The West Texas Children's Chorus

Dr. Susan Brumfield is Professor of Music Education at Texas Tech University, and holds a Ph. D. in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma.  She is known throughout the United States and Europe as a clinician, consultant, author, composer, arranger and conductor of children's choirs, and is an internationally recognized Kodaly educator.  Dr. Brumfield is an author for the national series music texts, Silver Burdett Making Music, and Hal Leonard's Music Express Magazine.  Her choral music is published through Colla Voce and Hal Leonard.  Dr. Brumfield's most recent publication is Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children's Songs and Games from Scotland (Hal Leonard Publications).  Two new books on children's songs from England and Italy are forthcoming. 

Beth Berridge is Education Director and Associate Director of the West Texas Children’s Chorus. She has been with the chorus since 2007. Mrs. Berridge received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Texas Tech University. She earned her OAKE certification from the University of North Texas under Dr. Jill Trinka and Dr. Susan Brumfield. She has served as a member of the faculty of the West Texas Kodaly Initiative since 2005. Mrs. Berridge also enjoys her daily duties as a wife and a mother of three, as well as teaching music at Bozeman Elementary in Lubbock, Texas.

Donna Devane has been on staff with the West Texas Children's Chorus since 2004. Currently, she serves as an Associate Director, co-directs singers from grades three to five in the Apprentice Choir, and teaches both elementary and middle-school musicianship classes.  Mrs. Devane holds bachelor’s and master's degrees in music education from Texas Tech University. She is currently working toward OAKE certification and has completed four levels of coursework at the West Texas Kodály Initiative.  From 2006-08, Donna worked for the Lubbock Independent School District as a music specialist, teaching general music to kindergarten through fifth-grade students

Kimberly Hooper, originally from Ingleside, Texas, attended Del Mar College and graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She has played French horn with Roswell and Lubbock Symphony Orchestras and taught private horn lessons.  She has also taught middle school band and elementary music for Frenship ISD and Lubbock ISD, respectively.  Mrs. Hooper is certified through the Organization of American Kodaly Educators and has had students participate in the organization’s National Children’s Choir.  She is currently teaching pre-school music part-time and raising her three beautiful children with her husband Troy, a professor at TTUHSC. 

Prior to pursuing his Ph.D. in Music Education, Daniel Todd taught choir at J.T. Hutchinson Middle School in Lubbock, Texas for six years. Mr. Todd has Music Education degrees from Texas Tech University and Kodály training from the West Texas Kodály Initiative. He is an assistant conductor with the West Texas Children’s Chorus, which has performed for TMEA and as a featured choir in Carnegie Hall. In addition to state and national conference presentations, Todd’s Cantare Treble Choir was invited to perform at the 2008 OAKE National Conference. Daniel has performed in Carnegie Hall with the Texas Tech University Choir and was a featured tenor soloist in Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.

Kristin King is the business manager for the West Texas Children's Chorus and has been working with the organization since August 2007.  She earned her bachelor of music degree, as well as an MBA from Texas Tech University.  During her time as a music student, she played the clarinet in various performance ensembles.

(ON LEAVE) April Tryon is in her eighth year of teaching elementary music and is currently the music teacher at Centennial Elementary.  April received her undergraduate degree at Lubbock Christian University and her master's degree at Texas Tech University, both in music education.  April is also an adjunct professor at Lubbock Christian University.  Ms. Tryon has been trained in the Kodaly method and uses that training to enrich the musical lives of her students both at the elementary and college levels.

(ON LEAVE)  Beverly Fleming has been with the West Texas Children's Chorus since its inception in 2002. She is currently a music specialist in Lubbock ISD at Murfee Elementary school.   Her honor choirs have been selected to perform at various civic events around the city of Lubbock and her students have performed in the National Children's Chorus through the Organization of American Kodaly Educators (OAKE).  Beverly received her music degree from Illinois State University where she studied flute performance.  Ms. Fleming is finalizing her Kodaly certification with the West Texas Kodaly Initiative in Lubbock.  She has completed four levels of advanced studies on Kodaly methods at the University of North Texas.  In 2003, Ms. Fleming was named Music Teacher of the Year in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.

Molly Dye is a native of Lubbock, and is in her fourth year at Texas Tech University.  She is studying to receive her bachelor’s degree in music education.  Ms. Dye’s principal instrument is flute, however, she also enjoys singing.  She has been a member of various performing instrumental ensembles at Texas Tech, as well as the Women’s Chorale.  She loves working with children and is extremely excited about her future as a music educator!

Lauren Moore has been with the West Texas Children’s Chorus since 2010. Currently, she assists with the Concert Choir and teaches a middle school musicianship class. Lauren is a senior at Texas Tech University and is majoring in music education. Ms. Moore is a vocalist, and she has sung with the Texas Tech Women’s Chorale throughout her time at Tech. This semester, she is student teaching at Murfee Elementary and Irons Middle School.

Shelley Potter, originally from Birmingham, AL, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama where she studied Flute Performance.  During her time at Alabama, she performed in several master classes for guest artists, placed in many competitions, and was the woodwind division winner for the state of Alabama in the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition.  She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Music Education with post-baccalaureate certification at Texas Tech University, and holds a graduate teaching assistantship.