Susan Fernandez, Soprano, holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Texas in Applied Voice/Vocal Pedagogy, and a Bachelor of Music Education Degree with all-level teaching certification from Southwest Texas State University. Ms. Fernandez has an extensive choral background, having sung throughout the United States, Switzerland and Italy. She appeared as soprano soloist with the Morris Beachy Singers in a most memorable performance in St. Peter’s Basilica  in Rome. Some of her other solo oratorio performances include Handel’s Messiah with the Austin Symphony, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, the Bach Magnificat in D, Haydn Lord Nelson Mass, Haydn Theresienmesse, Haydn Mass in Time of War, Mozart Vesperae solemnes de confessore, Beethoven Mass in C, and Beethoven Choral Fantasy in Bass Concert Hall with the Austin Symphony. Even though choral music is her first love, Ms. Fernandez has also sung the operatic roles of Suor Angelica, Papagena and Lauretta. Ms. Fernandez has sung professionally with Conspirare, the Austin Lyric Opera, Austin Choral Union Chamber Ensemble, Chorus Austin, Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble, Conductor’s Summer Institute at Southwestern University and many other organizations. She has also twice been a finalist in the National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions.

              In addition to a busy singing career, Ms. Fernandez is an Applied Voice Teacher at Austin Community College and maintains a large private Voice studio.  Her students have been accepted to major universities all over the United States including Julliard, New York University, DePaul (Chicago), Vanderbilt (Nashville), Berkley (Boston), University of Oklahoma, North Carolina School for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia School for the Performing Arts, Interlocken, Florida State, University of Denver,  North Texas, Baylor, and UT Austin to name a few. In the past 17 years she is also proud to have placed over 70 students into the Texas All-State Choirs. Ms. Fernandez also serves as an adjudicator at many levels of competitions and vocal clinician for various workshops. “While teaching my students to sing their best, I am also preparing them for

contests, college admission and scholarship auditions, college juries, recitals, stage performances, musicals (auditions and lead roles), church solos and weddings.” These endeavors often span many different genres of music. Consequently, countless former students are now singing and acting professionally throughout the United States, including New York, (Broadway and Music Theater Touring Shows), Europe and of course, Austin!

       Richard Watkins, Baritone, has taught vocal/choral music since 1959 at the secondary public school and college levels. While working on his Master's degree, he sang professionally with the Dallas Civic Opera Chorus. During the early 60's, he was the Asst. Director of the U.S. Army Air Defense Command Choral Group, which toured the U.S., functioning as a public relations, troop morale representative of the Commanding General, US Army Air Defense Command. He was stage director and musical director for 15 musicals (South Pacific, Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, and Bye Bye Birdie) involving junior high through adult casts and pit orchestra. He was a church choir director for many different denominations for over thirty years.

       His choirs won consistent superior ratings at choral competitions.  He is a member of: Texas Music Educators Association; Texas Choral Directors Association; Texas Music Adjudicators Association (Charter member), and National Association of Teachers of Singing. He is an active choral contest judge and choral clinician.

       Watkins has taught private voice, class voice, and choral ensemble (Northridge Singers 1992-2005) at Austin Community College since 1992. ACC private students have made finals at area NATS competitions. One NATS finalist is also the lead singer in an award winning rock group. Community private students have won recognition as the outstanding lead in a musical production and outstanding supporting role in a musical production.  ACC choir members have won membership in nationally selected choirs that sang at Carnegie Hall.

Dr. Richard Watkins- see website: http://home.roadrunner.com/~musictrailhead/