Chandler Dean (Theatre ’14) is the creator and host of “Abolish Everything!,” a comedy debate series on Nebula that has quickly become the platform’s most‑watched original. It was recently renewed for a second season.
Paul Cornish (Instrumental ’14) signed with jazz label Blue Note Records in January and plans to release his debut album, You’re Exaggerating!, on August 22. Check out his single, “Palindrome.”
Peter Broz (Visual Arts ’09) showcased his latest exhibition, Out of Touch in the Wild, at BOX 13 ArtSpace in Houston. See what Peter had to say about his exhibit.
Chandler Dean (Theatre ’14)
Paul Cornish (Instrumental ’14)
Peter Broz (Visual Arts ’09)
Keaton Brown (Vocal ’17) was selected to the 2025 Mary Ragland Emerging Artist Program at the Nashville Opera, as well as the 2024-2025 DACAMERA of Houston Young Artist Program.
Joy Yvonne Jones (Theatre ’10) was featured on Theatre Corner, a national interview series spotlighting diversity in the arts. In her segment—which starts at 14:15—she reflects on her creative journey, including her time at HSPVA.
Warren Sneed (Instrumental ’78), former Kinder HSPVA Director of Jazz Studies, was inducted into the Texas Jazz Educators Association Hall of Fame.
The Texas Music Educators Association Conference is always a mini-HSPVA reunion! This year, Robert Gibson (Vocal ’07) presented “Melodies from the Heart: Gospel Warm-Ups for Choir,” and Dr. A. Jan Taylor (Vocal ’74) presented “Applying Resilience: One of the Four Pillars of Leadership.”
Alexis Beffer (Dance ’15) is an Assistant Professor of Dance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She is a working dancer, choreographer, and master class teacher and recently guest taught at Harvard.
Roby Attal (Theatre ’13) has recently appeared in recurring television roles such as Brian Moser in Dexter: Original Sin on Showtime, Cooper in The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO Max, and Morrie in Lady in the Lake on Apple TV. He is also the titular character in Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” music video.
Tamarie Cooper (Dance ’87) premiered Another Ding-Dang Tamarie Show—the 29th in her series of original summer musicals—at MATCH Houston. The show runs through August 2.
Christopher Cascio (Visual Arts ’95) opened Portals, a solo exhibition at Ivester Contemporary in Austin, featuring a decade of his paintings, textiles, and collages. Cascio is an Assistant Professor of Studio Art at Sam Houston State University.
Joy Yvonne Jones (Theatre ’10)
Alexis Beffer (Dance ’15)
Roby Attal (Theatre ’13)
Mark Seliger (Media Arts ’77) photographed supermodel Anna Bayle for the June 2025 cover of Vogue Philippines. Read more about the photo shoot and Seliger’s process.
Jhardon DiShon Milton (Theatre ’09) starred in the National Black Theatre’s Sweetwater: The Gospel of Iman at La MaMa in New York City. Milton’s credits include Tina and A Bronx Tale on Broadway and the national tour of Company.
Isabella Byrd (Theatre ’05) was nominated for Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play at the 2025 Drama Desk Awards for Glass. Kill. What If If Only. Imp. Her recent work includes Tony-nominated designs for Cabaret and An Enemy of the People.
Samantha Williams (Theatre ’16) stars as Mabel in Pirates! The Penzance Musical, a jazz-infused reimagining of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic now running on Broadway through July 27. Her other credits include Dear Evan Hansen and Caroline, or Change on Broadway.
Major Johnson (Vocal ’02) was nominated for two Stellar Gospel Music Awards for his single “I Prayed For You”: Song of the Year and Performance of the Year.
Walter Smith III (Instrumental ’98), Jason Moran (Instrumental ’93) and Kendrick Scott (Instrumental ’98) will perform together in the DACAMERA series concert Walter Smith III Quartet—Three of Us Are From Houston, Reuben Is Not at the Wortham Theater Center’s Cullen Theater on October 17.
Mark Seliger (Media Arts ’77)
Jhardon DiShon Milton (Theatre ’09)
Samantha Williams (Theatre ’16)
Darlesia Cearcy (Theatre ’89) starred as Lucille Wilson in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. Read about Cearcy and her role as Louis Armstrong’s wife.
Kate Kortum (Instrumental ’19) will debut her second album, Wild Woman, this fall. Kortum will perform songs from Wild Woman as part of the Hobby Center’s Live at the Founders Club series in April. Listen to her recent single “Love Me or Leave Me.”
Tay Powers (Instrumental ’08) is the founder of Studio Eight08, a gallery and event space in Downtown Houston. Read about how DJing at HSPVA helped launch Powers’ career.
Kimberly Peeler Callaway (Theatre ’99) wrote and directed the comedic short film Mildred 4 a Million, starring Brie Eley (Theatre ’99). The film premiered in Houston and has screened at festivals including Raindance and the LA Comedy Film Festival.
Anthony Glover (Vocal ’87), Ashley Támar (Vocal ’98), DeQuina Moore (Theatre ’98), Jennafer Newberry (Vocal ’04), and Jarvis B. Manning Jr. (Vocal ’05) will perform at “Broadway on the Hill” at Miller Outdoor Theatre on August 29th.
Hannah Jones (Vocal ’18) is a member of the New York Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Program. In the upcoming season, she will be performing as Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly and Annina in La Traviata.
Darlesia Cearcy (Theatre ’89)
Kate Kortum (Instrumental ’19)
Tay Powers (Instrumental ’09)
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