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.

Kelley Rodriguez

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

Mary Anna Salo

Dallas, TX
Piano

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.

Marla Nelson

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

Emma Lord

Lewisville, TX
Audio Technician, Vocalist (Pop/Rock)

Elizabeth Aviles

Grand Prairie, TX
Piano

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.

Samuel Martin

Dallas, TX
Audio Technician, Bass (Electric), Composing/Arranging, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Programming, Synthesizer, Transcribing

Young Artist Apprentice

Ekaterina (Katya) Chernaya Oh

Flower Mound, TX
Piano

Mark Lara

Allen, TX
Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor), Transcribing

I have a BME from Texas Christian University and a MM in jazz performance from The University of North Texas. I've performed in musicals, jazz big bands, jazz small groups, wind bands, and orchestras. I am proficient with Sibelius in composing, copying, and transcribing. I can improvise proficiently in all jazz styles. I play flute, picc, clarinet, bass clarinet, and all saxophones.

Joseph Garza

Garland, TX
Trombone (Tenor)

Joseph Garza recently received his B.M., in Trombone Performance from Texas A&M University Commerce. It is there where he was the 2021 Concerto Competition Brass Division Winner, 2022 Concerto Competition Finalist, and a member of both Jazz Ensembles and Symphonic Band. Former Principal Trombonist of the North East Texas Symphony Orchestra. Currently Attending UT Arlington to receive his Masters in Jazz Studies.

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.

Kelly Himes

Keller, TX

Katherine Ryan Ayres

Pleasanton, CA
Composing/Arranging, Transcribing

Ryan Ayres is a composer, arranger, orchestrator, instrumentalist, and music copyist based in Denton, TX. He holds degrees from University of North Texas (BM 16 Composition and Music Theory) and the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University (MM 19 Composition).

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.

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.

Ashley Bird Penov

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

I have been a musician and vocalist for as long as I can remember, focusing predominantly on rock, blues, and choral music. I have been a hobbyist sound engineer for a few years now, but during the pandemic I've taken to honing my skills both with audio and video editing for putting together virtual performances.

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.

Molly DeLorenzo

Flower Mound, 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.

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.

Tara Sikon

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

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.

Clint Gilbert

Irving, TX
Composing/Arranging, Transcribing

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.

Jonathan London

Frisco, TX
Cello

Stephanie De La Torre

Dallas, TX
Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Tenor)

Jose Negrete

Denton, TX
Oboe

An oboist that has serviced the Dallas & Fort Worth metroplex since 2017, Jose Negrete recently obtained a Bachelor’s in Music Performance at the University of North Texas. During his time at UNT, he has performed with numerous ensembles and chamber groups, such as UNT’s Concert Orchestra, as well as the UNT Pit Orchestra. Currently, Jose freelances in the DFW area, as well as gives private lessons in the local schools.

Benjamin Loeb

Plano, TX
Clinician (Orchestra), Harpsichord, Piano, Piano (Classical), Transcribing

Benjamin Loeb is an accomplished soloist, accompanist, conductor, arranger, educator, arts administrator and entrepreneur. His piano performances have been heralded by the Boston Globe: “[his] vigorous, cogent playing signaled the kind of equally weighted partnership, plus competition, plus mutual quest, etc. that [makes] this music live.” He has soloed with the Boston Pops Orchestra at the invitation and under the direction of former New York Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert. He has also collaborated as concerto soloist with many other conductors including JoAnn Falletta, Carl St. Clair, and Rossen Milanov. His widely varied projects range from concerts of Beethoven and Bruckner Symphonies to recordings with Yo-Yo Ma of Italian 16th century madrigalists to tours with popular rock musicians to world premieres of the most cutting-edge avant-garde contemporary music. Recently has performed the complete Brahms Violin Sonatas with Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Robert Chen and the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas with violinist Jennifer Frautschi. At the invitation of United States Department of State, Loeb toured Argentina and Uruguay as an Artistic Ambassador, performing recitals of the music of Scott Joplin and giving master classes and workshops with youth orchestras and young musicians. He has recorded for Naxos (both as soloist and collaborative pianist), CBC and the DSCLabel. He holds a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory in Conducting, as a student of Gustav Meier, a Master in Music from the Curtis Institute and a Doctor in Musical Arts from the Juilliard School in Accompanying and a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University. He recently served as Executive Director of Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale and has also served as Executive Director of the Quad City (Iowa) Symphony Orchestra from 2013 through 2017, as Executive Director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, and as Music Director of the 2011 New Hampshire Music Festival. As Associate Conductor of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Loeb founded and served as both Executive and Music Director of the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestras – El Paso’s only national-level, NEA-recognized, multiple-orchestra system serving the best young musicians in the El Paso, southern New Mexico and Juarez region. He is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the International Conducting Workshop and Festival, now in its nineteenth year, hosted by orchestras around the world, most recently the Lviv Philharmonic in Lviv, Ukraine, and the New Symphony Orchestra in Sofia, Bulgaria. He lives in Plano, TX with his wife, Quyen, his 15-year-old daughter, Anna Sofia Uni, his 12-year-old, Lulu Ladybug, and 10-year-old son Ryan “Taco”. He continues occasionally to concertize worldwide as pianist, conductor, educator and arts advocate. Loeb’s far-ranging interests do not limit him to music; he has directed plays, cooked gourmet meals for 65, tutored over 500 people in test preparation for the Princeton Review, and played and enjoyed almost every sport. Moreover (or most important), he is a lifetime Dallas Cowboys fan.

Amy Canchola

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

Dr. Amy Canchola is originally from Indiana where she completed her Bachelor of Music de- gree in vocal performance at Butler University. She has called Texas “home” since 2004 after moving to Dallas to attend Southern Methodist University. At the University of North Texas, Dr. Canchola centered her doctoral research on the life and work of Mexican-American composer Maria Grever. Aside from her advocacy of the music of Latin women, Dr. Canchola also recently completed the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar, the Bach-Millennium Festival, and the Summer Voice Institute at North- western University with W. Stephen Smith. In addition to performing, Dr. Canchola is on the voice faculty at Highland Park High School and maintains an independent studio. She and her husband, Gil, have four wonderful children and operate Canchola Handyman Services. Professional memberships include the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Music Teachers National Association, NOA, Mu Phi Epsilon, and the Voice Foundation.

Chris Schoppe

Fort Worth, TX
Piano

Colton Blake

Forest Hill, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir)

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.

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 is the full-time accompanist for the Children's Chorus of Collin County 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.

Taylor Williams

Denton, TX
Violin

Jocelyn Turner

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

Jocelyn Turner specializes in violin performance and instruction.

Howi Dietz

Irving, 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.

HYUNSUK KIM

Denton, TX
Piano

Kim Feinauer

Liberty Hill, TX
Flute, Horn, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Trumpet, Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

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.

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.

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.

Bryan Aguilar

Fort Worth, TX
Vocalist (Classical)

As a professional musician, I am constantly performing in choirs throughout the DFW as a Baritone. I hold a BME Vocal Music Education from the University of North Texas, having sung under Dr(s) Allen Hightower, Richard Sparks, and Kristina MacMullen . I have been selected for conducting masterclasses with directors such as Z. Randall Stroope. I am proficient in sight-reading music and have worked on multiple professional recording projects with Highland Park Choral, along with commissions for Robert Beaser and Erik Ešenvalds.

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."

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.

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.

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.

Sung Sim

San Antonio, TX
Piano, Synthesizer, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Jesse Fry

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

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"

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.

Jacki Miller

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

Jacki Miller is a Fort Worth-based musician who loves to perform music from all genres. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas where she studied Vocal Performance and Music Education. While at UNT Jacki studied Voice with Linda Di Fiore and performed in the A Cappella Choir under Jerry McCoy. She currently is a member of the Verdigris Ensemble under the direction of Sam Brukhman, and also has performed with many other area ensembles such as the Dallas Chamber Choir, Texas Voices, Fort Worth Chorale, and MidCities Chamber Singers. Jacki is a frequent soloist at many area churches, and enjoys performing classical, sacred, and contemporary literature.

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.

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.

Ken Chicosky

Fort Worth, TX
Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Tenor)

Originally from Austin, Ken Chicosky has quickly made a name for himself in DFW. Having attended UNT and studying saxophone for over 30 years. He can frequently be heard in jazz combos, big bands, latin, and rock bands. He is a well known Baritone Saxophone player, but often gigs on the other saxes.

Ange Goins

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

Ange Goins has been a choral director for twenty years at both the high school and middle school levels. She has had students participate in and earn superior ratings at UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest, UIL Concert and Sight-reading, and had many student participate in the Texas All-State Honor Choir. Ange has been trained and enjoys singing in both classical and jazz styles. She has been a member of the Dallas Symphony Chorus and lead singer/worship leader for two contemporary services. She also has been a clinician at both the high school and middle school choir levels, judged Pre-UIL Contest, and was a UIL judge for Sight-reading Contest. Ange Goins can joyfully sing, direct, judge, and/or clinic for any group that needs help.

Kateri Lavacek

Denton, TX
Piano, Vocalist (Classical)

Kateri has been an active musician and teacher for the last 16 years. She currently teaches choir in Lewisville ISD and loves collaborating with area schools!

Duke Anderson

Irving, TX
Bass (Upright), Cello, Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Duke Anderson is a DFW-based actor and singer with over 15yrs of professional experience. He has worked for a variety of regional theaters across the country, shows and workshops in NYC, national tours, on cruise ships, and is a current member of The Dallas Opera Chorus.

Hezan Daroona

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

Hezan is a Freshman in Texas Christian University (TCU). He is an Eagle Scout, was Junior Asst. Scoutmaster (Troop 298), inducted into Order of the Arrow Brotherhood (Boy Scouts of America’s National Honor Society), and attained a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. At Frisco High School, Hezan was Treasurer of Spanish Club, member of National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, and Chairman of UNICEF Club. Hezan is an avid composer, pianist, and percussionist; he represented Frisco HS Top Concert Band, Jazz Band, Drumline, and was Percussion Captain and Drumline Captain. Over the years, Hezan received numerous academic recognitions, including AP Scholar Award, Excellence Award from the President of the USA, and others awards, some only bestowed to 1-2 students/year annually such as the 2020-’21 Frisco High School Integrity Award and the nationally recognized 2021-’22 John Philip Sousa Award. Hezan is also an active volunteer having contributed 195+ hours in Scouting and Community Service.

Zoltan Csikos

Frisco, TX
Cello

Hungarian cellist Zoltán Csikós was born in 1987. He started playing cello at the age of nine in the City of Novi Sad at the local Elementary Music School. After completing basic music studies, he graduated from the Music High School Isidor Bajic. While completing his high school courses, he was accepted into the preparatory class for gifted young students of the Academy of Music in Novi Sad. Zoltán started his undergraduate studies in 2007 at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad in the class of the region’s acclaimed Hungarian cello professor, Imre Kálmán. As a cello student, he has participated in numerous competitions and master classes and has won various awards in solo playing, as a member of a piano trio, string quartet and chamber orchestra (1st prize in cello at the Festival of Music Schools of Serbia, 2nd prize at the National Competition of Cello in Belgrade in 2003, and prizes as a long-time member of a piano trio and string quartet). In 2010, he won the Academy of Music’s Annual Concerto Competition and was selected to play the Rococo Variations by P. I. Tchaikovsky with the Academy Orchestra in the Novi Sad Concert Hall. During his studies he attended master classes with Arto Noras, Louise Hopkins, Alexander Kniazev, Antonio Meneses, Stanislav Apolin, Xenia Jankovic, David Starkweather, Alexander Kobrin, Sergiu Schwartz, and Phoebe Carrai. Zoltán finished his undergraduate studies in 2012 with the highest grades given for his final cello recital exam. He also holds a Master of Music Degree from the Academy of Music in Novi Sad and an Artist Diploma Certificate from Columbus State University where he was a student and graduate assistant in the studio of the world-renowned cellist, Wendy Warner. In 2021 he obtained a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Cello Performance from the University of North Texas as a student of Nikola Ruževic. Zoltán is also a winner of of the 2018 University of North Texas Concerto Competition, where he was selected to perform as a soloist with the UNT Concert Orchestra. He enjoys both performing and teaching and served as a cello Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas from 2016 to 2019 and a chamber music coach at the UNT Summer String Institute. Zoltán’s orchestral experience includes playing in orchestras such as the Plano Symphony, Irving Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, Orchestra of New Spain, Sinfonia da Camera, Camerata Academica, Lagrange Symphony Orchestra, and Columbus Symphony. He was also a member of the UNT Center Piano Trio, the recipient of the Hungarian American Coalition’s Dr. Elemér and Éva Kiss Scholarship, and he was awarded the University of North Texas’ Outstanding Graduate String Student Award in 2019.

Sarah Rogerson

Dallas, TX
Cello

Sarah Rogerson is a passionate teacher and cellist based in Dallas. A graduate of Texas Christian University, Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in Music. While attending TCU, she was a member of the TCU Symphony Orchestra and the TCU Cello Ensemble. She studied cello with Dr. Jesús Castro-Balbi and Laura Ospina. Sarah has been teaching cello both privately and collaboratively with music programs and schools in the DFW metroplex for the past 9 years. In 2013 and 2014, she was a clinician for the El Sistema-based summer music camp hosted by the Performing Arts Fort Worth, Inc., where she prepared her students to perform with a full orchestra on stage at Bass Hall. She also taught for several years with Rojas School of Music, the B Sharp Youth Music Program, The Conservatory at Fort Worth Country Day, and Founders Classical Academy. Throughout her years of teaching, many of Sarah’s students have earned high placements in events such as All-Region, Solo and Ensemble, All-State, and FWMTA’s solo competition. As a performer, Sarah has played with various symphonies, including the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving and the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra. She enjoys performing chamber music and for musicals, collaborating with experimental theater groups, and recording for various artists. In 2019, Sarah performed onstage with Michael Bublé at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.

Matt Harper

Dallas, 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.

Soyoung Cho

Frisco, TX
Piano

Born in South Korea, Soyoung Cho is a talented solo pianist, collaborative pianist and experienced piano instructor in USA. She entered Sookmyung University as a first-ranked student of college and received scholarship during four academic years. As an active pianist, she performed in ‘Mendelsohn’s Concerto Concert’ and in ‘Harmony of Professors and Students’ at Sookmyung. In addition, she performed in Seoul Arts Center which is one of the best concert halls in South Korea as an honor of a first-ranked student of Sookmyung. Soyoung was the winner of ‘Wonkwang University Competition’ and ‘Kijeon University Competition’ in South Korea. She also won 3rd prizes in ‘Bu-am competition,’ and in ‘Korea-Germany Brahms Competition. After completing her bachelor's degree, she came to the United States to study with Jean-Louis Haguenauer at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where she got her Master’s degree and was awarded a scholarship and graduate award. There she performed actively with violinists as the pianist for String Academy of Jacobs School of Music. In Korea, she studied with Soojin Park, Tong-il Han, Young-woo Lee, Soo-hee Uh, and Min-sook Cheon, and also has participated in numerous master classes with Gabriel Chodos, Françoise Thinat, Aviram Reichert, Min-kyung Kwon, Yoheved Kaplinsky, and Laurent Cabasso. In addition, she attended numerous piano festivals including ‘Tong-il Han Summer Piano Festival’ and ‘Bayerische Musikakademie at Hammelburg, Germany.’ In 2016, she began the doctoral degree program at the University of North Texas College of Music where she is studying with Adam Wodnicki.

Barbara Brown

Farmers Branch, TX
Piano

Barbara taught school orchestra (grades 5-12) over the course of 18 years. She is very comfortable coaching and accompanying string students. She also served as a church pianist and organist for over 15 years and enjoys playing for worship services and church choirs.

Hailey Adams

Little Elm, TX
Clinician (Choir)

Hailey Adams is an experienced choral director of 15 years with extensive UIL experience. She loves conducting and is comfortable working with all ages. Hailey will get what you need done and your choirs will have a great experience.

Daniel Campbell

Sugar Land, TX
Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre)

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).

Laetitia Ruccolo

New York, NY
Piano

French-Italian pianist Laetitia Ruccolo is the cofounder of the company Bare Opera in New York. She was a Young Artist at the National Opera Studio in London, and she has been in residence at the Royal Opera House, Welsh National Opera and Opera North. She regularly works for opera companies all over the world, and she has taught masterclasses in several American universities. She is often called by the Metropolitan Opera Education department to play for their performances, or for the masterclasses of Met artists. She has performed widely as a solo artist, as well as collaborated with chamber ensembles, singers and with orchestra in France, Italy, England, Germany, Austria, Portugal and Israel. In New York, she has performed at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the New York Historical Society, the Museum of the City of New York and at the Metropolitan Opera Guild. She played for concert hosted by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and violinist Joshua Bell. Also passionate about art songs, she has played and performed at SongFest in California, and was invited twice at the Schubert Institute in Austria, where she worked with pianists such as Julius Drake, Helmut Deutsch, Roger Vignoles, Martin Katz and Graham Johnson, as well as singers Christa Ludwig, Robert Holl and Elly Hameling. She graduated from the Ecole Normale de Musique of Paris, University Mozarteum in Salzburg, and Mannes College of Music in New York, and she also earned a degree in foreign languages and litterature (Italian, French and English) from the University of Aix-Marseille.

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.

Chris Clark

Garland, TX
Trumpet

Julia Kossuth

Fort Worth, TX
Piano

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.

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.

Joel Duarte

Grand Prairie, TX
Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical)

Mr. Joel Duarte is in his 11th year in Grand Prairie ISD (DFW area), where he currently is the Director of Choral and Vocal Activities for Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy (GPFAA). He graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and recently completed a Master's degree in Music Education from SMU. He brings a wealth of experience to the stage by producing large-scale choral productions, participating and placing in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions, and traveling the globe performing with the Dallas Symphony Chorus. Mr. Duarte is a sought-after vocal clinician throughout Texas and the nation, having served in preparatory clinics for choir contests and festivals and as a guest clinician for honor choir performances. Vocal ensembles under his direction consistently earn sweepstakes at UIL contests and place in TMEA District, Region, and All-State Choirs. In the Spring of 2017, Joel took his high school choir outside the United States, toured Italy, and competed at the Verona Choral Competition, receiving a Silver rating. High school choir ensembles at GPFAA have also been awarded "Best in Class" at various music festivals across the country, winning the 2018 Grand Champion award at Di Voce Festival-Dallas and the 2018 Adjudicator award in Nashville, Tennessee In spring 2019, GPFAA High School Mixed Choir performed at TMEA Convention as a 6A invited choir. In addition, GPFAA Treble Singers performed for the American Choral Director Association (ACDA). The following spring of 2020, the same singers were invited and performed at the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA) Conference. GPFAA Vocal Music has been recognized as back-to-back 2019 and 2020 Mark of Excellence National Winners and a 2021 GRAMMY Museum Signature School Enterprise Award recipient. Mr. Duarte's high school choirs were recently awarded 2nd place in the Youth Division of the American Prize, a national competition in performing arts. Mr. Duarte's students are passionate about learning music, thinking outside the box, and accepting any challenge presented to them. Joel's professional affiliations include the International Society for Music Education and Music in Schools and Teacher Education Commission; American Choral Directors Association; National Association for Music Education; National Association of Teachers of Singing; Texas Music Educators Association; Texas Choral Directors Association; Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Beyond his credentials as a performer and director, Mr. Duarte is tremendously passionate about teaching, mentoring, and empowering middle and high school students, the musicians of tomorrow. Mind, Heart, and Soul!

Hannah Abercrombie

Dallas, TX
Piano

Michael Ptacin

Dallas, TX
Adjudicator, Audio Technician, Composing/Arranging, 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.

Dudley McMahan

Granbury, TX
Clinician (Choir), Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

I received my BME from Tarleton State University in 1975 and my MME from University of North Texas in 1977. I started the Choral Program at Granbury HS and taught there for 32 years. I retired in 2008 and started doing musician work on my own, playing piano for School Choirs, solos, band and choir. I am the Organist /Choirmaster at St Lukes Episcopal Church in Stephenville, Tx. I was 3 times asked to be the Texas All State Accompanist as well as accompanying many region choirs.

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!

Astrid Morales Torres

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

Astrid Morales Torres is a Mexican pianist pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at Arizona State University. As an advocate of Mexican music, Astrid has performed in the United States, Mexico, Holland, Germany, Italy and Canada. In addition, she has performed as a soloist with the best Mexican orchestras. Astrid has also been the recipient of multiple awards and scholarships.

Paul Birk

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

Hanhan Li

Denton, TX
Piano

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.

Joe Feldstein

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

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.

Hector Torres

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

Paul Thompson

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

Cristian Rachid Bernal Castillo

Dallas, TX
Piano

Seowon Lee

Lewisville, TX
Violin

Rebecca Lowrey

Grapevine, TX
Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre)

W. Brent Sawyer

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

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.

Kevin Roland

Charlotte, NC
Piano, Programming, Synthesizer

Joel Bourdier

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Michael Dill

Dallas, TX
Flute, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Tenor), Synthesizer

Cheryl Wilson Janasak

McKinney, TX
Clinician (Choir)

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

Linda Ice

FORT WORTH, TX
Clinician (Choir)

Robyn Hollimon

Fort Worth, TX
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

Bob Simmons

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

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

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!

SHIH-YUAN CHANG

DENTON, TX
Piano

Shi-Yuan is completing her DMA in Piano Performance at UNT. She has several years' experience accompanying strings and winds.

Mary Jane Phillips

Benbrook, 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.

Hamilton Levine

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

Chad Ostermiller

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

Jeff Seltzer

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

Jeff Seltzer is a percussion educator, arranger, and freelance residing in Dallas, Texas. He received his M. M. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and His B. M. from Eastern Michigan University. His principle teachers include William Moersch, Ricardo Flores, and John Dorsey. He is a recipient of the Edgar Varèse Percussion Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mr. Seltzer is a member of the Percussive Arts Society, TMEA, and a life member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Jeff regularly plays mallet percussion, timpani, drum set, congas and hand drums, and steel drums. He also runs live electronics systems for marching bands.

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

Junsoo Park

Dallas, TX
Violin

Trevares Taylor

FORT WORTH, TX
Composing/Arranging, Organ, Piano, Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Synthesizer

I have been playing gospel piano and organ professionally for 29 years. I was a staff musician for the Potter's House of Dallas for 9 years. I have been producing music for over 20 years with the most recent release being Tommye Young West in 2018.

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.

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.

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

Stephanie Hicks

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

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.

Lindsay Kimbley

Frisco, TX
Flute, Piccolo

Dr. Lindsay Kimbley holds degrees from Texas Tech University (D.M.A.), Southeastern Louisiana University (M.M.), and The University of Southern Mississippi (B.M.). Dr. Kimbley is a freelance flutist in the DFW area where she teaches elementary music in Carrollton-Farmers Branch. She is currently the piccolo player for Dallas Civic Wind Ensemble and plays with the Southlake Community Band. Dr. Kimbley is an avid performer with the National Flute Association Professional Flute choir and enjoys auditioning for the prestigious ensemble every year.

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.

Stephanie Hawkins

Cedar Hill, TX
Percussion (Drumset)

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

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.

Trekorda Musician-Other 3

Carrollton, TX
Accordion, Adjudicator, Audio Technician, Banjo, Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright), Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Clinician (Band), Clinician (Choir), Clinician (Orchestra), Composing/Arranging, Contrabassoon, English Horn, Euphonium, Flute, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Steel), Harmonica, Harp, Harpsichord, Horn, Lute, Mandolin, Oboe, Organ, Other, Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Piano Technician, Piccolo, Programming, Recorder, Reeds (Multiple WW), Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Bari), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor), Synthesizer, Transcribing, Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor), Trumpet, Tuba, Ukulele, Videographer, Viola, Violin, Virtual Choir Producer, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Pop/Rock), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

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 5 Second Rule and enjoys playing guitar, mandolin 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.

Ryne Osborne

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

Ryne is a multi-instrumentalist and conductor from Dallas, Studying at Southern Methodist University. His musical influences are vast, ranging from Rocco Prestia to Henrik Linder to Adam "Nolly" Getgood. He can be seen playing bass with My Life and Troublemakers, which are Billy Joel and Weezer tribute bands respectively, as well as collaborating with the Open Parameter Ensemble on various instruments.

Xiaomeng (Nicole) Ai

DENTON, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Classical)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Maristella Feustle

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

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.

Chris Davidson

Dallas, TX

Chenshayang Huang

Plano, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical)

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 an accomplished vocalist, an award winning stage and film actor. He holds a BFA in Theatre Performance (summa cum laude) from The University of Texas at Arlington.

James Landrum

Dallas, TX
Bass (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Mandolin, Ukulele, Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

James Landrum is currently the music director and lead guitarist for Midnight Soul, a Motown, soul, and R&B wedding cover band. He is also the lead guitarist for Basket Case, a Tribute to Green Day, as well as The After Party with Stargazer productions. He has done numerous musicals and events with Trekorda since 2016, as well as running a private teaching studio in East Dallas.

Peggy Honea

Dallas, TX
Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright)

Plays upright and electric bass. Reads music and charts Over 35 years experience playing the bass

Monya Logan

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

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.

Antonella Quintana

Dallas, TX
Violin

Antonella Quintana is a musician from Los Angeles based in Dallas TX with over a decade of playing and teaching experience in violin, voice, piano, handbells, and bassoon. Her specialties include sacred music, choral music, chamber music, orchestral repertoire, early music, sight-singing, and opera.

Alejandra Maldonado

Prosper, TX
Violin

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.

Terry Metzger

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

Suyin Chuang

Allen, TX
Piano, Violin

20 years of experience with piano accompaniment. I am an active piano accompanist in Frisco ISD.

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.

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.

Miguel Cantu

Dallas, TX
Viola, Violin

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

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.

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.

Kyp Green

Fort Worth, TX
Bass (Upright)

Cory Curvin

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

I'm a collaborative pianist, choral director, and music educator with extensive experience with musicians of all ages and experience levels. Eager to ignite a love for choral music within this generation of learners, I strive to find appropriate yet challenging repertoire for singers, and navigating the nuances of emerging voices within a choral environment. As a collaborative pianist, I excel in communicating with musician(s) about their needs and desire for the overall trajectory of the project and knowing how best to highlight the strengths of the musicians and create a performance that is professionally solid and musically fulfilling.

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.

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.

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

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 27th year of teaching and her 15th 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 2021 Finalist for Grammy Music Educator of the Year.

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.

Avneesh Babar

Plano, TX
Audio Technician, 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.

Hanyuan Wang

Garland, TX
Piano, Violin

Aaron Sutton

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

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

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!

Michael McNicholas

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

Timpanist/Percussionist/Stage-hand. Member Dallas Winds. Regular sub/extra with Dallas Symphony, Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, East Texas Symphony. Principal Percussionist/Orchestra Manager, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theater, Logan Utah, Summers 2001-present. Theater credits include: Casa Mañana, Dallas Theater Center, Theater 3, Watertower Theater, and ATTPAC touring shows. Owner/Operator DFW Percussion Rentals, LLC. We handle orchestra backline rentals, Instrumental Transportation & Cartage, and provide Stage-Management services.

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.

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.

Brenton Wolfe

Denton, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Band), Trumpet

Brenton Wolfe is a versatile musician and educator in the DFW area. He is comfortable playing in any style, and has a multitude of experiences performing in classical, jazz, Latin, and pop groups. Currently, Brenton teaches in Prosper ISD and Denison ISD, and generally has between 60-80 students each semester.

Kara Solis

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

Kara Solis holds master's degrees in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano from Illinois State University, where she also taught undergraduate class piano and worked as a freelance accompanist. Prior to that, she studied Piano Performance at Sam Houston State University. She has performed solo and chamber music in the US, Hungary, Guatemala, and Honduras, and is an active collaborator, with experience in working with singers, instrumentalists, and large ensembles. She is passionate about sharing the gift of music through both performing and teaching and takes joy in continually honing her craft.

Kenny Haddox

Dallas, TX
Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright)

Rick Norman

Dallas, TX
Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright)

Cody Myre

Saint Hedwig, TX
Composing/Arranging, Transcribing

Creed Miller

Farmers Branch, TX
Cello

Creed Miller is a Florida native, and has been living in the DFW metroplex since the fall of 2018. He holds a B.M. In Cello Performance from Florida State University and a M.M. In Cello Performance from Texas Christian University. Creed plays actively with the Plano Symphony Orchestra, the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, and the Irving Symphony Orchestra. He is also a lifelong, seasoned church musician, and he currently serves as the Director of Music at Saint Alban’s Anglican Parish in Arlington, TX. He previously served as the Director of Music at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Sherman, TX.

Alexis Warren

Crowley, TX
Clinician (Choir), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Alexis was born in the Fort Worth area and grew up in Crowley ISD. After graduation, she attended Angelo State University on a music scholarship and was a member of the ASU Chamber Choir and the Opera Musical Theatre Ensemble. Alexis graduated from ASU with a degree in Music Education, with emphasis in Vocal Pedagogy and Choral Conducting. Alexis has experience in middle school choral conducting, elementary chorus conducting, show choir choreography and elementary music education.

Yi Liu

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

Born in Shanghai, Yi finished his Master in Piano Performance at Shanghai Conservatory with Cheung-Yu Mo and Graduate Performance Diploma at Boston Conservatory at Berklee with Ya-Fei Chuang. He is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts with Polish-born Steinway Artist Adam Wodnicki, working as Teaching Fellow and playing in the Center Trio at the North Texas University College of Music. Yi has poetic sensitivities and richness in his musical language, his performance retains authentic, sometimes dramatic, and organic interpretation, with brilliant technique. As a soloist, Yi has been given recitals at Shanghai Symphony Hall, Shanghai Concert Hall, Hangzhou Grand Theater, Seully Hall in Boston, Murchison Performing Arts Center Winspear Performance Hall, and Voertman Hall in Texas, Griffin Concert Hall in Colorado, and Kleines Studio in Salzburg. He is the gold prize winner of the International Keyboard Odyssiad & Festival solo division in 2019. He won the 2020 UNT Concerto Competition. The prize winner of the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival competition in 2013. In 2016, he was awarded the scholarship for the prestigious Mozarteum International Summer Music Festival in Salzburg. In 2020, he performed at Murchison performing arts center for the Celebrating Beethoven's 250th Birthday. He has developed deep and keen interests in collaboration as well. He appeared in the Mozart 150th Memorial Concert Series with Flutist Qi Wang at Shanghai Symphony Hall back in 2006. In 2017, he was invited to perform Schumann Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44 with Faculty members of Boston Conservatory at Berklee including violinist Katie Lansdale, violist Lila Brown, and cellist Rhonda Rider in the Chamber Series Concert in Boston. In 2017, he and his quartet in Boston made recordings of Brahms Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor, Op. 60, and won the Second Prize in the Chamber Music Division of the 4th ENKOR International Music Competition. In 2018, he was invited to perform for the China and Turkey Exchange International Musicians Concert Series in Suzhou. He has a great passion for working with singers as well, in the summer of 2019, he accompanied the whole Opera “Don Giovanni” for the Orchestra parts piano reduction version at Voertman Hall in Texas. Both his solo and chamber music recordings have been posted on the online channel “Le Salon de la Musique” (2020 - 2021). He had performed in the masterclass with musicians including Alan L. Smith, Andrew Harley, Arnaldo Cohen, Dover Quartet (Joel Link, Bryan Lee, Milena Pajaro-Van de Stadt, Camden Shaw), Hermitage Trio (Misha Keylin, Sergey Antonov, and Ilya Kazantsev), Jean Barr, Jonathan Bass, Joseph Banowetz, Judith Gordon, New Zealand String Quartet (Helene Pohl, Monique Lapins, Gillian Ansell, Rolf Gjelsten), Kemal Gekic, Michael Chertock, Oleg Marshev, Rhonda Rider, Robert Levin, Seth Knopp, Sarah Bob.

Priscilla Holt

Gordonville, TX
Clinician (Band), Clinician (Choir), Clinician (Orchestra), Flute, Piccolo

Priscilla Ochran Holt, Ph.D. flutist, and conductor has performed and worked with some of the best in the American Musical industry: Harold Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Jonathan Tunnick, Roberta Peters, Theodore Bikel, Hershel Bernardi, June Havoc, Juliet Prowse, Richard Harris, Anson WIlliams and others. She toured in the American Musical Theater Productions of Sweeney Todd and Barnum and performed at the Valley Forge Theater in Philadelphia. Dr. Holt has spent the last seventeen years in Frisco ISD, conducting award winning orchestras and choirs. Both Seussical and Annie pit orchestras, which she rehearsed and conducted, were nominated in the best orchestra category by The Dallas Summer Musicals, 2015 and 2017, respectively. The CHS Annie Orchestra was also nominated by the Betty Lynn Buckley Awards. Dr. Holt holds performance degrees from Duquesne University and New England Conservatory and a Ph.D. from the University of Miami. Retiring June 1, 2019, Dr. Holt is available to assist in the productions of area schools; whether serving as a clinician, conductor, flutist or auxiliary personnel, she will bring expertise, enthusiasm and support for students and directors alike.

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.

Victor Diaz

Dallas, TX
Harpsichord, Organ, Piano

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.

Tiffany Tsay

Irving, TX
Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre)

Kyle Larson

Dallas, TX
Bassoon, Contrabassoon

Jordan Justice

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

Bill Zauner

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

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/

Sarah Brown

Carrollton, TX
Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre)

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.

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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Jeff Lankov

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

JEFF LANKOV, Pianist, has been hailed for his “superb, fearless, ferocious, and sensitive,” (New York Times) “performances of brilliance and dedication…there seems to be nothing that eludes his grasp” (New York Concert Review). His playing has been described as “muscular and moving” (Dallas Morning News) and “shimmering and assertive.” (Portland Tribune). Writes Fanfare: “This is a superb performance of the very highest standard…beyond criticism.” As a soloist and sought-after collaborative artist, Lankov has performed in major concert venues throughout the world, including solo recitals at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and numerous world premieres. Lankov is a specialist in the works of living composers and the American minimalist movement and has recorded compositions by John Adams, Timo Andres, Michael Finnissy, George Gershwin, Morton Lauridsen, Olivier Messiaen, Astor Piazzolla, Jake Runestad, Robert Xavier Rodríguez and Melinda Wagner. In the popular genre, Lankov has performed on Broadway and at Radio City Music Hall. Lankov’s multimedia performance pieces combine music with theatrical elements, visual art and computer-generated sounds and images, often in unusual juxtapositions that explore the synthesis of popular and classical forms. Dr. Lankov is Professor of Music and head of Piano Studies at Tarrant County College Northeast. He received a Ph.D. in Piano Performance from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University.

Jason Bennett

Richardson, TX
Guitar (Electric)

Christine Bouton

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

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.

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.

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.

Bethany Lorentzen

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

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.

Rachel Bundy

DALLAS, TX
Violin

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.

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.

Ryan Schlotterback

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

Ryan Schlotterback is a Dallas/Fort Worth based percussionist, music educator, and composer. A native of Minneapolis MN, Ryan began studying music at a young age and has continued down that path ever since. As a performer, Ryan’s skill sets and experience includes jazz, classical, and world percussion instruments and genres. Professionally, Ryan is a member of the Texas State Guard Jazz Orchestra where he plays drum set and auxiliary percussion. He also performs regularly with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and with several churches and other instrumental and choral groups around the DFW Metroplex. In addition, Ryan previously held a section percussion spot with the Fargo/Moorhead Symphony and has performed with the Fargo/Moorhead Opera. He has participated in the Eastern Music Festival and the Bob Becker Xylophone Institute. In celebration of the Percussive Arts Society’s 50th anniversary in 2011, Ryan had the honor of performing amongst 50 students in a collegiate marimba orchestra as the concertmaster. Ryan has a bachelor of music degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and a master of music degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. As a graduate assistant at TCU, Ryan taught the drumline, percussion ensembles, steel bands, percussion methods class, and private lessons. Ryan's professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda. His past and present teachers include Dr. David Eyler, Dr. Richard Gipson, Dr. Brian West, Joseph Carter, John Shaw, and Jeff Hodge.

Kami Luján

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

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.

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.

Katie Glading

Denton, TX
Trombone (Tenor)

Katie Glading is a tenor trombonist and music educator in the DFW metroplex. She earned her Music Education and Trombone Performance degrees from Fort Hays State University and her Masters in Trombone from University of North Texas. Katie previously taught middle and high school band and now teaches private low brass lessons in Frisco ISD. As an active performer in North Texas, Katie is a member of the Dallas Brass Band along with playing in the pit orchestra for numerous local high school and community theatres, often doubling on euphonium as well. Katie also has experience playing in big bands, chamber ensembles, and large group ensembles.

James Worley

Fort Worth, TX
Adjudicator, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

James has a Bachelor's degree in musical theater and vocal performance as well as a Master's degree in Music Education. He is a current member of the Dallas Symphony Chorus, entering his 10th season with the chorus. He has performed in musical theatre productions all across the DFW area for the past 21 years. He was also a middle school choir director for 9 years, teaching in both Duncanville ISD and Crowley ISD.

Benjamin Brown

Dallas, 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.

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.

Carlos Vargas

dallas, TX
Cello

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.

Clayton Williams

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

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.

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.

Marie Rogers

Benbrook, TX
Piano

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

Paul Bright

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

Brandon Burkhalter

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

Brandon Burkhalter began playing the drums at age 11. His music education continued throughout his school years, in addition to the time he spent in private instruction. Brandon learned from the greats, with Rich Malloy, Jon Hussey, Steve Pruitt, Brian Ferguson, and John Blackwell (Prince, Luther Vandross, Justin Timberlake) etc. In 2010, he received a full-ride scholarship to the Berklee College of Music for their 5-Week Summer Performance Intensive. Upon completion of the Intensive, he was offered a scholarship to study at Berklee full-time. At the age of 14, he was accepted into the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, (where he studied music theory, orchestral and rudimental percussion and jazz drumming,) prior to venturing outward to pursue his career as a professional drummer. In 2010, Brandon co-founded "Polyphia", a band that would later sign with Equal Vision Records and the Artery Foundation (later shifting to “Royal Division” Entertainment). He recorded two studio albums (“Muse”, Renaissance”), two EP’s (“Resurrect”, “Inspire”) and toured all over North America with bands such as; August Burns Red, Every Time I Die, Dance Gavin Dance, Stick To Your Guns, and many more. Today, Brandon is an independent artist releasing his own material, as well as a freelance musician & drummer offering his expertise in live performance, studio recording, and drumming lessons!

Caleb Jones

Dallas, TX

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.

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.

Cassandra Lin

LEWISVILLE, TX
Violin

Kevin Hamm

Dallas, TX
Videographer

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.

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!

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.

Dustin Barksdale

Dallas, TX
Adjudicator, Clinician (Choir), Composing/Arranging, Piano, Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Dustin Barksdale has been playing piano since he was 9 years old. Over 20 years later, he still cannot pass a piano without sitting down and playing it. In high school, he accompanied many choirs at Northwest High school, before accompanying many choirs in Irving ISD from 2013-2020. He has played for musical productions of: “Hairspray,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Cinderella,” & “Big: The Musical.” In addition to accompanying, Dustin has been a middle and high school choir director for over a decade now. He taught at Austin Middle School in Irving from 2013-2020, Humble Middle School in Humble from 2020-2021, Frasier Middle School in Mesquite from 2021-2022, and now holds his dream position as 6th-12th grade Director of Choirs for The Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy in Dallas. Dustin is a member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Choral Directors Association. He judges numerous UIL Concert/Sight-Reading competitions each year and is willing and able to serve as a clinician prior to your concert. Dustin lives in Dallas, TX and graduated with a BS in Songwriting from Belmont University in 2012.

Vernon Richter

Lake Dallas, TX
Trumpet

Vernon Richter 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. Vernon is a charter member of The Top Brass Band which plays music of Chicago, Tower Of Power, Blood Sweat and Tears, The Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Delbert McClinton and similar artist in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. 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. Vernon has been Bach Artist since 2018, more information is available at: Vernon Richter : Centerstage (conn-selmer.com).

Lejing Zhou

Denton, TX
Cello

Julie Gray

Denton, TX
Trombone (Tenor), Tuba

Karen Blackstone

Fort Worth, TX
Piano

Eka Gogichashvili

Waco, TX
Violin

Christopher Young

Waxahachie, TX
Bass (Electric), Composing/Arranging, Transcribing

Christopher Young holds a Masters of Music Education from University of Texas in Arlington and currently serves as the director of bands for The Barack Obama Male Leadership academy where he oversees operations of all ensembles and performances for students in grades 6-12. Christopher has served as Director of Bands for Dallas Carter High School for 17 years managing a comprehensive program that included marching band, jazz band, and concert bands. During his musical tenure, Christopher was also the music director of productions to include, “Dream Girls”, “The Wiz”, “High School Musical”, and “Beauty and the Beast”. Christopher has served as a musician at several Dallas area churches to include the Inspiring Body of Christ Church, Freedom Point Church, and Praise Works Ministries, and The Church on the Move located in Grand Prairie, TX. Christopher is currently a bassist at the EastGate Baptist Church in Dallas, TX.

Arielle Collier

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

Manuel Munoz

Irving, TX
Trumpet

Dennis Langevin

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

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.

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.

Brice Smith

Dallas, TX
Flute, Piccolo

Dr. Brice Smith has a deep passion for teaching and engaging communities through classical music. Smith serves as Adjunct Professor of Flute at Adams State University and previously served as Assistant Artistic Director for Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music Flute Academy. He has performed in several professional ensembles, including the Colorado Symphony, New World Symphony, and the National Repertory Orchestra summer festival. As a soloist, he has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with the Arkansas Philharmonic, University of Michigan Camerata Symphony Orchestra, as well as other orchestras and bands. Additionally, Smith has performed at the National Flute Association'sConvention as a member of the Colorado Flute Orchestra, and premiered solo flute works during the summer of 2020, for the National Flute Association’s Summer Series and the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music’s “Gig Thru COVID.” He is a founding member of the Boulder Altitude Directive (BAD Ensemble) new music ensemble, conducted by Dr. Carter Pann. Smith is a Trevor James Alto and Bass Flute Artist, and recording Artist for Alry Publications LLC., and the American Composers Alliance Inc. Smith has a rich and wide-ranging set of experiences in teaching and recruitment, as well as scholarly research and publication, including his alma mater, the University of Arkansas. During his D.M.A., He has given presentations, taught masterclasses and lessons for multiple universities, has held the position of Artistic and Development Assistant for the Crested Butte Music Festival, and served as the Graduate Assistant and Student Engagement Specialist for the director of the Entrepreneurship Center for Music at the University of Colorado Boulder. Administratively, he currently serves as an executive board member for the Texas Flute Society, National Flute Association Low Flutes Committee, and Assistant Artistic Administrative Director for the Crested Butte Music Festival. Smith completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Flute Performance andPedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder with Christina Jennings, a Master of Music in Flute Performance and a Master of Music in Chamber Music at the University of Michigan with Amy Porter, as well as a Performer Diploma at Indiana University under the direction of Thomas Robertello. Smith studied with Ronda Mains at the University of Arkansas, where he completed a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance, Violin Performance, and German language. Dr. Brice Smith is published in the July, 2020 issue of the Flute View magazine, for his article “Beauty With Intention: Expanding the Wealth of Flute Repertoire.”

Maren Flechsig

Arlington, 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 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.

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!

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 eclectic Celtic band, 5 Second Rule.

Yu Ying Chang

Denton , TX
Piano

Mae Morton

McKinney, TX
Piano

Bachelor’s of Music in piano performance Master’s of Music in Piano Pedagogy

Christine Adams

Harrison, AR
Clinician (Choir)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Russell Mirabelli

Grand Prairie, TX
Bass (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Mandolin

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.

Diego Campos

Denton, TX
Violin

Hongling Liang

Denton, 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.

Yasmine Bougacha

Cincinnati, OH
Violin

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Yasmine Bougacha has been pursuing violin for fourteen years as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician. When she was accepted into the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Young Strings scholarship program in 2011 her musical career quickly began to take off. In 2012, Yasmine was accepted into Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, one of the country’s top conservatory high schools for music performance. While in high school she placed in the top ten chairs in the All-City and All-Region orchestras, performed for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State orchestra convention, and gave a concert tour in China with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO). Yasmine has also become a successful and well-known performer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and has participated in several solo competitions – of those she won third place in the Friedlander Concerto Competition in 2015 and first place in the Ribelin String Solo Competition in 2016. In 2018 she was invited to solo with the orchestra of professors of La Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez in Oaxaca, Mexico. In addition to being an active soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician, she has also made a name for herself as a freelance performer by being the violinist in the Young Strings Honors String Duet and a guest artist for Mariachi Rosas Divinas.

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.

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.

Ligia Pucci

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

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.

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.

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.

Eric Smith

Plano, TX
Cello

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.

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.

Emily Guerrero

Arlington, TX
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.

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.

Brooklynn Bier

Richardson, TX
Bass (Electric), Flute, Guitar (Electric), Horn, Piccolo, Reeds (Multiple WW), Transcribing, Videographer

Trekorda Young Artist Apprentice

Trekorda Musician- Other

Carrollton, TX
Organ, Piano, Piano (Musical Theatre), Programming, Synthesizer, Viola, Violin

Kristin Spires

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

I-Ching Chen

Denton, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical)

Florence Scattergood

Waco, TX
Clinician (Choir)

Florence Scattergood is a veteran choral music educator whose teaching assignments number 11 schools in 4 districts and vary from 2A rural to 5A urban campuses and include suburban private as well as at-risk public schools. Building successful programs under less than optimal circumstances has become a theme throughout her career. While in Irving ISD, she was honored as ESC Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year (1998-99), and in 2003-04 she was selected the Secondary Teacher of the Year for Waco ISD. Her choirs have been recognized as community builders by a variety of civic organizations and have received the Model of Unity Award by the Community Race Relations Coalition in 2004 and 2014. Although her most recent years have been spent in secondary schools, she has taught grades 1 through 12 and has served for many years as a cooperating teacher and field instructor of choral music education on the collegiate level, supervising over 30 student teachers for 5 universities. In 2009, Mrs. Scattergood was selected as the first recipient of the Baylor University Music Education Distinguished Alumni Award. Mrs. Scattergood currently serves as Director of the Youth Chorus of Central Texas and as an adjunct lecturer at Baylor University.

Bryce Biffle

Garland, TX
Accordion, Clinician (Band), Composing/Arranging, Transcribing, Trombone (Tenor), Tuba

Bryce Biffle is an educator, composer/arranger, published author, music director, and multi-instrumentalist active in the DFW metroplex.

Gabriel Bita

Evans, CO
Piano

Gabriel Bita has over forty years of experience as a musician, pianist, teacher, and over 17 years as a collaborative pianist and coach at Texas Woman’s University. During the course of Gabriel's career he has acquired an extensive record of performing and coaching with faculty, students, and guest recitalists in the vocal and instrumental areas, including faculty performances, chamber music, student lessons, student juries, student auditions, opera workshops, chorus, master classes, professional and live recordings, and studio classes. Gabriel holds both a Master’s of Music degree from The Juilliard School and a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, in Piano Performance. He has had the opportunity to perform as a soloist with Columbus Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, among others, as well as collaborating in chamber music events with famous artists, such as Christopher Adkins, principal cellist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, flutists Carol Wincenc, Ian Clarke, Gary Shocker, among others. Gabriel has also studied with famous musicians, such as Vladimir Viardo, Martin Canin, and Leon Fleisher.

Karina Sim

Dallas, TX
Violin

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.

David Bonofiglio

Oak Creek, WI
Programming

Kirstyn Norris Alarcon

Dallas, TX
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre), Programming

Kirstyn Norris Alarcon is a percussionist, drummer, and cimbalom player in the DFW area. She received her Masters of Music from Southern Methodist University where she specialized in jazz vibraphone and chamber playing. Norris Alarcon also participates in regional orchestras in the area as well as local musical theatre productions. During her undergraduate work, Norris Alarcon participated in both Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International as a percussionist.

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

Dana Taylor

Flower Mound, TX
Piano

Juan Avila

Cedar Park, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Musical Theatre)

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.

Annie Heffley

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

Emily Baltzer

Alpena, SD
Piano, Piano (Classical), Piano (Jazz/Pop), Piano (Musical Theatre)

My musical experience is extremely varied. Most of my most recent professional experience is in musical theater and opera, both as pianist and music director. I'm comfortable with both instrumentalists and vocalists--I am a former bassoonist myself, and have been working with singers for many years. I hold a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from University of Northwestern--St. Paul, and a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from University of North Texas.

Michael Needham

Grapevine, TX
Composing/Arranging, Transcribing, Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Jazz)

Michael A. Needham is a composer, trombonist, and teacher who has written music for independent films, web series, and live performances. He is experienced writing in a wide range of genres, including but not limited to jazz/big band, chamber music, orchestral, and even music for young voices. An accomplished trombonist, Mike had the privilege of studying with renowned soloist and pedagogue Don Lucas. Over the course of his instrumental career, he has been a member of the Lubbock and Roswell Symphony Orchestras. He has also toured with the Harry James Orchestra and played for Princess and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Currently Mike serves as the Director of Choirs for the Digital Arts and Technology Academy (DATA) at Adams Middle School in Grand Prairie, Texas. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University and a proud alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He holds memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) as well as the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). Mike lives in Grapevine, Texas with his wife and collaborator, Robyn, and their cat, Mocha.

Noe Garcia Jacinto

Denton, TX
Bass (Electric), Composing/Arranging, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric), Lute, Mandolin, Ukulele

Noe’s warmth and musical sensibility have earned him admiration of audiences’ nationwide and abroad. He is known for his versatility in a wide range of musical styles and frequently arranges and performs in a variety of settings including Baroque, World music, Jazz and Pop. Noe’s recent concert engagements have taken him to Carrion de los Condes (Palencia), Spain to perform as part of the Camino Artes concert series. Most recently, Noe traveled to China for the second time and performed a series of concerts in Qinhuangdao, Jinan, Dalian, Suzhou and Beijing with his guitar trio, Trio Resonance. Noe is also an avid guitar educator and is currently working on doctoral studies at the University of North Texas where he was awarded a teaching fellowship. Noe earned his music education degree from the University of Texas at Brownsville under the direction of Dr. Michael Quantz and Dr. Jonathan Dotson. In 2015, he completed his master’s in performance from Columbus State University where he studied with internationally recognized guitarist and pedagogue Dr. Andrew Zohn.

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.

Brittany Haywood

Kennedale, TX
Piano, Piano (Classical), Vocalist (Classical), Vocalist (Praise/Worship)

Nathan Smith

Dallas, TX
Piano Technician

Christian Gonzalez

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

Ethan Deppe

Chicago, IL
Percussion (Drumset), Percussion (Mallet), Percussion (Other), Piano, Synthesizer

Susan Kheshtinejad

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

Susan F. Kheshtinejad is a native Texan who acquired a love for piano and music at an early age. Born in Corsicana, she began lessons at the age of three. By the time her family relocated to the DFW area at the age of 12, she knew that she would make her life’s journey through music in teaching, performing and accompanying. ? Susan maintained a private piano studio in Duncanville and Dallas from 1976 until 1986 and continued to accompany churches, schools, soloists and instrumentalists all over the DFW area. Susan also found that she had a gift for entertaining professionally in more relaxed settings. She began to experiment with improvisation and study more “pop” and jazz styles, incorporating those styles into her teaching. In 1986, Susan relocated to the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC area and eventually to Washington, D.C. She continued to teach privately as well as performing solo and with other musicians. While accompanying all choirs at Duncanville High School, and with her vocal and choral experience, she was offered a position as Assistant Director of Choral Activities and Accompanist. Earning her Texas Teacher Certification, she taught and accompanied six choirs and became the instructor of Advanced Placement Music Theory. She accompanied for All-Region Choirs, recorded accompaniment tracks, accompanied other schools and continued as a church accompanist/organist and director. Ms. Kheshtinejad was often asked to adjudicate at choral events as well as piano festivals and competitions.

"“I welcome the opportunity to become a small part of your path towards musical growth and success and our journey together! Welcome to my piano studio”!"

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.

Hannah Fieseler

Denton, TX
Piano

Hannah Fieseler is a DFW local accompanist who has had experience accompanying middle school and high school choirs for choir concerts, solo and ensemble contest, and UIL contest. She holds degrees in piano performance from West Coast Baptist College, as well as a Music Education degree from Texas Woman's University. She has accompanied in Birdville ISD, Arlington ISD, Denton ISD, as well as Argyle ISD.

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.

Danny Brock

The Colony, TX
Clinician (Band), Trumpet

I have extensive classical music experience on trumpet in the following: -Solo -Chamber (Brass quintet, quartets, trios, trumpet ensemble) -Large Ensemble (full wind band, orchestra, brass choir) Commercial Experience on trumpet -Big bands -Cumbia -Musicals (Hello Dolly, West Side Story, The Music Man) -Brass theatre stage productions (Blast)

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.

Hollie Dzierzanowski

Denton, TX
Viola

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.

Robert Brown

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

Kerri Watson-Elrod

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

Kerri is an active accompanist/ pianist, musical director, and vocalist in the greater Houston area. She has a Masters in Piano Performance (with an Accompanying emphasis) and a Bachelors in Vocal Performance both from Kent State University, Ohio. She has played piano for both the Cleveland Opera and Houston Grand Opera. Kerri was a Choral Director (grades 6-12) in Katy ISD and CyFair ISD for 13 years total. She enjoys collaborating with others to create performances that are both meaningful and inspirational. When Kerri is not making music, she can be found helping others declutter their homes with her home organizing business (Keepin' It Kneat) and making memories with her husband, daughter, and 3 dogs.

Leandro Walter

Fayeteville, AR
Percussion (Drumset)

Leandro Walter is a versatile percussionist and drummer from Argentina who performs regularly in a wide variety of musical contexts including pop, jazz, blues, world music, classical, and musical theatre. He worked as a percussionist for three years in the Argentine Air Force Brass Band and Orchestra and has played live and recorded for the Argentine United Armed Forces Orchestra, The Salvation Army South East American Territorial Band (SAETB), and El Rufián Melancólico Trío blues band. He has also been a percussion/drums educator in the Argentine Air Force, in the Biblica Institute of Buenos Aires (IBBA), and at The Salvation Army Central Corps in Argentina. He has attended several music institutes: the XV Percussion Festival of La Patagonia, the 16th Music Seminary of the National Symphonic Band of Argentina (Timpanist), John Wooton's Rudimental Snare Drum Clinic in "Alberto Ginastera" Conservatory, and Daniel "Pipi" Piazzola's Drum Clinic. He has also taken private classes with some of Argentina’s most notable drummers: Sergio Verdinelli, Ezequiel "Chino" Piazza, Mariano Sanci, Litto Dartois and Walter Rinavera. Leandro studied percussion in various schools: "Juan Manuel de Falla" Conservatory in Buenos Aires, "Julian Aguirre" Conservatory in Rio IV (Cordoba) and the "Escuela Superior de Música de la Provincia de Misiones" in Misiones, Argentina.

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