Bridges Academy - Music Teachers

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Piano Teachers
Barbara Bamberg has over 34 years of teaching experience as well as extensive performing experience as soloist, accompanist, and recording artist. She holds a MBE from Texas Weslayan University.

Molly Hammond has degrees from UT-Austin and the University of Colorado in piano performance. She has taught students of all ages and levels for over 18 years. Ms. Hammond has performed all over the world and is Past President of Houston Music Teachers Association.

Jasmine Hatem is an experienced teacher of students whose ages and levels vary greatly. She is a graduate of the College-Conservatory ofUniversity of Cincinnati, the University of Houston's Moores School of Music and is currently studying at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music.

Leah King is a certified church musician and holds a Master of Liberal Arts. She has over 20 years teaching experience with students of all ages, talents and levels. She directs all the children’s choirs at St. Luke’s UMC.

 

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. 

 

Voice Teachers

 

Sid Davis is the Director of Music and Fine Arts at St. Luke’s UMC. He is a published composer and arranger, and a Melodious Accord Fellow, studying with Alice Parker. He holds a degree from the Hurley School of Music at Centenary College and did graduate work at University of North Texas.

 

Monica Griffin is the Associate Director of Bridges. She received her degree from The University of Texas in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. Her experience includes private and group teaching of all ages, as well as vocal directing musical theatre.

 

 

 

 

Anne Heath-Welch graduated from Centenary College with a bachelor's degree in Voice and also holds a master's degree in Voice from the University of Texas. She recently relocated to Houston from Europe after a 20-year career as a professional dramatic soprano. She is an active voice teacher, having taught at Southwestern University at Georgetown, University of Texas - Austin, and currently Sam Houston State University.

Beverly Laubach is Director of Bridges Academy & Associate Director of Music at St. Luke’s. She holds a B.M. and M.M. in Vocal Performance from UT Austin & has done doctoral work at Arizona State and UH. Mrs. Laubach has 25 years teaching experience at UTEP, SHSU, North Harris College and as a private teacher.

Ana Treviño-Godfrey has a BM from the Cleveland Institute of Music and MM and DMA degrees from Rice University. She is a core member of the Mercury Baroque Ensemble and has taught at Rice University and Houston Community College.

Strings

Aaron Bielish (violin/viola) holds a B.M from The University of Calgary and M.M. from Rice University. He performs with Orchestra X, the Victoria Symphony, Mercury Baroque Ensemble and the Bayou City Chamber Orchestra.

Jonathan Godfrey (violin) is a core player with the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra & Mercury Baroque Ensemble. He also plays with the Houston Symphony & Houston Ballet Orchestra. Mr. Godfrey holds a B.M. from Cleveland Institute of Music and a M.M. from Rice University.

John Edward Ross (guitar) has performed professionally as a jazz, rock, classical and folk musician. He has eleven years of teaching experience and teaches students of all ages and levels.

Steven Wiggs (cello) plays with the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and the Houston Ballet. He was principal cellist for the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra. He has a performance degree from the University of Kentucky and has much experience teaching students of all ages.

Marcello Zigaran (cello) studied cello performance and pedagogy at the National Conservatory of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since coming to the United States in 1995, he received masters degrees in cello and composition from the Kansas City Conservatory and a DMA from the Moores School at the University of Houston. He has played professionally with orchestras in Argentina, Missouri and Texas. As a soloist, he has performed in US, Europe and is often invited to perform and teach Master classes in South America.

Winds

Patrice Moeling (flute) is working on her Doctorate of Music at the University of Kansas; she holds a M.M. from Wichita State University. She has taught students of all ages for many years, including college students at Wichita State and Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.

Kristell Nelson (clarinet / saxophone) has extensive teaching, conducting, and performing experience in Texas and Maryland. She received a bachelor's degree from Lamar University in Beaumont and also studied conducting and ensemble performance at George Mason University in Virginia. She currently directs band at Parker Elementary in the Houston Independent School District.

Percussion

Brian Bell is a Houston native and recently returned from the Los Angeles area, where he studied percussion at the LA Music Academy. He is skilled at many different drumming styles on various percussion instruments. In addition to teaching, Mr. Bell plays in Rooster Crow, an original rock fusion band.

Outreach - Music in our Schools

Brian Bell - see biography and photo above. Mr. Bell teaches African percussion at Field and Travis Elementary Schools in the Heights.

 

Karol Bennett - Ms. Bennett teaches choir classes at Benbrook, Gallegos, and Helms Elementary Schools.

 

Sid Davis - see biography and photo above. Mr. Davis teaches choir classes at Briarmeadow Elementary School.

 

Ana Trevino-Godfrey - see biography and photo above. Mrs. Trevino-Godfrey teaches choir classes at Burnet, Briscoe, and Alcott Elementary Schools

 

Mitzi Scott - Mrs. Scott teaches choir classes at Briarmeadow Elementary School.

 

 

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