In Episode 8, we feature Jacob Cantu, A MACSA voice instructor, an accomplished music educator, and performer with a career spanning over four decades. Currently serving as the Choir Director for the Vigil Choir at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Jacob has also directed choirs and taught music at St. Jose Sanchez Del Rio Catholic School and St. Mary’s University, where he produced and directed operas and musicals. Jacob’s impressive vocal training includes studies under esteemed teachers such as Herald Stark, Spiro Malas, and Sam Sakarian, along with coaching from Met Opera’s Joan Donerman. His performance career has taken him to New York, Connecticut, and across Texas, appearing with groups such as the Texas Bach Choir, San Antonio Opera, and San Antonio’s Three Tenors. Jacob is also known for his work with Opera in the Schools, bringing the magic of opera to young audiences in South Texas. ✨ Tune in to hear Jacob’s journey through music, teaching, and performance.

🙏 Special Thanks: Jacob Cantu extends his gratitude to the mentors, colleagues, and friends who have supported and inspired him throughout his career: Harold Stark Bess Hieronymus Sam Sakarian George Cortes Leroy Yarbrough Spiro Malas David Blackburn Dan Long Evelyn Troxler Jeff Troxler Mark Richter Burt Neely Jean White Ruth Payne John Moore Jan Schmidt Joey Martin Mary Rita Partlow Edith Ortega

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🎙️ Journeys: A MACSA Podcast – Episode 7 with Clarisa De la Garza 🎶 In Episode 7, we feature Clarisa De la Garza, a passionate clarinetist, composer, and educator. With degrees in music performance from UTRGV and UTSA, Clarisa has won multiple concerto competitions and performed on prestigious stages. Her diverse expertise spans teaching, composing, music research, and championing underrepresented composers. ✨ Tune in to explore her journey, her love for music, and her creative projects.

🎵 Interested in lessons with Clarisa De la Garza? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.co...

📢 Check out Clarisa’s compositions and performances on Youtube @clarisadelagarza6577 🎵 Sonata No. 1 Eventide 🎵 5 Spatial Abstractions 🎵 Impromptu on a D-Flat 7 🎵 Rhapsody No. 1 "Impressions" 🎵 Lost in Reverie – Clarinet Choir 🎵 Rhapsody No. 1 "Impressions" (Solo with Electronics)

🌐 Learn more about Clarisa and her work: cdelagarzamusic.com

🙏 Special Thanks: Clarisa would like to thank the following individuals who have shaped her musical sphere of influence with their encouragement, knowledge, and endless, contagious love for the art of music: Dr. Bill O'Neil – Private Lesson Teacher and Clarinet Professor at UTRGV Dr. Nicholas Councilor – Clarinet Professor at UTSA Dr. Stacey Davis – Music Theory and Theory Pedagogy Professor at UTSA Dr. Ethan Wickman and Professor James Syler – Composition Professors at UTSA Dr. Shoko Kinsella – Piano Lesson Professor at UTRGV Dr. Saul Torres – Conducting Lesson Professor at UTRGV Dr. Justin Writer – Composition Lesson Professor at UTRGV And of course, her parents, Leticia Rodriguez and Eddie De la Garza, for their unending love and support.

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🎙️Journeys: A MACSA Podcast | Episode 5 Featuring Dr. Ivan Hurd In this episode of Journeys: A MACSA Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ivan Hurd, Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Coordinator of Class Piano at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Hurd teaches piano pedagogy, piano literature, applied piano lessons, and coordinates the university’s class piano program. With degrees in Piano Performance from Eastern Michigan University (M.M.), the University of Iowa (B.M.), and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Hurd shares his incredible journey through music. His major teachers include esteemed educators such as Dr. Jane Magrath, Dr. Barbara Fast, Dr. Joel Schoenhals, and Dr. Réne Lecuona. Dr. Hurd’s performance career is equally impressive, with notable performances at the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, in the renowned Haydnsaal at the Esterházy Palace. He has also competed for the prestigious Rosamond P. Haeberle Memorial Piano Award and has presented at national conferences such as MTNA, GP3, NCKP, and the CFMTA conference in Winnipeg, Canada. Outside of teaching and performing, Dr. Hurd enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. We hope you enjoy hearing about his rich and diverse journey in music education and performance. Special Thanks From Dr. Ivan Hurd: Marie Barta (First teacher) Cathy Alcock (High school teacher) Russ Kramer (High school band director) William Backlin (Teacher at North Iowa Area Community College) Dr. Réne Lecuona (Applied professor at the University of Iowa) Dr. Alan Huckleberry (Pedagogy professor at the University of Iowa) Dr. Joel Schoenhals (Applied professor at Eastern Michigan University) Dr. Gary Pedersen (Pedagogy professor at Eastern Michigan University) Dr. Jane Magrath (Applied professor at the University of Oklahoma) Dr. Barbara Fast (Pedagogy professor at the University of Oklahoma) Dr. Kasandra Keeling (UTSA colleague and mentor) Kenneth Thompson (MACSA mentor and coach) Lastly, Dr. Hurd would like to thank his parents, Ivan Hurd Jr. and Rhonda Hurd, and his sister, Ashlee Madole, for their continued love and support.

🎵 Interested in lessons with Dr. Hurd? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.co...

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