| Texas Youth Orchestra |
Meet the Directors
Deborah Perkins, Ph. D., currently teaches string pedagogy and techniques at Southern Methodist University and does free-lance consulting work in the area of string education. She earned a bachelor of music degree from SUNY Potsdam, New York (Crane School of Music), a master's degree from the University of South Carolina, and a Ph. D. from the University of North Texas.
Before moving to Texas in 1989, Dr. Perkins taught and built string programs in South Carolina and in Florida and throughout her career, her groups received consistent "sweepstakes" ratings and invitations to perform for special occasions. She also taught string methods at UNT, Florida Atlantic University and was the first master teacher for the University of South Carolina String Project. Most recently she has become the director emeritus for CTYO "Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra's" Elementary Strings Program- an after school string program which precipitated the establishment of two public school orchestra programs- in McKinney and Lovejoy ISD's. Dr. Perkins has guest conducted numerous honor orchestras, adjudicated festivals and presented clinics locally and throughout the United States.
Dr. Perkins' love of travel started early - at the age of 7 when she took her first airplane ride to see relatives. At age 17, she traveled solo to Europe to visit her brother. Her first teaching job involved assisting a high school orchestra on a 23 day European concert tour and she has been traveling ever since. Through the years, she has traveled with youth groups- and has taken various orchestras to Mexico, Europe and China. In July 2005, she and Desiree Overree co-founded and directed the Texas Youth Orchestra's very successful tour of Italy and Austria. "It is a privilege to make music and see the world through the young traveler's eyes." She is married to Steve Perkins and they have one daughter, Kayla who already loves to travel.
Lynne Jackson is currently in her 41st year as a music educator. She has degrees from the University of Michigan and Vandercook College of Music. Ms. Jackson serves as an adjunct assistant professor in music education at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. She also teaches part-time instrumental music classes in the Berkner Area, Richardson ISD.
In 1995, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded Ms. Jackson a grant to study Mozart in Vienna, Austria and Prague, Czech Republic. Since that time, Ms. Jackson has traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America and Canada.
She has accompanied students to New York City on three occasions for performances at the famed Carnegie Hall. Lynne has also traveled and performed with students in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany.
In 1983, Ms. Jackson was selected as the Richardson ISD Teacher of the Year. This past summer, Lynne received the 2010 Meritorious Achievement Award from the Texas Bandmasters Association. She is also a lifetime honorary member of the PTA. Ms. Jackson's professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, an honorary band director fraternity, Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. Lynne is widely known throughout Texas as an adjudicator, clinician and mentor to young students and teachers. Ms. Jackson is very excited to combine her passions for music, teaching and travel as a staff member for the 2009 TYO/Wind Ensemble tour.
Penny Meitz, St. John’s School, Houston
Penelope (Penny) Meitz teaches at St. John’s School, Houston, where she conducts string ensembles from the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. She also teaches beginning and intermediate level string classes at St. John’s. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and her Master of Music degree in Viola Performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.
Ms. Meitz began her teaching career in Michigan, working for seven years at Northern High School in Portage, Michigan. She moved to Texas in 1980, and has taught in Pasadena, Houston, Spring Branch and Fort Bend Independent School Districts. Over her long career as a public school Orchestra Director, Ms. Meitz’s orchestras have consistently won Sweepstakes awards in UIL competitions. The Clements Symphony Orchestra was a featured orchestra at the Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference, in 2000, and was selected TMEA High School Symphony Honor Orchestra in 2001-2002.
She has had extensive performing experience as a violist with the Houston Ballet Orchestra as well as Houston Grand Opera and numerous freelance ensembles. Ms. Meitz also maintains an active private viola and violin studio, assisting a number of students in achieving membership in TMEA All State Orchestras.
Ms. Meitz has been the conductor of the Greater Houston Youth Orchestra String Ensemble, the GHYO Philharmonic, and the Bay Area Youth Symphony. Ms. Meitz is a frequent clinician for All-Region Orchestras throughout Texas. Her conducting teachers include Elizabeth Green and Samuel Jones. Ms. Meitz served on the board of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association from 1997 - 2002.
Ms. Meitz’s first trip with students was with the South Houston High School Choir on a tour of the British Isles. Throughout the years, her travels have taken her to Italy, France, Austria, Germany, and Cuba. Ms. Meitz was raised in Royal Oak, Michigan. In her spare time she enjoys yoga, gardening, reading and cooking. She lives in Houston with her husband, Mike Mason.
Amber Evans, Robinson Middle School, Plano
Amber Evans has taught choir at Robinson Middle School in Plano ISD since 2007 where her groups have been consistent sweepstakes winners. She has a Bachelor of Music Degree from Millikin University in Decatur, IL where she was the Millikin Young Artist for Cello and a concerto contest winner for voice! In addition, she performed at ACDA (American Choir Directors Association) with the Milliken University Choir in 2007.
Amber discovered early on that she loved to travel when she went to Florida with her family at the age of four. She has since has traveled with choirs 17 times as a student! Her travels have taken her all over the United States(35/50 states), Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and France.
Albert Torres, Coppell High School, Coppell
Alberto Torres is in his second year at Coppell High School and first year as the Head Choral Director. He conducts the A Cappella Choir, Kantorei, Varsity Women, Madrigal Singers and Vivace. Albert also assists with the Freshman Men's Choir, Concert Women, and Freshman Women's Choir. Choirs under his direction and co-direction have consistently earned Sweepstakes at University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. In the 2009 Mr. Torres received a PTA Life Time Membership Award while director at Barbara Bush Middle School.
Mr. Torres believes in a well-rounded musical experience and lends his talents too many other programs and venues outside of Coppell High School. Albert is very active as an accompanist. Highlights include acting accompanist for TMEA Region XX, III, IV, and XXV. He currently serves as cantor, assistant director and staff organist at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Dallas, TX. In the summer of 2012 Mr. Torres will be serving as the director of choral activities to collaboratively perform with Texas Youth Orchestra on a 17-day tour of the British Isles.
Albert Torres is a graduate from East Texas State University where he received a Bachelor of Music degree with a double major emphasis in Vocal Performance/Choral Conducting and Collaborative Piano. While at East Texas, he studied conducting and music education with Mr. Bill Gorham and Dr. Jeff Emge and voice with Mrs. Dee Ann Gorham and Mr. Bill Gorham. Piano studies were with Dr. Aurora Dokken and Mr. Ken Frerichs. After attending the AP Summer Institute at TCU this past July, Mr. Torres is AP Music Theory certified.
Mr. Torres' professional affiliations include ACDA, TCDA, TMEA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinphonia. Albert resides in Dallas, TX.
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