The Kinder HSPVA Vocal Music Department continues to grow as an ambitious, student-centered program. Students are building a strong foundation in classical music while exploring new styles and repertoire. In the Department’s inaugural Songwriting Showcase, students shared original music and lyrics that reflected their own artistic voices and experiences. Alumna Alexandria DeWalt (Instrumental ’17) returned to campus for her second year as an artist-in-residence, giving Vocal Jazz students the opportunity to learn from a working professional.
These experiences are possible because of your support of HSPVA Friends. You fund the adjunct faculty, accompanists, guest artists, and concert logistics that keep Kinder HSPVA singers at the top of their field.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE PROGRAMS YOU MADE POSSIBLE THIS YEAR WITH YOUR GIFTS:
- Acting for Singers and Musical Theatre Coaching with Annie Wild
- Pop Show choreography and Dancing for Singers with Brooke Barnes-Meeks (Dance ’97)
- Voice instruction with Ashley Támar Davis ’98, Marion Dickson, Cassi Gardner, Stephen Hudson ’05, and Jacob Shideler
- Vocal Jazz Residency with Alexandria DeWalt (Instrumental ’17)
- Handbells with Sandra Williams
- Piano lab instruction and Music Theory with Katherine Shupe
- Collaborative pianists for concerts, senior recitals, and juries
- The department’s own djembe for performances requiring percussion
- Professional program printing and concert videography
- Sheet music (A LOT of sheet music!) for all ensembles
- Annual subscription to Sight Reading Factory
YOUR IMPACT IS CLEAR FROM THESE OUTSTANDING STUDENT SUCCESSES:
- The national YoungArts competition recognized Lark Perry ’26 and Gabriel Magallón ’26 for Classical Voice, and Iyana Ragston ’26 for Popular Voice.
- 19 students sang with the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 23 Choir. These students advanced to Pre-Area, the penultimate round of the Texas All-State Choir auditions. Ultimately, Eyoab Ashagari ’26, Sinhurah Paruchuri ’27, Eleanor Nelson ’26, Gavin Waddy ’28, and Dinah Washington ’27 earned spots in the Mixed and Treble choirs.
- Gabriel Magallón ’26 received 1st Place in the Schmidt Vocal Arts Competition’s Texas Region. Clara Maya White ’27 received 3rd Place for New Orleans. Liam Norton ’26 received 3rd Place and Sarah Vanlandingham ’26 was a finalist for Tennessee.
- Sarah Vanlandingham ’26 received 1st Place in the Houston Masterworks Chorus Young Singer Competition.
GUEST ARTIST MASTER CLASSES
Ashley Támar Davis ’98 (pictured below, middle left) and Tony Glover ’87 taught a musical theatre master class ahead of their performances in Broadway On the Hill at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Dr. Kimberly Monzón and Dr. Morgan Manifacier from Baylor worked with Level 4 singers refining their classical technique.
Dr. Tyler Nelson from Vanderbilt taught a master class on efficient, supported singing in both classical and musical theatre technique. Three vocalists from the class of 2025 are currently singing at Vanderbilt!
YOUR SUPPORT PROVIDED MORE SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS INCLUDING:
- Dr. David Kirkwood and Mr. Angel Romero from Houston Christian University
- Dr. Gregory Brookes from Texas Tech University
- Dr. Carlos Enrique Santelli from UT Austin
- Kate Kortum (Instrumental ’19) and Tyler Henderson (Instrumental ’19)
- Dr. Thomas Goedecke ’09 from University of Hawaii
WATCH: CHORALE PERFORM “WITNESS” ARRANGED BY JACK HALLORAN
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2026!
