2011 AFA Faculty - Choral & Vocal Studies
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Jason
Carson Mr.
Carson is beginning his third year as Director of Choral Activities
at Westside High School. Under his direction, the choir students
have created a new standard of excellence at Westside High School.
Most impressive was the successes of his choirs at the annual UIL
Concert and Sight-Reading Competition where two of the three participating
choirs earned “Sweepstakes” trophies. |
Dr.
Eduardo Garcia-Novelli Eduardo
Garcia-Novelli is a native of Argentina who earned two degrees from
conservatories in Buenos Aires. He served as assistant director
of the Argentinean National Young People Choir in Buenos Aires and
served as director of the award-winning choral program at Belgrano
Day School. He earned a Master of Music degree in choral conducting
from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and a Doctorate
of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Houston. |
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Captivating
audiences around the world in his interpretations of Gershwin, J.S.
Bach, Mozart, or Chopin, Shawn Heller is one of the most versatile
and thrilling young pianists of today. He is sure to dazzle you
with his uncompromising virtuosity, artistic vision, and unique
style. Music critics have described Shawn as a 'pianist of distinction',
and have commented on his 'impressive technique' and 'incredible
composure'. |
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David
Landgrebe David
Landgrebe is in his seventh year as the assistant choral director
at Spring High School. He conducts the Concert Men, A Cappella Women,
teaches AP Music Theory, and co-directs the annual all-school musical..
David also assists with the Concert Women, Chorale Men, Chorale
Women, Chorale and Chamber Choir. Choirs under his direction and
co-direction have consistently earned Sweepstakes at University
Interscholastic League Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. In the
summer of 2007 David was named an inaugural recipient of the Distinguished
Young Director Award given by the membership of the Texas Choral
Directors Association. |
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Amy
Moore Amy
Moore is currently in her 13th year of teaching and her ninth year
as head choral director at Labay Middle School. During her tenure
at Labay, the choirs have received consistent awards including numerous
UIL Sweepstakes and Best in Class recognitions at area festivals.
Students under her direction consistently place in the all-region
choir and receive superior ratings at solo and ensemble competition.
Mrs. Moore is very proud to be a main feeder to Cypress-Falls High
School where many of her former students continue their musical
pursuits and compete successfully at the All-State level. She is
committed to her students’ success not only as young singers
and musicians, but as outstanding and successful individuals. |
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Carole
Nelson Carole Nelson is the Director of Voice Studies at the High School for the Performing And Visual Arts and is devoted to developing the young singer. Her teaching is nationally recognized by the Arts Recognition and Talent Search (ARTS). Her students are consistently accepted to top schools and conservatories such as Juilliard, Eastman, Cincinnati, Boston University and New England Conservatory to name a few. In addition to HSPVA, Ms. Nelson serves as Associate Director of Houston Boychoir where she has prepared the choir for work with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera and Opera in the Heights as well as performances with the chorus and orchestra of the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. Ms. Nelson is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing as well as TMEA. She has conducted numerous clinics on the developing voice around the city and for the Arizona Music Teachers Association conference. |
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Catherine
Schaefer Catherine Schaefer, a native of Spokane, WA, holds a B.M. and a B.A. from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She recently moved to Houston to pursue her M.M. under Abbey Simon at University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, where she also teaches music theory and aural skills, and works as an accompanist. |
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Brian
Shircliffe Lyric baritone Brian Shircliffe is excited to be performing with Ars Lyrica again. The San Antonio native has sung with Dayton Opera, Lake George Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Opera in the Heights, Houston Grand Opera and Opera Vista. Following his performance as Dancaïro in Carmen, with Houston’s Opera in the Heights, the Houston Chronicle said: “The best individual singing of the evening came from Brian Shircliffe as Dancairo, one of Carmen’s fellow smugglers... He had a sure vocal presence, a natural, unblemished sound and an easy delivery...” Among the leading roles he has performed are: Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Alvaro in Il Viaggio a Rheims, Masetto in Don Giovanni, The Magistrate in Buoso’s Ghost, Tom in Face on the Barroom Floor, Guglielmo and Don Alfonso in Così fan Tutte, Melchior in Amahl and the Night Vistors, Marcello and Schaunard in La Bohème, and Sid in Albert Herring. Mr. Shircliffe earned his master’s degree from The University of Houston’s Moores School of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Timothy Jones. While at the Moores School he added the roles of the Steward in the new British opera Flight by Jonathan Dove, the Philosopher in Massenet’s Cherubin, Harry Easter in Street Scene, Guglielmo in Così fan Tutte, and Figaro in John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles to his repertoire. The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition awarded him both third place and Audience Choice Award in 2007. Mr. Shircliffe can be heard on the recently released recording of Dominick Argento’s Casanova’s Homecoming in the role of Lorenzo da Ponte. |
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Kimberly Tobola is in her 8th year as Director of Choirs at Lanier Middle School in HISD. Under her direction, Lanier Choirs have consistently received Sweepstakes awards at UIL Contest and Sight Reading and Splashtown Choral Festival. In addition to her teaching, Ms., Tobola also sings with the professional vocal ensemble, VOX. |
| Liz
Wade Vocal Studies |
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Holly Wilson holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston, and a Performer's Certificate from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She also has a Certificate of Performance from the Russian School of Piano, in Freiburg, Germany. Her teachers have included: Ruth Tomfohrde, Dr. Robert Weirich, Abby Simon, Dr. Vitaly Margulis, and Sergei Babayan. She has been a medalist in the San Antonio Music Club Competition, the Ruth Burr Competition, the Missouri MTNA Competition and the UMKC Concerto Competition. Upcoming performances this fall include: recital engagements in Houston, Fort Worth, and Shreveport; and, an orchestral engagement in Kansas City, Missouri. |
| All
faculty subject to change |
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