Posts

Showing posts from November, 2017

Cristian Cantu: a new face to SACC!

Image
Today's Singer Spotlight is on Cristian Cantu, a new tenor to SACC!  Tell us about yourself, Cristian! It’s a long and complicated track to follow, but I was born in Monterrey, Mexico, moved to Baltimore, MD when I was 3, and stayed there until my undergrad. I lived in Columbus, GA for 5 years and now I’m in Austin, TX studying at UT for my master's degree! But I have a secret desire to run back to the Northeast one day. I was originally a horn player at The Baltimore School for the Arts and at my alma mater, Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. I studied with  Phil Hooks ( MD local teacher and hero ), Karen Bakkegard ( Baltimore Opera ), Phil Munds ( Baltimore Symphony ), and Anna Dodd ( Atlanta Opera ) and I  performed with the   Springer Opera House Orchestra ,   Columbus Symphony Orchestra ,   LaGrange Symphony Orchestra , and in a side-by-side performance with the   Baltimore Symphony Orchestra .  While approaching my senior year at Columbus State Univer

The Spotlight's on LaDawn Petersen!

Image
Next up in our Singer Spotlight series is LaDawn Petersen who has sung with SACC off and on since the founding of the ensemble!  Come hear LaDawn in person at our The Mystery of Christmas concert on Dec. 16 and 17! Tell us about yourself, LaDawn! I grew up with a large family in the Rocky Mountain West (mainly in Colorado), the third of seven children. My dad was a geologist but is retired now.  My mom had the momentous task of being a stay-at-home mom for seven crazy people and I suppose really never gets to retire. They currently live in Utah.  I earned my Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Brigham Young University-Provo and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Texas at San Antonio and I have performed extensively on the stage and in the concert hall.  I previously held faculty positions at both Brigham Young University-Idaho and Armstrong Atlantic University and I'm currently serving as an Adjunct Professor in voice at the Univ

SACC is thankful for Michael Zuniga, our next Singer Spotlight!

Image
We hope everyone in our extended SACC family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We are so thankful for our director, our board, our singers, our audience, our generous donors, and YOU!  Thank you for being with us in our musical journey! Our next Singer Spotlight goes to Michael Zuniga, baritone!  Michael has been performing with SACC for 7 seasons and we are happy to welcome him back for our The Mystery of Christmas concert on December 16 and 17! Tell us about yourself, Michael! I'm from San Antonio and received my education from Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at San Antonio, after which I began teaching in the classroom - working with public schools, parochial schools, and non-profit organizations.  I served as the music director for the SA Youth Center, providing them with scholarships and grants via the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, and provided lessons for all of their students. I've also served as a clinician for most of the school districts

Donate to SACC on #GivingTuesday and help bring choral music to San Antonio!

Image
We’re so excited to be part of #GivingTuesday , a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of  individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity  worldwide. Occurring this year on November 28th, #GivingTuesday is held annually in the US on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday giving season and to inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities. Through your support, we're able to provide beautiful choral music to San Antonio as well as our " All-State for ALL" Choir Camp , a summer camp open to all high school students providing world-class vocal and choral training at an affordable price! This year, we at SACC challenge you  once more to support us during #GivingTuesday. Here’s how you can make a difference : At any point between 12:00am to 11:59pm on November 28th, go to our websit

Singer Spotlight on Christian Stevens!

Image
Up next in our SACC Singer Spotlights is Christian Stevens, a very talented bass who will be joining us on our upcoming concert, The Mystery of Christmas !  This December marks one year of Christian singing with SACC. Tell us about yourself, Christian! I was born in Rochester, NY, and moved to Maine when I was around 8 years old. After having lived there for some time, we decided to move to San Antonio due to my father getting a job here last year. I finished high school at Winston Churchill High School and I am in the middle of a half-gap year and plan on taking college classes next semester. My father plays piano and my mother paints so I had a lot of influence to pursue the arts from them. I currently also hold an internship with St. John’s Lutheran Church, so I’m thankfully keeping vocally active. I’ve been singing ever since I could join a choir, but I never really discovered my true passion for it until I found classical music in my sophomore and junior years of high

Our first SACC Singer Spotlight: Kay Sherrill!

Image
SACC is delighted to have Kay Sherrill join us again for our upcoming December concert, The Mystery of Christmas !  Kay is a founding member and board member of SACC so this year marks her 14th season with the ensemble!  Let's learn more about Kay! Tell us about yourself, Kay! I've lived in New Braunfels for 20 years but I grew up in San Angelo.  I begged my parents for years for piano lessons and finally started taking lessons when I was about 10 years old. I always loved to sing and am grateful that my Junior High choir director gave us tons of renaissance music. I majored in piano for my Bachelor's degree in Music Education at Abilene Christian University.  I got a job teaching elementary school in Mesquite ISD but I missed choir too much so my 2nd year of teaching I moved to Middle School. After getting my Masters degree from Texas State University, I taught my first high school job at Reagan HS in Austin, Texas.  I also taught in San Angelo and Round Rock and I