Directors
Clorese Porter
|
Reza Azizi
|
Accompanist
Jim Wilson
Jim has been an active member of the Dallas-Fort Worth music community for the last thirty years, and is excited to begin his fourth year accompanying the PSHS choirs! He currently serves as the pianist at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, and is the full-time accompanist for the Children's Chorus of Collin County and the choral programs at Plano Senior HS, Frisco Centennial HS, and several middle schools. A sought-after musician, Jim has served as the pianist for nationally-recognized events and groups, including the 2018 and 2019 Texas Small School All-State Choirs and the 2016-2019 Missouri State University Choral Institutes. He plays keyboards for the band Boomtown, performs with several local jazz and cover bands, and works nationally as a pianist with vocalists and instrumentalists.
Jim received a BS degree from Texas Christian University and an MS degree from the University of Arizona and is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association.
Jim received a BS degree from Texas Christian University and an MS degree from the University of Arizona and is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association.
Voice Teacher
Raul Escalona
Raul Escalona, baritone, was born and raised in Miami, FL. He received his undergraduate degree from Florida Gulf Coast University where he performed many times in both school and community performances. Mr. Escalona has worked with and participated in masterclasses with soprano Patricia Racette, accompanist to the stars Warren Jones, modern song composer Lori Laitman and many others. Roles include Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Pooh Bah in The Mikado, the title role in Sweeney Todd, Olin Blitch in Susannah and Papageno in The Magic Flute. He has also been a soloist in many concert works including the Schubert Mass in G, Ralph Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs, Haydn’s Mass in Time of War and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. In 2012, he attended the Music Theater Bavaria summer program where he sang scenes and arias in different venues around southern Germany and had the opportunity to study with Mignon Dunn. He received his master’s degree in Vocal Performance at Southern Methodist University where he studied with heldentenor Clifton Forbis. During his time at SMU he also participated in musical theatre performances in the DFW area most notably at the Watertower Theatre in Addison. Mr.Escalona currently teaches voice at the prestigious Booker T Washington High School in downtown Dallas and at Plano Senior and Vines High School. Mr.Escalona has taught voice to all age groups, from elementary to university level students and enjoys teaching different styles of music including classical, musical theatre and pop.
MeLisa Feledichuk
MeLisa Feledichuk graduated from Sam Houston State University with studies in music education and vocal performance. She sang professionally in Canada for eight years as a soloists, as well as a chorister. In 2002, she moved back to Texas to begin her teaching career with Plano ISD. She continued her professional singing career with the Texas Voices, the Dallas Symphony Chorus and is frequently commissioned as soprano soloist with churches in the Metroplex.
After ten years in the classroom, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening her own private studio and is thrilled to continue working with the incredibly gifted students of Plano ISD.
After ten years in the classroom, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening her own private studio and is thrilled to continue working with the incredibly gifted students of Plano ISD.
Lois Landrum
I received a Bachelor of Music Degree from Baylor University, where I studied with Carolyn Backus. I also attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, pursuing a Master of Music Degree and studied with Jack Coldiron. I have performed in many venues throughout my career. I have also held many positions in various churches throughout our state. I am married and have 5 grown children. I have been teaching for more than 30 years and have had many former students go on to colleges and universities to major in music. Many have received generous scholarships. Several are singing professionally. At last count, I have more than 25 former students who are now teaching music and/or singing professionally and more than 50 members of the Texas All State Choir (many of them more than one year). My students consistently receive the highest ratings at competitions, festivals, NATS and All-State. Every year, I have students selected to the Texas All-State Choir. I am a frequent adjudicator for vocal solo competitions. I hold membership in several professional organizations, including Music Educators National Conference, Texas Music Educators Association, Music Teachers National Association,National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Dallas Music Teachers Association, Junior Pianists Guild and Texas Music Teachers Association, where I held several state positions, most recently the State Vocal Chairman from 2007-2011 and 2014. I held the position of Independent Teacher Liaison in Texoma NATS from 2012-2014. I was elected the President of the Dallas Music Teachers Association, to serve from 2014-16 and reelected for a second term from 2016-18. I have been the Vocal Division Chairman for Dallas Symphonic Festival since 2016 and am still serving in that capacity. I have taught in PISD for several teachers, including Judy Putney Crim (Jasper HS) – 7 years, Derrick Brookins PSHS) – 13 years and Clorese Porter (Clark HS) for 1 year.
Monica Leone
Monica Leone is a mezzo-soprano who has been teaching voice lessons for close to 20 years. She has taught successful students who have achieved the following: All Region Choir, All Area, All State Choir, roles in musicals, members of Music Corporation and Chamber Singers, Superior ratings on Solos at UIL, recitals, and college scholarships to prestigious music programs across the country. She focuses on teaching a healthy technique while also teaching a variety of styles which is necessary for a well rounded high school choir program. Expertise with foreign language diction is also one of her specialties having lived and performed abroad. She speaks Italian, German, and French. She is thrilled to teach at her alma mater, PSHS, and divides her time performing in the DFW metroplex and also in Europe as a soloist and in professional ensembles.