JULISSA CHAPA
Julissa Y. Chapa taught elementary music in the Houston area for 20 years. She earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Music Education and is currently pursuing her doctorate from the University of Houston. She received her Kodály Certification from the Kodály Institute of Houston and has presented staff development sessions for various districts and conferences. She teaches at the Fort Bend Summer Kodály Institute and is currently a lecturer at the University of Houston. Her ultimate goal is to promote quality music education for all children, upholding Kodály's beliefs that music is a birthright of every child.
LISA MAXWELL
Lisa Maxwell graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Theatre Studies in 1996. After a gap year of self reflection and slight despondency she attended the University of Houston, Moore’s School of Music for an Elementary Ed Certification and Elementary Music Education Specialist Certification in 1997. This was the same year she began teaching elementary music in Alvin ISD. She does not recommend doing the two activities simultaneously if you can avoid it.
After metaphorically jumping out of the boat and learning how to swim at the same time, Lisa has enjoyed honing her elementary music teaching craft, teaching student teachers, continuing to grow her theater skills and crafts in her nonexistent free time and raising two children only a mother and father could love.
PHILLIP SAMMONS
Phillip Sammons is beginning his 9th year as a music educator. He currently teaches 3rd – 5th grade music at the St. John’s School in Houston, where he also conducts the Lower School choir. He holds Bachelor and Master degrees in music from the University of Houston and Louisiana State University, respectively. A proud member of OAKE, Phillip obtained his Kodály certification in 2018 and presently serves on the Choir Committee. Recently, he was a nominee for the Texas Choral Directors Association Elementary Vice President. Previously, Phillip taught at Horn Elementary in Houston ISD. During his six years at Horn, his choir performed at Sing4Life alongside the Houston Boy Choir, was awarded outstanding choir at the Children’s Music Invitational, and was invited to perform for the 2021 TMEA Convention.
MEREDITH MOONEY
Meredith Mooney has taught music at Dr. James “Red” Duke Elementary School since 2014, with a TMEA invited choir performance in 2017. She is one of two music lead teachers for Alvin ISD. Mrs. Mooney has taught elementary music in Spring, Pearland, and Alvin ISDs for a combined total of 16 years and completed her Orff-Schulwerk certification in 2018. She was the national third place grant winner in the 2014 VOYA Unsung Heroes competition. She received a B. Mus. from the UH Moores School of Music in Flute Performance and continues to teach private lessons in the area.