GRAY
School of Music

Parent Handbook
2006-2007

Main text of web site
for printers, PDAs and slow modems
Updated January 2007

11661 Preston Road, Suite 136
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-369-7772
www.grayschoolofmusic.com

Contents

School Calendar 2006-2007

Participation in festivals and other activities is optional. Dates subject to change.

2006

Affiliated With:

Dallas Music Teachers Association
Dallas North Music Teachers Association
Texas Music Teachers Association
Music Teachers National Association

(inside front cover)

The Music School where:

• We provide a warm, caring environment that fosters a love of music within each pupil that will result in a lifelong joy of music. Music education for ages 4 -100.
• Instruction is given for all types and ages of students from the basic beginner leisure musician to the serious student of music.
• Each student is motivated in a creative manner so that practicing is fun.
• The finest professional instruction, instruments, and state-of-the-art technology are provided so that a student’s lessons will be profitable and memorable.
• Each member of the faculty is dedicated solely to the art of teaching. All are degreed teachers of music with experience in teaching young children.
• Memorable recitals that help increase self-confidence are given periodically.

1

Music Programs

PIANO LESSONS

All piano study at the Gray School of Music is done in private or group lesson format. Individual attention is given to each pupil’s learning rate and needs. The amount of time needed for a lesson is determined by the age, ability of the student, practice habits, and number of extra-curricular activities. Periodically, performance classes will be scheduled with children of the same age to practice performing for recitals and festivals. Parents are invited to attend any or all of their child’s piano lessons. Children learn faster if piano is a family affair.

GRADES K-6

Younger children usually require a 30-minute private lesson per week. Children in grades 3 to 6 may also stay for an optional 15-minute self-paced computer theory program making their lessons a total of 45 minutes.

GRADES 7 AND UP

As young people enter this age, interest in piano is more difficult to maintain. This is a time when so many new opportunities for extra activities are made available. Piano needs to be creative and provide stress relief as well as achievement in playing well for the busy adolescent. Lessons will be 30 to 45 minutes long. The computer component is no longer necessary for these lessons.

ADULTS

Lesson length for adults is based upon time required to cover necessary material. Both adult beginners and adults who have had previous piano lessons earlier in life will find piano lessons a wonderful stress-reliever and very rewarding.

CLASS PIANO

Class piano is a wonderful program for children, ages 5 to 12, who want to play the piano, but like a group learning experience. Small classes with 4 children meet for 45 minutes per week. Beginning concepts of piano are taught on digital pianos as well as the grand piano. Concepts are enriched by the use of games and theory activities. Please call our office for more detailed information. Classes are scheduled as they form.

GUITAR LESSONS

AGES 7 AND UP

Guitar lessons are taught in a private 30 to 45 minute lesson. Basic to advanced styles, chords, and techniques will be mastered. Students are required to bring their own acoustic guitar. Students must be 7 years of age or older.

VOICE LESSONS

AGES 13 AND UP

Voice lessons are taught in a private 30-minute or 45-minute lesson. Basic to advanced singing styles and techniques will be studied.

CHILDREN'S SINGING — AGES 8 TO 12

Children’s Singing is taught in a private 30-minute or 45-minute lesson with occasional group activities. Basic to advanced singing styles and techniques will be studied.

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Summer Program

It is important that all students continue their musical studies during the summer. For the beginning student, constant review of the fundamentals is needed for continued progress with their instrument. For more advanced students, the summer is a time to begin new repertoire for fall festivals and recitals for the fall. For piano students, it is also the best time to review for the state theory test.

Lessons range from 30 to 60 minutes in length. A 15-minute computer component is optional in the summer for piano students in grades 3 – 6. Guitar students must have an acoustic guitar to practice with at home and bring to each lesson. See the tuition chart for current rates.

Each student enrolled in the Gray School of Music must participate in at least FOUR private lessons during the summer term, in order to enroll the following year. Each individual teacher will schedule private lessons after May 1st in an appointment book. Parents can sign up in the appointment book at different times in order to accommodate different camp and vacation schedules during the summer.

Families who have plans in the summer that prevent them from taking summer lessons need to discuss this with their teacher. Each request will be reviewed individually.

PLEASE REFER TO THE CALENDAR WHERE WE HAVE LISTED SPECIFIC DATES OF EVENTS, HOLIDAYS, AND SCHOOL TERMS.

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School Policies

Each pupil will receive 35 lessons during from September through the end of May. Holidays will include Thanksgiving week, Christmas, Spring Break and a week of sick leave for teachers. Please refer to our school calendar at the beginning of this handbook for specific dates.

TUITION: Tuition is PREPAID FOR EACH MONTH in advance by the first week of the month or semester. This fee does not cover music, fees for piano contests, recitals, and festivals. The full term tuition is DIVIDED INTO NINE AND HALF EQUAL PAYMENTS from Aug-May. While the number of lessons varies from month to month, the monthly tuition remains unchanged. You will receive a monthly statement itemizing your tuition payment. A $10 late fee will be assessed for payments net received by the 10th of each month. Payments may be made by check or credit card. Returned check fee is $30.

MISSED LESSONS: One make-up lesson per semester (fall and spring) will be given with a 24-hour notice of absence. The make-up must be completed by the end of the semester. Absences for illness, death in family, or other emergencies will be considered for make-up lessons at the sole discretion of the teacher. Please be considerate of our faculty’s busy schedules.

SUMMER LESSONS: Each pupil must participate in at least FOUR private piano lessons taught at the Gray School of Music in order to re-enroll for the following year. If family summer plans prevent a pupil from taking summer lessons, please discuss this with your teacher. Special requests will be reviewed individually.

WITHDRAWAL: Registration is for the entire year. If a student must withdraw before the end of the on-going school year, a two-week notice is required. If a two-week notice is not provided, the student is still responsible for the tuition to cover the two-week period.

FEES: Recital, festival, guild, student affiliate, theory test, and other competition fees, as well as special music purchased by the teacher are not covered by tuition, but will be billed separately by each individual teacher. Parents will be responsible for purchasing most of their child’s music at the local music store as directed by the teacher.

PRACTICE: Practice is essential to progress in piano. It is the parent’s responsibility to monitor practice to see that it is done daily. A weekly practice chart must be filled out and signed each week by a parent. Weekly practice goals are set individually for each child by the teacher with parent input.

PUNCTUALITY: Punctuality is expected. Lesson times will not be extended due to late arrivals.

PROGRESS: Progress will be reviewed by the teacher. Students not practicing according to the teacher and parents expectations need to consider whether private lessons are beneficial for them. When students do not practice, parents will be consulted as to whether lessons should be continued.

BILLING: Computerized monthly statements will be mailed to parents the last week of each month. Payment is to be PREPAID by the first lesson of each month.

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Piano Faculty

Vicki Gray owns and directs the Gray School of Music.  She founded the Gray School of music and has taught piano for 39 years. She has a Masters of Music from Southern Methodist University and has done doctoral studies in piano at the University of North Texas.  Mrs. Gray is a distinguished and accomplished composer.  Compositions have included five children’s fairy tale operettas; MUSIC FOR MINORS, a method for preschool music; and articles in professional journals and newsletters.  Mrs. Gray is an expert on musical technology and motivational techniques.  Her students have been winners in competitions at Baylor University, Dallas Piano Solo Competition, Dallas Symphonic, DMTA Jazz Festival, at the state level in the Texas Music Teachers Association Solo Performance Competition, and McKinney Young Artist Competition.  Mrs. Gray has been awarded a Permanent Professional Certificate by the National Music Teachers Association and has been listed in Who’s Who of American Women.  She is the mother of three children, all of whom attended music conservatories and obtained degrees in piano performance.    Jenni has a Bachelor of Piano Performance from Eastman School of Music, Master of Music from the University of Texas, and Doctorate from the University of Houston.  Julie has a Bachelors and Masters of Piano Performance at Eastman School of Music and a doctorate from the University of Texas.  Justin earned a Bachelor in Piano Performance from the Juilliard School, a Masters of Music in Piano Performance from Southern Methodist University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate of Piano Performance at the University of North Texas.  Mrs. Gray enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing with her four grandchildren.  Her husband, Haskell, is owner of a consulting and representation firm for advanced computer networking.

Rebecca Chan joined the Gray School of Music after completing her Masters of Music in Piano Pedagogy at Southern Methodist University. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy, magna cum laude, from Oklahoma City University. Ms. Chan is an experienced teacher who taught in the S.M.U. Piano Preparatory School for two years as well as in Oklahoma City and Singapore. She has maintained a large studio of private students before joining the Gray School of Music where she has taught for three years. Ms. Chan also plays the drums and flute. She is an active accompanist for her church in Dallas.

Xiao-Bo Chen is the recipient of the Performer’s Certificate and holds an Artist Diploma in Piano Performance from Texas Christian University. She has taught for four years at Gray School of Music and previously at Coppell Conservatory and T.C.U. Prep where she taught students varying in age from beginners to late intermediate. She has experience in teaching all age levels, from young children through adults. Ms. Chen won the concerto competition at North Texas this year as well as second place in the TMTA State Competition. She has recently performed in Carnegie Hall in New York City as a winner of the Steinway Competition. Xiao-Bo is a candidate for a Masters in Piano Performance at University of North Texas.

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Fabiana Claure performed extensively in the United States and also in Bolivia and Cuba. Born in Chicago and raised in Bolivia, Mrs. Claure graduated with honors from the National School of Music in Havana, Cuba. After one year of further study at the Higher Institute of Arts in Havana, Claure won a Full Tate Piano Scholarship to continue her studies at the College of Charleston where she graduated cum laude. She is studying for a Masters of Music with Joaquin Achucarro at Southern Methodist University where she has a full piano scholarship. Claure won first prize in the Anaya Piano Competition in 1993, ‘Mus-Art’ Young Pianist National Competition in Bolivia in 1997,and the 2002 Fraser Young Artists Piano Competition in Columbia, S.C. In 2003 and 2004 she was awarded the Edwin Peacock Award for Excellence in Piano. In addition to her performing career, Claure has been a private teacher to both children and adults in Bolivia and the United States.

Justin Gray is a graduate of the Juilliard School in New York City where he obtained a Bachelor of Piano Performance and was a student of Gyorgy Sandor, a former pupil of Bela Bartok. He completed a Masters in Piano Performance at SMU where he was granted a full artistic scholarship. Mr. Gray has been a teaching fellow at University of North Texas where he is finishing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in piano performance in the summer, 2007. Mr. Gray has been coached by such esteemed artists as Ian Hobson, Claude Frank, Anton Nel, Jerome Lowenthal, and Jeffrey Swan. He has studied extensively with Tong-il Han, Stephen Nielson, and Dr. Donna Edwards. Mr. Gray was the Kawai Grand Prize winner in 2005 Palos Verdes Music Festival Competition in Los Angeles, and won the 1994 Kingsville International Competition, the 1995 Music Teacher’s Association Competition for Solo Piano, 1996 Grace Welsh Prize for Piano, 2004 Mid-Texas Symphony Competition, and 2004 Los Angeles Liszt Comptetition. An active teacher and performer, Mr. Gray has given frequent community performances in greater Dallas and New York City areas.

Bethanie Henderson has been teaching piano lessons for nearly 10 years. She has been substitute teaching at Gray School of Music in 2004. A native of Rockport, Texas, Henderson began studying piano in 1988. From 2000 to 2002, Bethanie attended Texas A&M University in Kingsville, Texas where she studied with Dr. Jan Bogdan Drath. Miss Henderson received her Bachelors of Music in piano performance from Southern Methodist University in 2005 where she studied with Mr. Alfred Mouledous.

Dr. Heejung Kang was born in Seoul, Korea, and studied at the Seoul Music and Art High School for musically gifted teenagers. She graduated with highest honors from the College of Music, Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul and later at the same university, she earned her Master’s Degree in Piano, receiving the Ewha Graduate Research Fellowship Scholarship. She earned a Doctorate in Musical Arts in Piano Performance at the University of North Texas, after completing her doctoral dissertation on Rachmaninoff. She is now an Adjunct Professor of Piano Studies at U.N.T. She has made a recording of the “Rediscovered Lieder and Piano Pieces by Kletzki, Oppel, and Schenker,” sponsored by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Jewish Federation, and College of Music at UNT. She has studied Schenkerian Analysis with Dr. Timothy Jackson as well as privately with Carl Schachter, distinguished professor at University of New York City. Ms. Kang is also an experienced piano teacher of both children and adults. Ms. Kang currently is preparing a recording of Oppel’s piano music.

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Lindsay Nieves graduated with her Bachelors of Music in piano performance at Southern Methodist University. At S.M.U., Lindsay was a Meadows School of Arts Scholar, earned a University Scholarship for Academics, and taught adult piano students. Miss Nieves is a native of Coppell and began her studies with Margaret Wells. Lindsay participated in World of Music, State Theory Tests, Dallas Solo, and Mountain View competitions as well as CMTA festivals in her years as a young pianist. She is currently studying with Dr. Carol Leone as she works towards a Masters at S.M.U. Miss Nieves has taught at Gray School of Music for 3 years. She enjoys being a Tri-Delt, roller-blading, and many forms of dance including ballet, tap, and jazz.

Katherine Sargent comes to us from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah where she earned a Bachelors of Music in Piano Pedagogy. She went on to earn a Masters of Music in piano performance at Southern Methodist University. Katherine was awarded several scholarships throughout her college career. As an intern at Weber State, she taught class piano for non-piano music majors. She has extensive teaching experience and has worked with students of all ages in a variety of areas including private lessons, group lessons, and music education camp. Katherine has been very involved in the Music Teachers National Association, both as a member and an officer. Of late, Katherine has become involved in doing research with smaller keyboards for smaller hands. She continues studies in piano with Dr. Carol Leone at Southern Methodist University.

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Dr. Rinna Saun received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Maryland under the instruction of Nelita True. She received her Masters of Music from Mannes College of Music in New York City where she studied with Richard Goode. She earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts from University of North Texas. She received training in the Dorothy Taubman technique as well as Abby Whiteside training. She was a teaching fellow at UNT for three years and has taught private studio lessons for 10 years. She has performed in New York, New Orleans, Interlochen, National Public Radio, and many areas of Florida. She won First Prize in the New York-Korea Times Competition, and First Prize in American Music Scholarship Association World Competition. She loves reading, traveling, and spending time with her son, Brendan.

Paula Schear has been teaching piano since 1987 and has been teaching at the Gray School of Music since 1994. After obtaining her Bachelors of Piano Performance from Fresno State in California, Mrs. Schear earned a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Performance degree from Southern Methodist University. A few of her performing achievements include overall winner of the Fresno Women’s Symphony League Concerto Competition and recipient of the Meadows School of Arts Artistic Scholarship. Schear has attended and performed in master classes in California, Texas, and Austria. An undergraduate degree in Music Education has allowed her to incorporate her conducting and vocal experiences into the teaching of piano. Mrs. Schear has attended many seminars and conventions to enrich her teaching expertise. She is listed in Who’s Who in American Women. Her husband, Nobel, is Youth and Children’s Minister at Royal Haven Baptist Church. Paula and Nobel enjoy spending time with their son, Isaac Wesley.

William Villaverde is one of the most outstanding Cuban pianists of his generation. He began his career as a pianist in Havana at an early age as a member of the National Centre of Concert Music. He was also a member of the piano faculty at the National School of Music in Havana. He has performed extensively throughout Cuba, Bolivia, and the United States. As a soloist, Mr. Villaverde has performed with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, College of Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and the S.M.U. Symphony Orchestra. Villaverde won First Prize in the 2002 Southeastern Piano Competition, the 2002 Arthur Fraser Piano Competition, MTNA Southern Division Piano Competition, and the 2004-2005 Artist Competition at S.M.U. He studied at the National School of Music and the Higher Institute of Arts in Cuba. He came to the United States under a Full Tate Piano Scholarship to study at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Villaverde entered the Masters of Music program at S.M.U. under a full piano scholarship. He studies with renowned Spanish pianist Joaquin Achucarro. William Villaverde continues to teach private students of all ages since his arrival in the United States.

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Kara Nekuza Villines has been on the faculty of the Gray School of Music since August of l998. She received a Masters in Music degree with an emphasis in Piano Performance/Pedagogy from Southern Methodist University, where she studied with Dr. David Karp. She received her Bachelors of Music-Piano Performance degree at the University of Arkansas under the study of Mr. Alan Chow. Throughout her college career, Mrs. Villines has performed in solo recitals, departmental honors recitals, and numerous master classes, as well as accompanying many soloists. Mrs. Villines completed her teaching internship by teaching private and group piano lessons for all ages at the Piano Preparatory Department at S.M.U. and at the Gray School of Music. She is a member of both Sigma Alpha Iota, the professional music fraternity for women, and Pi Kappa Lambda, the national honors fraternity in music. She is married to Kevin Villines who does work in accounting.

Margareta Wesolowska was born in Warsaw, Poland, but has lived most of her life in Sweden. She taught piano since 1989, teaching students of all ages for 5 years in Sweden before coming to the United States. She attended the University of Lund in Lund, Sweden, while performing in a touring chamber music ensemble that performed frequently in southern Sweden. In the United States, Ms. Wesolowska earned a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance, Summa cum Laude from Oklahoma City University, studying with Robert Laughlin. While at O.C.U., Wesolowska taught private lessons to pre-college and college students. She was on the President’s Honor List, a member of Phi Kappa Lambda, and was in the National Music Honor Society. Ms. Wesolowska earned a Masters in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Southern Methodist University, where she studied with Alfred Mouledous, and where she was a recipient of a Meadows Artistic Scholarship Award. She was a teacher in the SMU Piano Preparatory Department for two years teaching undergraduate class piano for music majors, as well as private and group piano lessons to pre-college students. Ms. Wesolowska is fluent in speaking, writing, and reading Swedish, Polish, and English. Her other interests include reading, history, hiking, and traveling.

Eri Yoshimura has earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy as well as Masters of Music in Performance at University of North Texas. Eri is currently completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at U.N.T. She also obtained a Bachelor of Education in Music at Shinshu University in Nagano, Japan. She is a teaching fellow at U.N.T. and has taught children for the past eight years. Ms. Yoshimura maintains a studio in Plano. Ms. Yoshimura has won the Yamaha Electrone Award for Arrangements. She was a translator for the Nagano Winter Olympics with the Newsweek crew. She enjoys playing tennis, watching movies, and playing with her dog, Dolce.

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Administrative Assistant

Tiffany Roberts graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts in Dallas. She received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice from University of Tulsa, and an Artist Certificate/Master of Music Degree in Voice from Southern Methodist University.

Ms. Roberts has performed in such operas a L’Elisir d’Amore, Gianni Schicchi, Rigoletto, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Porgy and Bess. She has sung with the New York Opera Studio, Houston Ebony Opera Guild, Amarillo Opera, Portland Opera Works, and Turtle Creek Chorale, Ft. Worth Symphony, Meadows Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of New Spain, and Orpheus Chamber Singers. She has received awards in the NATS Texoma Singer of the Year Competition, Eleanor Lieber Vocal Competition, Dallas Opera Guild Career Grant for Singers, and the 2004 John Thomas Voice Award.

Currently, Ms. Roberts is a soprano section leader/soloist at University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. This December 2005, she will sing in a group of nine Carolers in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concert series. She aspires to be a successful international opera singer and concert artist.

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Guitar Faculty

Caleb H. Best has studied guitar from the age of twelve. He was awarded a Presidential Scholarship to study classical guitar at Kilgore College under the direction of Jason Gautney. In addition to private teaching, Caleb has participated in solo and group performances throughout East and Central Texas. He has performed in Master classes with Jorge Morel, Adam Del Monte, and Ernesto Garcia de Leon. Caleb holds both a Bachelors Degree in classical guitar performance and a Masters Degree in guitar performance from Southern Methodist University where he studied with Robert Guthrie. Caleb is a fan of the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers. He enjoys playing guitar for both work and pleasure.

Vanessa Corder began playing guitar when she was six years old. She began her professional training on guitar at Collin County Community College where she studied with Sabine Madriguera. Vanessa is currently finishing her Bachelors of Music degree at Southern Methodist University under the direction of Dr. Robert Guthrie where she is the recipient of the C.S. Constance Scholarship among other financial awards. Vanessa plans to continue her education with a masters degree at SMU. She currently teaches privately as well as at Gray School of Music, and frequently performs for events such as dinner parties, weddings, and business luncheons. In July of 2006, she won second place in the Eastfield College Guitar Festival and Competition. Along with her love of music and teaching, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband and family, knitting, scrapbooking, and traveling.

Dianne Guthrie has taught guitar for the past 26 years. She received degrees from the University of Texas and the University of Memphis. Her advanced training and certification are in the Suzuki School of Music. Mrs. Guthrie has performed in master classes with Giovanni DeChiaro, Robert Guthrie, Marcelo Kayath, the Michael Newman/Laura Oltman duo, Carlo Pezzimenti, and David Tannenbaum. She studied with John Stover (University of Memphis), Tom Johnson (U.N.T.), and Robert Guthrie (S.M.U.). Mrs. Guthrie has given solo and ensemble performances in churches, schools, and universities. For 5 years, she was a member of “Rosewood,” an all-woman guitar ensemble. She co-authored the book Guitar Hymns Glorifying Him, and has led worship with guitar in many church services. Mrs. Guthrie is also an award-winning artist and metal smith. Mrs. Guthrie’s son is an Information Technology Consultant and her daughter is a Physical Therapist in Dallas. Her husband, Robert Guthrie, is a well-known guitarist and head of the guitar program at S.M.U.

Eddie Healy began his study of the classical guitar with Dr. Enric Madriguera in 1995. Mr. Healy went on to study with Tom Johnson at the University of North Texas, and received his Bachelors degree in classical guitar performance there. He earned a Masters degree in guitar performance from Southern Methodist University under the direction of Robert Guthrie. He was awarded a scholarship from the Dallas Federation of Music Clubs, and was recipient of the Alice Jones-Berding scholarship in 1995. Mr. Healy currently teaches at The University of Texas at Dallas, Eastfield College, the Preston Ridge and Central Park campuses of the Collin County Community College District, and the Gray School of Music.

Brian Marquis began his study of classical guitar with Franklin Kimlicko in Tyler, Texas, after having taught himself to play electric guitar for both his high school pop ensemble and his own “garage band.” After moving to the Dallas area and working as a computer support technician, he returned to school, obtaining scholarships to study guitar with Enric and Sabine Madriguera, Randall Nye, and Dr. Robert Guthrie. Brian is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in guitar performance at SMU and plans to continue his studies after graduation in December, 2007. Brian plays for his church and has just returned from a mission trip to Peru where he played guitar for young children.

Daniel Rodriguez taught himself to play the guitar and the bass at a very young age. He began his musical path by listening to musicians at his church, and attempting to reproduce the finger patterns and sounds he heard. With constant exposure to his brothers’ heavy metal guitar music, Mr. Rodriguez developed his natural musical ability and became an accomplished guitarist. He earned a Bachelor and a Masters of Music in Classical Guitar Performance at Southern Methodist University while studying with Robert Guthrie. Since graduating, Daniel has been teaching and performing in the Dallas area. He plays for many weddings, philanthropic events as well as rock concerts in Deep Ellum. He is currently composing music for his first solo rock CD as well as a solo classical guitar CD, which will be released soon. Mr. Rodriguez performs at Hillcrest Church in the worship band. Mr. Rodriguez enjoys volunteering in his community, weightlifting, watching movies, and visiting with his family.

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Voice Faculty

Ilana Delaney holds a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts where she studied with Virginia DuPuy. She earned a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania where she studied with Louisa Jonason.

Miss Delaney has performed many lead roles in operas including Cherubino in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, Tessa in THE GONDOLIERS, Dorabella in COSI FAN TUTTE, and Page in SLEEPING BEAUTY. She has also performed as a soloist in many oratorios, including the Durufle REQUIEM, Mozart Solemn Vespers, and Caldara STABAT MATER, among others.

Miss Delaney has been teaching private voice lessons for 7 years and enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities, but has a special fondness for working with the youngest singers. She has enjoyed performing some musical theater roles and has recently joined Helios chamber group. Miss Delaney enjoys working with children, classical singing, literature, health and fitness, and following style and fashion trends.

Miranda Newman graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. She earned a Masters in Vocal Performance at Southern Methodist University. Miranda has performed lead roles in numerous operas and other vocal works throughout her college career. She has been a guest recitalist for several groups. She has experience in teaching private voice lessons as well as teaching choir. Since 1991, Ms. Newman has received numerous awards and scholarships including the Artistic Merit Scholarship and Assistantship from SMU in 2004-06, the NATS Regional Semi-Finalist in 2003, Presidential Scholarship as well as Talent Scholarship. She is currently a vocal instructor at Brookhaven Community College as well as a voice teacher at Highland Park Middle School and Lake Highlands Middle School. Ms. Newman is also the Director of Music at Inglewood United Methodist Church in Grand Prairie. In her spare time, she enjoys her 18 month old son, John Andrew.

Margarita Roco graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance. She also obtained a Bachelor of Music, Magna cum laude, from University of the Philippines. She taught voice for three years in the Philippines before coming to the United States, and has since taught at Highland Park High School and Arlington High School as well as Gray School of Music. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society.

Miss Roco has played leads in numerous operas including Susanna in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and Casilda in THE GONDOLIERS, Dorabella in COSI FAN TUTTE, as well as many other opera productions. She has participated as a soloist in productions of the MESSIAH, STABAT MATER, CHRISTMAS CANTATA, and others. She recently won second place in the graduate women’s division of NATS auditions in Dallas.

Ms. Roco is a scholarship singer in the Lovers Lane United Methodist Sanctuary Choir. Ms. Roco is a vocal teacher at Highland Park High School. She was an opera assistant while at S.M.U.

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Tuition Rates

Our tuition rates insure that all of our students will study on high quality instruments with well educated, highly skilled, and stable teachers. A non-refundable tuition deposit of $45 per student is due at the time of re-enrollment for the 2006-2007 term. Tuition can be paid by the month or semester. Total school term has 35 lessons while 2005-6 had only 33 lessons. Please refer to the calendar for specific dates of each term.

(inside back cover)