Rusk, 75785
903.683.5041
Tyler, 75701
903.571.7830
Longview, 75602
402.619.7635
Tyler, 75707
903.258.0471
Quitman, 75783
903.763.2731
Laura Bozeman studied piano in Dallas and Midland, playing in the Junior Van Katwijk Auditions at SMU, winning local solo and concerto competitions in Midland, and competing at TMTA state auditions. Additional activities as Student Affiliate included winning third place in the Texas Young Composers Contest and playing on the Midland Piano Ensembles at TMTA conventions. She also received Critics Circle for her programs in the National Guild of Piano Auditions, and was the recipient of the Wallace Wimberly Memorial Scholarship from the Midland Music Teachers Association. She received a Bachelor of Music Degree at the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Performance, Piano Pedagogy from Texas Christian University. She was a student teacher at The Piano Project at UT-Austin, and held a Teaching Assistantship at TCU. She also taught at the TCU Piano Preparatory School and Our Lady of Victory in Fort Worth. She was a part-time lecturer at UT-Tyler and an adjunct professor at Tyler Junior College. She has been a piano teacher for The Choir School of East Texas. Miss Bozeman was host of the Music of the Masters program on KTCU-fm radio. She has given solo recitals and attended amateur and teacher programs at the former TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute, now Piano Texas International Academy and Festival. She attended the World Piano Pedagogy Conferences in 2007 and 2008 and was a judge for the student piano competitions by invitation of the Board of Directors. She was also a presenter at a town hall panel on teaching the adult student. Ms. Bozeman is currently teaching private piano students in Tyler.
Tyler, 75703
903.520.7335
Brian was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas. He was a student at the Thompson Studio of Music from 1963-1972. Brian received a second place and a third place in the Piano Solo Competition at the Texas Music Teacher State Convention and performed Sophomore, Junior and Senior Piano recitals during his High School years. He received Critic’s Circle every year at the Guild Piano Auditions and was student accompanist for all musical activities at Monsignor Kelly High School. Brian began organ studies in sixth grade and played for a number of churches from 6th grade through High School. While attending North Texas State University in Denton, Brian studied with Larry Walz. Brian was awarded the first scholarship to attend Academie Maurice Ravel in St. Jean-de-Luz, France where he studied with Philippe Entremont and Gaby Casadesus. A highlight of that trip was performing the Schumann Piano Concerto with the Bayonne Symphony Orchestra. Brian won First Place in the MTNA Collegiate Solo Competition in 1973 and 1976. His Senior Piano Recital consisted of performing the entire Bach Goldberg Variations and the 10 Rachmaninoff Preludes op. 23. After receiving his Bachelor of Music at North Texas in 1976, he returned to Beaumont to complete his Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance at Lamar University. Brian married his High School sweetheart, Dianna Montalbano, in 1975. Dianna received her Bachelor of Music Education in 1980 and has been the Music Teacher at St. Gregory School since 1988; she has also been the Choir Director for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception since 1988. Brian has been Director of Sacred Music and Divine Worship at the Cathedral since moving to Tyler in 1987, and has had a piano studio in Tyler since that time. Brian and Dianna have three grown children (Liz, Katie and Brian) and three grandchildren (Bailey, Braiden and Logan).
Tyler, 75703
903.521.4135
Whitehouse, 75791
903.839.6368
I was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. I studied with Frances Huff for ten years, and I was a member of Tyler Music Teachers Student Association. I participated in the National Guild of Piano Students for ten years and received a rating of Critics Circle seven out of those ten years. My senior year in high school, I received the Paderewski Medal in Guild and won 3rd place in the Eva Browning Memorial Scholarship at Texas Tech University.
After marrying Jerry Calaway in 1975, we lived in Sulphur Springs where I began teaching private piano. We moved to Tyler in 1976, where I opened my studio and taught piano for five years, serving on many Tyler Music Teacher Association committees and served as a officer. In 1981, we moved to the Ft. Worth area for three years. I was a member of the Ft. Worth Music Teacher’s Forum and joined the National Music Teachers Association while there. After two years in Nacogdoches, where I was a member of Nacogdoches Music Teachers Association, Jerry and I moved to Whitehouse, Tx.
I have been a member of Tyler Music Teacher’s Association and the East Texas Music Teacher’s Association for twenty-‐nine years. I’ve played piano for several Baptist churches over the last forty years and am currently serving as organist at Colonial Hills Baptist Church. I have been the pianist at Whitehouse High School and Jr High since 1998. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with the privilege of doing what I love. I currently have a studio at my home in Whitehouse where I have 30 private piano, voice and theory students.
Combine, 75159
469.271.8426
Lindale, 75771
903.780.4141
Vanessa (Gilmore) Chisler was born and raised in Daingerfield, Texas, where she began piano study at the age of 8.
She earned an Associate of Arts degree from TJC and a Bachelors of Arts- Music degree from UT Tyler. She also holds a Texas State Educator Certificate for All Level Music. An active member of ETMTA since 2006, Vanessa has held many positions including Librarian, Publicity Chair, Achievement Auditions Chair, Student Affiliate/Theory Chair, Website co-chair/Historian , Fall Festival Chair, Vice President and President. Vanessa has also served as an ensemble director and delegate for the TMTA convention.
In the Fall of 2015, she and her students were featured on a KLTV 7 news story on music and memory, where she spoke on the importance of music education. In the Fall of 2021, Vanessa, along with her friend and colleague, Kelli Cooper, participated in a teacher chat on studio policies for the Piano Parent Podcast hosted by Shelly Davis.
Vanessa maintains a home studio in Lindale offering lessons for ages 5 to adult. Lessons include but are not limited to theory, functional skills (sight- reading, harmonization, etc) repertoire, and technique. Vanessa likes to create a fun environment for piano study. She also offers online lessons and teaches students as far away as Alaska. In addition to teaching, Vanessa enjoys adjudicating for local festivals and events.
Vanessa lives in Lindale with her husband Jeff, son Austin, and dogs.
Longview, 75605
903.238.6121
Vicki Jacks Conway is Senior Lecturer in Music at the University of Texas at Tyler and organist at Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Longview. She maintains a small private piano studio for pre-college students in both Tyler and Longview and is also available for single or occasional lessons on a consulting basis for the purpose of assessing tension/pain/injury, learning disabilities, performance anxiety, or competition preparation. She also offers the Safe and Sound Protocol, a listening therapy designed to help regulate the nervous system for better connections with self, others, and the world around us. Benefits can include improved responses to stress, better emotional regulation and resilience, and more social connection and deeper relationships. For
For more information, visit www.conwaymmm.com.
Nacogdoches, 75965
936.468.1063
Whitehouse, 75791
903.520.6465
Shelly Davis has maintained a private piano studio in the Tyler/Whitehouse area since 1993. Mrs. Davis studied music in Houston and TJC as well as private piano and composition at UT Tyler and is certified through the Music Teachers National Association. Mrs. Davis is an active member of the East Texas Music Teachers Association; serving in various offices, including president in 2011 when the association was awarded “Best of State” by the Texas Music Teachers Association.
Students in the Shelly Davis Piano Studio are afforded many opportunities through private study (focusing on sight-reading, theory, technique, harmonization, and memory); performance opportunities, such as Piano Caroling at the local retirement home, piano parties, and spring recital; auditions and festivals offered through the East Texas Music Teachers Association; and theory exams, ensemble events, music projects, research/publication contest, original composition competition and more through the Texas Music Teachers Association.
Shelly is also the host of the Piano Parent Podcast, a weekly podcast dedicated specifically to parents of piano students. Each episode covers topics of interest to piano families such as how to motivate your child to practice and how to encourage a love of music, as well as general music topics and interviews with teachers and other piano parents. You can listen to the latest episode at www.PianoParentPodcast.com or subscribe on iTunes.
Many students at SDPS are able to serve others by playing keyboard in youth praise bands, performing in family weddings, accompanying choirs or vocalists, and simply sharing their musical talent with family and friends.
Every student is welcome to study piano at the Shelly Davis Piano Studio. Feel free to browse the website at www.ShellyDavisPiano.com to learn more about Shelly’s teaching philosophy and student activities. Call 903-520-6465 or email shellylovespiano@gmail.com for registration information.
Tyler, 75707
903.521.6825
White Hall, Arkansas, 71602
734.288.8734
Flint, 75762
772.285.2276
Winona, 75792
903.805.9394
Tyler, 75704
Emeritus Member
Tyler, 75701
903.805.9394
Tyler, 75701
903.714.3333
Kilgore, 75662
325.939.3002
Tyler, 75701
903.510.2872
Tyler, 75703
806.549.8310
Mineola, 75773
Emeritus Member
Tyler, 75703
903.692.0368
Georgetown, 78633
Emeritus Member
CAREER SUMMARY
Adjudicator and Consultant for the National Guild of Piano Teachers Teacher of Private and Group Piano Teacher in Public Schools, Private Schools, and Colleges EDUCATION B.S. in Education – Midland University, Fremont, NE Major: Music Education Teaching Minors: Psychology and English Master of Arts Degree – University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO Certification – Music Teachers National Association Certification – Colorado State Music Teachers Association Certification – Texas Music Teachers Association HONORS Hall of Fame – National Guild of Piano Teachers Teacher of the Year – Pre- Collegiate, East Texas Music Teachers Association President – Loveland, Colorado Music Teachers Association President – Pueblo, Colorado Music Teachers Association District Chairperson – Colorado State Music Teachers Association President – East Texas Music Teachers Association PIANO LESSONS CAN INCLUDE Technic, Ear Training, Rhythms, Sight Reading, Music Literature, Improvisation, Composers, Composition, Following a Lead Line
Tyler, 75701
903.530.4993
Chelsye was born and raised in Whitehouse, Texas where she began to study piano at the age of 6 and clarinet at the age of 12. She earned an Associate’s of Music degree from TJC and a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University with emphasis and focus being certified EC-12; woodwind specialist/clarinet; piano minor. Chelsye has played for numerous churches, private events, and school functions throughout her career. She has been an active band director in the East Texas area for eight years. Students in the Chelsye Newland Piano/Music Studio have the opportunity to either began their piano journey or expand upon it. In addition to piano, the studio is proudly helping woodwind students grow in their musical journey. Students in the studio are afforded many opportunities to expand on their talents and musicianship by private study, community outreach, piano parties, and spring recital. The Chelsye Newland Piano/Music Studio is open for enrollment with emphasis on piano and woodwind study. Call 903-530-4993 or email Chelsye08@gmail.com for registration information.
Flint, 75762
903.521.1611
Bullard, 75757
Emeritus Member
Grand Saline, 75140
Garland, 75043
214.693.4493
Longview, 75605
714.470.6389
Anna Saunders, a native of South Korea, is a classical pianist, organist, chamber musician and dedicated teacher. Ms.Saunders started playing the piano at the age of three, performing her first solo recital at the age of four. In 2008, she graduated from CSUF with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and in 2013, received a full scholarship and pursued a M.M. degree in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy at SMU during which time she taught students in SMU’s Piano Preparatory Department. Then she pursued a M.M. in Music Education at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Since 2002, Ms. Saunders has taught every age from pre-kindergarten through college and adults. She also has been teaching students with disabilities included Autistic spectrum (ASD), Asperger syndrome, ADHD, nonverbal learning, dyslexia, blindness, dyscalculia disorders, bipolar and other mental health disorders. Ms. Saunders believes all students are capable of learning, if placed in a positive environment. They all do not learn at the same rate, but with different methods and strategies it is possible.
Ms. Saunders is a recipient of the Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher Award for 2017. She is truly passionate about teaching and continues to perform regularly both as a solo, and chamber music artist. Currently, Ms. Saunders resides in Longview and enjoys sharing her passion for art and music with her Catholic church community and students as the music director and fine art director. She is a member of MTNA, TMTA and ETMTA.
Combine, 75159
507.259.1009
Suzanne Solum of Sunshine Piano Studio began her music education in piano at 8 years of age. Throughout her school years, she also added other instruments, music theory, and both solo and ensemble experience. Beyond high school, she had 1 year with Concordia College’s bachelor of music program in Moorhead, Minnesota and the 1 year diploma at Christ for the Nations in Dallas for their Bible/Music program. The gifted teachers she had over the years inspired her life-long love of music, which included many styles of music and the understanding of how music is put together. This is the gift she passes on to her students to equip them to play, create, and arrange the music that motivates them and enriches their lives.
Tyler, 75701
616.481.0294
Mabank, 75147
214.642.5038
Tyler, 75701
903.520.9519