Sanchez

Fort Worth, TX
Adjudicator, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

As an active solo and collaborative pianist, Keji unleashes tremendous passion and color in her performances. She also dedicated herself to the piano, music theory, and music education, currently serving as Adjunct Professor for Piano and Music Theory at Texas Wesleyan University, Tarrant County College, Fort Worth Conservatory of Music, and her private MarKeji studio. Keji has given hundreds of concerts and recitals with various vocal and instrumental soloists and ensemble groups. She has collaborated with the Adkins Quartet, Fort Worth Opera Artists, SWBTS School of Music, UTA School of Music, Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, Southwestern Master Chorale, Southwestern Singers, Fort Worth Civic Orchestra, SWBTS Chapel Orchestra, UIL competitions, New York International Music Competition, and China Children’s Choir, her violinist husband Mark Sanchez, and many others. Keji received the Wayne (Polly) McNeely Piano Award. Keji and her husband Mark Sanchez were asked by special invitation to give their recital as guests at the Fort Worth Music Teachers Forum, Annual Texas Wesleyan University Stephen Barr Memorial Concert, and numerous church concerts. She has also performed as a pianist with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at Southwestern Seminary’s 13th annual Gala concert, which celebrates the school as distinction as ‘All-Steinway School’. She has served as a church pianist weekly from her youth until today, she currently serves as a staff pianist at Ash Creek Baptist Church in Azle, TX. Keji released her piano and violin album ‘Harmony of Grace’ with her husband Mark in 2015. As a teacher, Keji has been very active as a piano instructor and judicator. Many of her piano students are the winners of the Fort Worth Piano Solo Competition, Texas Wesleyan Duo-Piano Competition, Mid Cites Piano Festival, recipients of RCM Center Certificates of Excellence, and gold medalists of Texas State Theory Exams. Keji is completing her dissertation for the Doctoral of Musical Arts, Piano Performance and Church Music degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where she also received her second Master of Music degree. Keji earned her first Master of Music degree in Music Theory from Mannes College the New School University (NYC), Bachelor of Music degree from China Conservatory in Beijing, China. She studied with Dr. Robert Smith, Dr. Jill Sprenger, Dr. Sunny Salls, Marilyn Groves, and Dr. Cristina Stanescu. She is a member of MTNA, FWMTA, and MCMTA.

Nancy Piper

Lewisville, TX
Clinician (Band), Horn

Nancy Piper has been an active freelance horn player and educator in the North Texas area since graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas in 2003. She maintains a large studio of private students in the Flower Mound High School cluster. As a performer, Nancy plays regularly in the pit orchestras for theater productions at venues including Dallas Summer Musicals, Casa Mañana, Broadway at the Bass, Dallas Theater Center, the Winspear Broadway Series, and Lyric Stage. Included in those theater performances are local runs of National Broadway tours of Wicked, Les Miserable, Miss Saigon, Lion King, Little Mermaid, Anastasia, Billy Elliot, Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder, Sound of Music, and Shrek. She has performed with many of the local North Texas orchestras including The Dallas Opera and Fort Worth Symphony, as well as symphonies in Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, Fort Smith (AR), and East Texas. Nancy also performs on her natural horn, which dates from the 1820's, in the American Baroque Opera Company and the Orchestra of New Spain, both Dallas-based period instrument ensembles. Other notable performances include playing in ensembles for Andrea Bocelli, Il Divo, Johnny Mathis, and Voces8. When not performing in large ensembles, Nancy is no stranger to recording sessions for commercial projects, services for religious organizations, and chamber music with various brass and woodwind ensembles. Nancy's husband, Brian Piper, is an acclaimed jazz pianist, orchestral arranger, and an overall jack-of-all-trades in the music industry.

Hana Do

Frisco, TX
Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Hana received her Masters Degree in Music Performance from the University of North Texas, where she now works as a Teacher's Assistant. As an accomplished pianist, Hana is a true asset to Trekorda.

"Hana is a wonderful performer and kept our choir engaged all evening. We would not hesitate to book her again."

Avneesh Babar

Plano, TX
Adjudicator, Bass (Electric), Composing/Arranging, Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Programming, Transcribing, Virtual Choir Producer

Avneesh Babar is an active performer, educator, and producer currently located in the Dallas area. Currently, Avneesh is the touring drummer and producer for JustDave on the Tobi Lour North American tour. In Dallas, Avneesh is involved in many community music efforts including being the timpanist for the Dallas Asian Wind Ensemble, Rockwall Summer Musicals, and formerly McKinney Summer Musicals. He has also played with the Rebel Alliance Jazz Ensemble and the United States Air Force Band. Avneesh serves as a percussionist for the Dance Department at Southern Methodist University. In the Marching Percussion realm, Avneesh was the Timpanist for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015 & 2016. He is also in his second season as an instructor for Legends Drum and Bugle Corps. At Texas A&M University- Commerce, Avneesh was the director of the Pan II and Panimation Steel Bands, where he was responsible for programming, arranging, and directing 30+ undergraduate students. He recently began a small community steel band called, Panda! Steel Band. Panda! (short for Pan-Dallas) aims to spread steel pan in the community through summer camps, performances, and private lessons.

Nyadia Thorpe

Waxahachie, TX
Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Nyadia Thorpe is the Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Navarro College in Corsicana, TX. She conducts the College Chorale, Collegiate Chamber Singers, and the Sound Company Show Choir. She also teaches Sight-Singing & Ear Training, Music Appreciation, and maintains a voice studio for vocal music majors. She is active in her church as the Director of Music & Worship at the First Presbyterian Church, Duncanville where she also conducts the Duncanville Community Chorus. The DCC has been awarded the experience of performing in Carnegie Hall with Distinguished Choirs International New York in 2018. Previously, Mrs. Thorpe served as the Choral Music Director at Howard Junior High in Waxahachie ISD and as Middle School Vocal Division Coordinator and Chairperson for the middle school choral events, including UIL and Solo and Ensemble contests for the Region 20 Middle School Vocal Division of the Texas Music Educators Association. She’s also served the Region as Treasurer for a few years. In Waxahachie ISD, Mrs. Thorpe co-directed the One Voice District Honor Choir and Musical Theatre classes. Mrs. Thorpe served her campus as the Fine Arts Department Chair and participated on various committees. In 2017, she completed her studies in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification in July of 2017 from Stephen F. Austin State University just prior to accepting the role at Navarro College. Mrs. Thorpe began her musical studies as a student in Dallas ISD where she attended Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Her undergraduate studies took place at the University of Texas at Arlington where she studied voice, opera workshop, and traveled to parts of Europe performing with the Chamber Chorus. During the trip to Europe, Mrs. Thorpe sang the Alto solo in the Mozart Requiem under Prof. Jing Ling Tam. After a few years of working in Dallas ISD, she began her studies for a Master’s Degree in Music Education at Southern Methodist University. She worked very closely with professors, Dr. Julie Scott and Dr. Sarah Allen, and earned several hours in private choral conducting with Dr. Pamela Elrod-Huffman. Mrs. Thorpe enjoys working with singers and musicians of all ages. She has taught students in Dallas ISD, Duncanville ISD, Midlothian, ISD, and Waxahachie ISD. Her choirs have earned Sweepstake awards at UIL events and First Division Ratings and awards at contests and festivals each year. Early in her career, she worked with Ms. Cynthia Nott and the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas as Rehearsal Assistant for seven years following two years as Intern in Choral Conducting. She is proud to be knowledgeable and skilled at growing, rebuilding, and revitalizing programs. Every public school she has served saw remarkable growth and increase in student achievement. Programs started with 50-60 students and before she would move to her next calling, the program would have 100 – 150 students. In the community, Mrs. Thorpe has founded Inspire Singing, an organization for promoting the fine and performing arts in the community where she lives. In 2020, she founded a social media group, Black Women Composers and Conductors Network. It’s a great place for women of color to meet, network, and encourage one another. She was also awarded recognition by Who’s Who in America in 2020 and received invitation to conduct in Carnegie Hall. Mrs. Thorpe is an active member of TMEA, ACDA, TTCCDA, and NAfME. She thoroughly enjoys choral conducting, adjudicating, and coaching choirs. Most of all, although she loves to work, she loves her family and values the time away from the podium that she is able to spend with her husband and sons. Currently serving as Collegiate Chair for the National Association for Music Education – Texas, she is excited about meeting the needs of the organization and its collegiate students and professors. Mrs. Thorpe wants to encourage students and educators in order to positively transcend the confines of time. She hopes that her work will be significant, that it will truly matter and will be foundational to the growth and strengthening of the organizations she serves.

Kelly Depinet

Highland Village, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Saxophone (Alto)

Originally from Ohio, I bring with me to Texas more than twenty years of accompanying experience, eighteen of which I served as Staff Accompanist at the University of Findlay. My degree of Bachelor of Music (Education) from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) provides a unique perspective in my accompanying services, especially when working with instrumentalists. Having been a saxophone major in college, I have not neglected to continue to play that instrument whenever possible, as well. I have maintained membership in community and professional ensembles, occasionally as a featured soloist on both saxophone and piano. I have also been a part of the orchestra pit for numerous university and community theater music productions.

Micah Tompkins

Saginaw, TX
Horn

Micah Tompkins is a Florida born musician and teacher in the DFW metroplex and has been for nearly 8 years. After finishing a Master’s and Performer’s Certificate at The Pennsylvania State University, he briefly relocated to Michigan before moving to Texas. During his time here, he has performed with many diverse ensembles including, the Sherman Symphony, the Metropolitan Winds, DFW Brass and the Allen Philharmonic. As a teacher in many ISD’s and formerly at Brookhaven College, his students regularly rank highly in the All-Region process and his greatest hope for his students is that they learn to love and appreciate all aspects of music, from theory to form and beyond, rather than simply learning an instrument. Outside of music, Micah is an avid cook, sourdough baker and hopeful gardener alongside his wife.

Jeffrie Fox

Little Elm, TX
Clinician (Orchestra), Viola, Violin

Jeff Fox, Retired Director of Orchestras in Plano, TX - Denton, TX - Edmond, OK - Ponca City, OK. Mr. Fox earned degrees in both Violin Performance and Music Education from Indiana University, University of Kansas, and Oklahoma State University. He served as an Adjunct Faculty member at Northern Oklahoma College where he began the string orchestra program. Mr. Fox was also the Music Director and Conductor of Oklahoma Youth Symphonies as well as the Assistant Director of Oklahoma Youth Orchestras. Mr. Fox was privileged to be mentored in master class settings of Yehudi Menuhin, Josef Gingold, Leon Fleisher, Rafael Bronstein, Mstislav Rostropovich, Paul Doktor, Miriam Fried, and Pavel Kogan. His groups have earned superior ratings at many varied performance venues, including selection for high school full orchestra honor group at the Oklahoma Music Educators convention. Mr. Fox remains active as an adjudicator and clinician for programs in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas.

Akiko Iguchi

McKinney, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Akiko is an experienced collaborative pianist who has worked with string and woodwind players and knows most of the major repertoires. Akiko is willing to work with HS/Collegiate musicians who are auditioning for college auditions, competitions and make recordings together.

Larry McCain

Dallas, TX
Flute, Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer

I am a degreed (Bachelor of Music, Master of Music) musician---pianist, organist, keyboardist--experienced in vocal, instrumental, and choral accompanying in church, theatre, and classical musical genres.

Chris Clark

Garland, TX
Trumpet

Abigail Hawthorne

Garland, TX
Oboe

Abigail Hawthorne graduated with a Masters degree in oboe performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music in May 2020. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in May of 2018 with a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her primary teachers include Richard Killmer, Erin Hannigan, David Matthews, and Megan Blauvelt Heuer. Abby also studied Baroque oboe with Geoffrey Burgess at the Eastman School of Music. Hawthorne holds the Oboe II / English horn position with the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra in Allen, Texas. She held the third oboe and English horn position with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra in Wichita, Kansas for the 2017-2018 season, performed with the American Institute of Musical Studies (Graz, Austria) and the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute (Toronto, Canada) in the summer of 2019, performed with the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra (Durango, Colorado) in the July 2018 and 2016 seasons, participated in the Sarasota Music Festival (Sarasota, Florida) in June 2018, and performed with the National Repertory Orchestra (Breckenridge, Colorado) in the summer of 2017. She has also played with The Dallas Opera (Dallas, TX), the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (Shreveport, LA), Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (Fort Worth, TX), New World Symphony Orchestra (Miami Beach, FL), Symphoria (Syracuse, NY), Plano Symphony Orchestra (Plano, TX), and the Dallas Chamber Wind Ensemble. At Eastman, Abby performed with the Eastman Philharmonia, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, and the Eastman Opera Theatre. An avid pursuer of chamber music performance opportunities, she also played with the Eastman Harmonie wind octet, the Southerly Winds woodwind quintet, and served as vice president of the new music student-run ensemble OSSIA. Abby also values the importance of bringing together inventive ideas in science and the arts. She has a personal interest in research concerning music performance anxiety and received a research grant from SMU to interview professional classical musicians about their experiences of music performance anxiety and, specifically, the environments that worsened their feelings of anxiousness. This is a fascinating field that still has much to be explored, and Abby is eager to promote further research about performance psychology that can benefit musicians, professional and amateur alike.

John Jenkins

Burleson, TX
Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Ukulele

John Jenkins is a performing guitarist in the D/FW area. While his academic degrees are not in the field of music, he has performed professionally in a wide variety of venues and genres since 1975. John has been the guitarist for the Crowley ISD Honor Choir stage band since 2007. He has also played for several Crowley and Burleson ISD theater productions. John taught guitar for Burleson ISD's Community Education program from 2006-2010, and for their co-sponsored after school group guitar lessons from 2018 to 2020. He plays acoustic and electric guitars, as well as ukulele, and can play in a variety of genres, including rock, blues, country, jazz, and reggae styles.

Yeohun Chun

Denton, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical)

Yeohun Chun has a broad musical background and performance experience. With her professional piano performance skills, she has widened her musical abilities by participating in multiple performances. She has had many opportunities to perform with vocal students as an accompanist. While working as a staff pianist at the University of Arkansas, she has performed at celebration concerts, Honors recitals, Benefit concerts, and NATS competition winners. After moving to the DFW area, she was a voice studio pianist at Texas A&M University-Commerce, a church pianist at Dallas Eastern Presbyterian Church, and an accompanist for UIL Solo and Ensemble students to rehearse, perform recitals, and any other piano accompaniments. She also received a Graduate Certificate in Performance from the University of Arkansas and completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of North Texas.

Alison Read

Dallas, TX
Harp

Alison Read, harpist, has maintained an active performing and teaching schedule around her native Dallas for almost two decades. She has established harp departments at both Stephen F. Austin State University, in Nacogdoches, where she taught 1999-2007 and more recently at The Hockaday School, where she began teaching in 2014. She leads the harp programs for all of Garland ISD, in addition to teaching privately at home. As an orchestral harpist, she is Principal Harpist at both the Abilene Philharmonic and Opera, as well as the Las Colinas, Garland, and Arlington Symphonies. She has performed as a featured soloist with all of her regular orchestras and also in Varna, Bulgaria. An advocate of new music, she is currently involved with several duos which are in the process of commissioning new works for unusual combinations with harp. In October 2017, she was honored to give world premieres performances in both Oxford and London of several new works which had been written for her. In addition to her orchestral and chamber music performances, Alison also regularly performs outreach concerts in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes for Texas Winds. In the summer, she is Principal Harpist of the Utah Festival Opera. Alison received her Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she studied with renown harpist, Alice Chalifoux. She completed her Master of Music at Southern Methodist University, where she studied with Susan Pejovich.

Yeeun Kim

Corinth, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Yeeun Kim is a jazz pianist, pipe organist, arranger, composer, educator, and singer-songwriter from South Korea. She is the former Graduate Teaching Fellow for the Jazz Piano Performance at the University of North Texas, where she received an A.B.D in Piano Performance with a concentration in Jazz Studies. Also, she earned her master’s degree in Jazz Studies from UNT. She is a former jazz pianist in the prestigious One O’Clock Lab band, having played for the band in 2020, and was a selectee in the 2022 Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo Competition for jazz piano. She actively performs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, having performed in various performances such as the Sundance Square Music Series, Fever Dallas Jazz Concert, and Flamenco Dallas Festival alongside legendary Flamenco saxophonist, Jorge Pardo. She is a versatile musician, able to accompany, perform and arrange a diverse range of genres, from jazz to classical music to sacred music and more. She currently serves as the Director of Choir and Organist at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas. She also serves as a sub-accompanist at Voices of Flower Mound Choir with her advanced sight reading skills and accompaniment skills.

Nick Stephenson

Melissa, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Band), Trumpet

Nicholas is primarily a trumpet player but have experience performing on all brass instruments. Beyond performing, he has 20 years of experience in instrumental music education having taught band classes and private lesson and is a Texas Music Adjudicator Association certified judge for UIL events.

Robert Brown

Dallas, TX
Audio Technician, Composing/Arranging, Harpsichord, Organ, Percussion (Other), Piano, Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Programming, Synthesizer, Transcribing

Robert Brown is a professional musician with 40+ years experience in performance and education. He has worked for three universities teaching piano, theory, music technology, and led the jazz program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi for a couple of years. Robert has a BA and MM in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. Currently he is playing regularly at Pappas Steak House in the lounge for the past 7 years on Thursdays and Saturdays 6-9. He has experience in accompanying in a variety of situations. He has led church and university choirs and been music director for churches and musical theater productions. Robert primarily plays piano and keyboard but also has skills as a vocalist, guitarist, conductor and in running sound.

Andrew Sperandeo

Keller, TX
Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Education/Experience: Guitarist/ Singer/Composer/Arranger/Music Producer, Andy S., is an experienced, well-versed musician in many disciplines of music. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz studies from the prestigious University of North Texas and Masters in Jazz Arranging/Composition from the University of North Texas. He has also been a music educator since 1993 and been performing for over 3 decades. He was a Professor of guitar/voice/bass and Director and Arranger for the SFA State University's contemporary ensembles. He currently is working towards a second Master's at TWU in music therapy. As an Arranger/Composer/Producer: Andy has written, arranged, produced, performed and recorded for a variety of artists over the years including an original composition by world renowned jazz artist, Kurt Rosenwinkel, which was performed by Kurt himself along with the, Grammy award winning, University of North Texas’s One O’clock lab band in Spring of 2010. As a Performer: Andy is accomplished in jazz, classical, rock, pop, r&b, as well as other styles of music. He performs regularly with several jazz groups, along with a classical string ensemble, and original groups around the DFW area. He also has performed with and co-produced for recording artists from the Nashville, Miami and Washington D.C. areas. Service: Andy also strongly believes that service to humanity is of the utmost importance. He has performed for and been a part of many worthwhile causes such as the Dallas Life Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes, Food For Hunger Organizations, Medi Send, as well as Habitat for Humanity.

Christian Dorn

Krum, TX
Audio Technician, Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Other)

Christian Dorn is a professional drummer and studio musician who holds an incredible passion for creating music both live and in the studio. As a professional drummer, he has worked alongside many renowned musicians & artists and he brings professionalism and a high level of skill to every gig. Christian’s playing credits include: Eleven Hundred Springs, Bart Crow, Charla Corn, Michael Padgett, Abbey Cone, Zach Coffey, The Deatons, Texas Opry House Band, and many others. Christian currently works as a freelance drummer and serves as a first call studio drummer in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. He has had the fortune to record with Grammy Award-Winning producers/engineers Bob Parr and Chris Bell, and his recording credits include the likes of Eleven Hundred Springs, Josh Vincent, Deryl Dodd, Cody Tucker, Paul Wintyrs, Mike Westbrook, James Cook, Keri Lick, Jenn Ford, Preston Scott, Matt Marshak, Scott Sturgeon, Luke Christenson, Susan Giacona, Michael Padgett, Adrian Johnston, Thomas Lail, Preston Scott, Grace Bible Church, Marshall Young Band, Them Chisholm Folks, Phil Tucker, Luke Christenson, Trent Judah, Zach Coffey, and Sarah Hobbs among others. Christian Dorn is the owner and engineer at Drum Arsenal Productions. A recording studio that focuses on providing drum tracks and mixing services to clients around the world. As an educator, Christian keeps a busy schedule working as a director, clinician, and drumset teacher with many percussion programs in the area. Over the years Christian has had the opportunity to be an adjudicator for the Guitar Center Drum-Off, TMEA All-Region, and TMEA All-Region Jazz competitions. Christian is also an active member of the Percussive Arts Society's Drumset Committee. This committee is on the forefront of drumset education and helps ensure all students of the instrument can benefit from the Percussive Arts Society. Through his work as a studio drummer and session musician Christian Dorn has acquired a great deal of acclamation and recognition and was voted the 2018 “Drummer of the Year” by the Texas Country Music Association. He is presently on tour with Texas Country icons, Eleven Hundred Springs, and is the full-time drummer at Grace Bible Church. When not playing music, Christian enjoys spending time with his wife Kami and playing with their two dogs, Nala & Penny. He is an avid traveler and cooking enthusiast who shares a remarkable passion for exploring new cities and cultures. Christian proudly uses: Porter & Davies, 64 Audio, TNR Products

Alan Pollard

Flower Mound, TX
Harmonica, Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Other), Ukulele, Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Alan attended high school at HSPVA in Houston, TX, then studied at both Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, and the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. He has 45+ years of professional performance experience. From club gigs, to studio sessions, to national and international touring, Alan has pretty much done it all. He is known for his versatility and fluency in all styles of music, but prefers to specialize in Jazz and Musical Theatre. Alan is also an accomplished vocalist, and an award winning stage and film actor. He holds a BFA in Theatre Performance (summa cum laude) from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Jennifer Seagraves

Lewisville, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Viola, Violin

Jennifer Seagraves graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma with a music education degree with emphasis in violin and voice. After teaching orchestra briefly in Missouri, she and her husband moved to the DFW area 25 years ago where she opened a private studio. She is currently the principal second in the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra, and also enjoys contracting as a violinist and violist in the area. Her students have been recognized for superiority in class, region, area and state in competitive auditions and solo performances. An active pianist as well, she often works as a collaborative pianist and enjoys playing keyboards at her church.

Ashley Bird Penov

Addison, TX
Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Ashley has been a musician and vocalist for as long as she can remember, focusing predominantly on rock, blues, and choral music. She has an Associate's degree in music and is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in music education at Texas Woman's University, performing in their Chamber Singers ensemble.

Jacob Dodd

Garland, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop)

Jacob is a tactful and expressive musician well versed in classical, gospel, and jazz. He received his undergraduate degree from Jackson State University in Piano Performance. He has collaborated with many choral ensembles, R&B and Gospel artists. Locally, he serves as a musician at Holy Tabernacle in Mesquite, teaches piano lessons at Dallas Piano Academy, and is a member/accompanist for One Accord Men’s Chorus, directed by John Tatum.

Cris Roman

Dallas, TX
Trumpet

Well versed in a variety of musical genres including jazz, pop, classical and Afro- Latino styles, Cris has proven to be an asset to various ensembles in the DFW area for over 14 years. Equally comfortable in commercial, academic and creative endeavors he has found himself performing at hundreds of weddings and corporate events, arranging and recording horn parts in local studios, choreographing top 40 pop shows and mentoring young students on the finer points of trumpet playing. Cris attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. He then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from The University of North Texas, where he was a member of the Two O’Clock Lab Band.

Kelemen Szabó

Plano, TX
Bass (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Transcribing, Ukulele, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Kelemen is a 4th year Choral Music Education major at the University of North Texas, where he also studies vocal jazz, jazz piano, and jazz guitar. He currently conducts his clinical teaching in Frisco ISD and looks forward to entering the profession for the 2023-2024 school year! He is also the director of music at Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church, a music director and private voice instructor at North Texas Performing Arts, and a member of the Vocal Majority.

Jiaqi Chen

Denton, TX
Harpsichord, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Jiaqi Chen is a DMA candidate at UNT, and holds a masters degree from the University of Southern California, both in collaborative piano. Chen has sufficient skills and experiences for instrumental and vocal music and has been an assistant pianist in the Dallas Opera.

Aryc Lane

Frisco, TX
Cello

Cellist and Orchestra Director in the North Texas area

Dorian Scott

Wylie, TX
Euphonium, Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor)

Dorian Scott is a jazz and classical trombonist, jazz and classical euphonium player, and music educator in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. He has received his Masters in Performance from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR and his Bachelors in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce in Commerce, TX. Scott currently serves as Trombone/ Euphonium player for the McKinney Community Band, the McKinney Dance Band, and the Dallas Asian Winds. He also has sat in with the Dallas Winds and frequently plays with other local jazz groups in the DFW area. Scott has played in groups and organizations like the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO), Dallas Original Jazz Orchestra (DOJO), Sulphur Springs Symphony Orchestra League (ETSO), Blast of Brass Ensemble, and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. Scott has been selected as a finalist/ semi-finalist for competitions like Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Competition, South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference Competition, Texas Christian University Courtois Trombone Quartet Competition, and the Crescent City Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist Competition. Scott also has taught publicly in Bentonville Public Schools (Arkansas), Plano ISD (Texas), and Dallas ISD (Texas) since 2014. Scott can be available for events of any musical nature including; Weddings/Ceremonies/Clinics/Masterclasses/Concerts/Parties/ School Events/ Outdoor Events/ Corporate Events/etc. Scott is a native of the Dallas/ Ft. Worth Metroplex and currently lives with his wife, son, and dog in Dallas, Texas.

Dana Chavarria

Fort Worth, TX
Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Dana Marie Chavarria grew up in Arlington, Texas where she studied piano with Betty Capshaw and Dr. Vivian Siao from the age of seven. She performed in numerous piano festivals and competitions through the Texas Federation of Music Clubs (TFMC) and participated in the National Piano Guild Auditions through grade school. During this time, she taught private piano lessons. She began studying organ with Dr. H. Joseph Butler while studying music at Texas Christian University. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Church Music and a Master of Music in Organ Performance from TCU. While attending school, she accompanied and performed with numerous musicians and choirs with different schools and musical groups including the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. She continues to teach private lessons and currently serves as church organist for St. Barnabas United Methodist Church in Arlington, Texas. She is also active in Euterpean Music Club through TFMC and performs regularly with her twin sister, Kathryn Baugher.

Robyn Hollimon

Fort Worth, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir)

Graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Music Education in vocal music; graduated Summa Cum Laude Retired 30-year High School Choral Director Vocal Instructor for Saginaw HS and Mansfield HS 2021-23; Private Studio students from FWAFA, UTA, Centennial HS Burleson, Martin HS 17-year Director of Music at Genesis UMC in Fort Worth @25 years Choral Clinician, UIL Adjudicator and Accompanist Crowley HS Director 2016-June 2020 (5A) Richland HS Head Director 2014-May 2016 (6A) North Crowley HS Director 2000-2014 (5A/6A) Grandview ISD, (3A) (1990-2000); 1990-1996 - All-level elementary music and MS/HS Choral Director Personally directed @50 Sweepstakes Choirs in 5A and 6A high schools (varsity and non-varsity) Over 20 career festival Best in Class and Grand Champion Choir Awards, Winner of the 2013 Festival di Voce 6 Convention Performances from 2004-2013 (SWACDA, ACDA, TMEA) 2022-24 TCDA VP of Church and Worship Active Clinician and Member of TMEA, TMAA, TCDA, ACDA

Jason Bennett

Richardson, TX
Guitar (Electric)

Julia Lee

Coppell, TX
Adjudicator, Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

Julia has been a Collaborative Pianist at MS-Collegiate Level for 10 plus years both in Classical, Contemporary, and Jazz. She also is a Church Musician (Organist) with 30 plus years of experience.

Michael Nesuda

Dallas, TX
Composing/Arranging, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Other

Guitarist and composer Michael Nesuda has built his career on the crossroads of jazz and world-music idioms. He was a member of The Obscure Dignitaries (2013-2018), a world-music quintet rooted in Eastern European traditionals that expanded its repertoire to include folk-influenced popular music from every continent. He has also performed with Jamal Mohamed's Bridge Ensemble, both locally and overseas in China and Indonesia. Other musical highlights have included concerts with the Dallas Pops Orchestra and events keynoted by former president George W. Bush. Nesuda has performed both regionally and nationally with the Dallas String Quartet. He has also played with (and helped arrange pieces for) Classically Jazzed, a project by DFW Open Classical founder Mark Landson that creates jazz renditions of famous classical pieces. In addition, Nesuda makes appearances with swing-era jazz group La Pompe. His theater / dance work includes productions at Plano East Senior High and the Ft. Worth Academy of Arts; the Dark Circles 2018 adaptation of Aladdin (as part of the Elevator Project); and Do You Hear the People Sing?, a Broadway revue arranged by Les Misérables creators Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg.

Molly Wang

Lewisville, TX
Cello

Molly DeLorenzo earned a B.M. in Music Education from Ithaca College, and is currently working towards a Masters of Music Education at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. She is in her fourth year of teaching as an orchestra director. Molly is a member of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra, and regularly works with the Dallas Asian Strings. Past cello performance experience includes working with the Orchestra of the Southern Fingerlakes and Colgate University Orchestra.

Katie Anderson

Dallas, TX
Clinician (Choir), Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Katie Anderson was born and raised in Dallas, a fourth generation Dallasite. She graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor's of Music Education, Vocal Emphasis. Katie began her teaching career as Music Specialist at Stonewall Jackson Elementary School (now Mockingbird Elementary) in Dallas ISD, before moving to Woodrow Wilson High School as Head Choral Director where she served for four years. While at Stonewall and Woodrow, she directed five Woodrow musicals including Phantom of the Opera and The Music Man. Katie also taught private piano and vocal lessons periodically during this time. Katie transitioned to private music instruction full time in 2018, and with that has also directed musicals at Bishop Lynch High School, Mountain View College, Garland Civic Theatre, and East Dallas Arts.

Jeff Marquis

Lewisville, TX
Clinician (Band), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Piano, Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer, Trombone (Tenor)

After receiving a bachelors in music (percussion), Jeff Marquis spent 7 years teaching music with The Salvation Army. He has played piano for over 20 years, accompanying many choirs and soloists. He's also played low brass (trombone and tuba) for over 20 years, performing with many British style brass bands.

Jay Majernik

Dallas, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Mr. Majernik is an accomplished performer. He has been a section percussion member of the Plano Symphony Orchestra for almost 25 years. He recently retired from the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra after 19 years. Other orchestras with which he performs are Irving Symphony, New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving, and Garland/Las Colinas Symphony among others. He is also an active pit musician with musical theatre productions. Theatre Three, Water Tower Theatre, and Junior Players of Dallas are among the companies with which he has recently performed. He currently endorses Evans drumheads, Paiste cymbals and Pro-Mark drumsticks and mallets. Mr. Majernik is married to author Laura Leigh Majernik. They have 2 sons, John 12 and Noah 9, and 2 dogs, Wally and Yeti.

Danielle Clardy

Fort Worth, TX
Clinician (Choir), Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Danielle Clardy is a professional Pianist and Mezzo-Soprano in Fort Worth Texas. Danielle is a private voice instructor, private piano instructor, accompanist, vocalist, and church choir director in the greater Fort Worth area. She graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2010 with a B.M. in Music Education and received the Music Education Excellence Award from DBU in 2010 as well as Vocal and Piano scholarships from DBU and the Boettcher Foundation. Danielle has taught a variety of ages with many years of experience in elementary education as well as middle school choir. She has accompanied choirs, vocalist, instrumentalists, and ensembles across Central and North Texas. She has been teaching piano and voice privately for almost 10 years and is passionate about helping students develop into life long musicians with strong musical literacy and practice skills. She loves a challenge and loves to help students improve in their confidence, vocal skill sets, and stage presence. Danielle has coordinated church musical productions in the Central Texas and DFW area, is a singer with Voces Pacis Choir under the direction of Dr. Stephen Holcomb, and is a professional pianist. She is also a part of the Byron Nelson High School vocal team and is looking forward to many great musical moments.

Karomy Canton

Frisco, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Karomy Canton is a lifelong musician that truly enjoys making music. Karomi has experience in accompanying church music (both contemporary and traditional), school choirs of all levels, and experience as a vocalist in a church worship team setting.

John Tatum

Wylie, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

John Mark Tatum, served 31 years as Minister of Music of the First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park in Richardson, Tx. He is also Founder and Artistic Director of the One Accord Men’s Chorus (an arts-based group of African- American Choristers); a Teaching Artist for the Fine Arts Chamber Players where he provides private and group piano lessons to DISD students primarily at the D. W. Carter High School. He maintains private piano studios in Richardson, Wylie and Dallas, Texas. As a collaborative pianist, musical director, piano soloist and choral conductor, he has performed/shared stage with opera singers, gospel singers, professional entertainers and instrumentalists, collegiate and high school choirs, church choirs and ensembles not only in cities throughout the United States, but also in major cities throughout the world (on five continents). Most proud of his work as a piano instructor, his students have consistently won major piano competitions locally, regionally and nationally and have earned scholarships to major music conservatories throughout the United States. His choirs---especially the Hamilton Park Men’s Chorus have toured in many parts of the world and have collaborated with several symphony orchestras as well with most major arts groups in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. He holds memberships in the following organizations: America Choral Directors Association, Texas Choral Director’s Association, Dallas Metroplex Musicians’ Association of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc., Gospel Music Workshop of America, National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses , the Black Academy of Arts and Letters where he has served as a conductor/pianist for the Emmy winning Annual Black Music in the Civil Rights Movement Concert for the past 33 years.

Terri Lucas

Waxahachie, TX
Piano

My accompanying experience is varied and extensive. Choral accompanying began in 1978 and continues presently. Vocal and instrumental accompanying began as undergrad at OBU in 1981 and continues presently. I have worked as a professional accompanist for OBU in Arkansas and DBU in Dallas for many years. I have also been working for Midlothian ISD, Waxahachie ISD and Flower Mound ISD for their UIL Solo and Ensemble contests in both vocal and band. I'm also an experience piano, voice instructor and vocal coach with Bachelor degrees in Piano performance and voice, Master degrees in Entertainment Business and Vocal Pedagogy. My experience also includes Southern Gospel music, worship team (current) and Jazz Band, and Musical Theatre (pit, keys, music director).

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Devra Dato-on

Richardson, TX
Adjudicator, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre), Transcribing

Devra Dato-on is a classically-trained pianist and music educator. She grew up in Richardson, TX and studied piano with Marcy McDonald for 6 years and Dr. Rozalie Levant for 17 years. Devra holds a B.A. in Music and English from Judson College and a M.A. in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. She maintains an active teaching studio and is a board member of Richardson Music Teachers Association. She regularly accompanies instrumentalists, vocalists, choirs, and other ensembles throughout the DFW area.

Ryne Osborne

Lewisville, TX
Bass (Electric), Bassoon, Contrabassoon, Transcribing

Ryne is a bassist proficient in a variety of styles, with experience ranging from playing with the Emerald City bands to local country artists to playing across the metroplex in musical theater pits, he also has the technical knowledge through his time as an audio engineer to back up his years of experience of playing.

Daniel Crisp

LEWISVILLE, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other)

Daniel Crisp is a recent graduate from the University of North Texas, where he successfully completed a masters degree in percussion performance. During Daniel’s time at UNT, he studied under many different fantastic faculty members, with his main private teachers being: Christopher Deane, Mark Ford, and Paul Rennick. Daniel served as the principal percussionist of the Wind Symphony, directed by Eugene Corporon, and was an active member in the percussion ensemble directed by Mark Ford, as well as the NOVA ensemble under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth McNutt. The highlight of Daniel’s performing experience was a beyond successful concert to an electric crowd at TMEA (2019) with the Wind Symphony. In addition to all performing opportunities at UNT, Daniel also held a Teaching Fellow position where he taught private students, a percussion methods course, and directed the Percussion Group (a classical percussion ensemble consisting of freshmen and sophomores). Before making his way to North Texas, Daniel received a Bachelor’s degree in percussion performance from East Carolina University in North Carolina, studying under Jonathan Wacker and Christopher Nappi. During his time at ECU, Daniel participated in nearly every ensemble the university offered including: the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, numerous percussion ensembles, as well as a litany of projects involving the North Carolina New Music Initiative. Although gigging opportunities were sparse, Daniel did perform musicals, various church services, and ballets in the area. It was at this time that Daniel maintained active involvement with the marching arts. Daniel performed with Carolina Crown (2014), Forza East Independent indoor percussion (2015), and was on the ECU drumline for two years of his undergrad. During his entire time at ECU, Daniel was the front ensemble tech for the Southern Nash High School marching band. Now, Daniel maintains a private lesson studio in McKinney ISD, as well as helping with the Royal Pride Marching band. Daniel is principal percussionist with the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra and performs with the CoDa percussion duo in Florida and North Carolina. He plans on actively pursuing a career as an orchestral percussionist in addition to maintaining his own private studio.

Ashley Nolte

McKinney, TX
Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Tenor)

Ashley Nolte primarily plays the clarinet and bass clarinet. Her experience as a band director has given her the ability to confidently play the saxophone and flute at an advanced level and she considers them to be strong secondary instruments. Ashley received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2016 from Texas Tech University. From there she earned a job as head band director and taught elementary music, middle school band, and high school band for 5 years. In 2022 she received my Masters of Music in Music Education. Ashley continues to play the bass clarinet in both the Plano Community Band and the Plano Clarinet Choir.

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