Music

Lauren Bamburg is a Talented Music teacher for Bossier Parish, and has been vocally coaching the talented students since 2014.  Originally a Marketing major from Louisiana Tech University and Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Lauren has always had a love of music and so she chose to follow her passions. She taught music at Stockwell Place Elementary from 2009-2014 and directed the award winning SPE Honor Choir.  Lauren has served as a worship leader on her church praise team, the youth worship team and in the Children’s Ministry. She has participated in several studio recording projects and has been musical director for the TAP theatre production of “Smile” and the TAP original musical dinner theatre production "Louisiana Saturday Night". She is married to her husband Dennis of 29 years and has two beautiful daughters, Olivia and Victoria and son-in-law, Jared Chittom.  As a graduate of Bossier Parish Schools, she considers it a privilege to have the opportunity to give back to her community and invest in the lives of her music students each year.

Rebekah Burcham

Sharyn Dolese is a native of the North Louisiana area, and grew up attending Bossier Parish schools.  She has been involved in music from as early as she can remember.  She started taking piano lessons at five years old, and eventually began voice lessons in upper elementary school.  As a middle schooler, Sharyn began performing with the Shreveport Opera chorus, continuing throughout high school, and performed in a few more shows during her college years. This is her 20th year teaching.  She began teaching in the Talented Art Program in the 2020-2021 school year, and she's thoroughly enjoyed her time! Sharyn sings in the praise band at Benton Methodist, and enjoys attending shows and concerts.  She's been married to JC for fifteen years, and has two stepdaughters (20 & 22) and one daughter (8) of her own.

John Calvin Johnson is a Talented Music Instructor for Bossier Parish schools where he teaches voice, piano and guitar. He also directs the TAP House Band, a student-driven performance group consisting of students in the Talented Arts program from around Bossier Parish. A native of Alexandria, John Calvin graduated from Northwestern State University with a degree in K-12 Vocal Music Education and is entering his seventh year of teaching. He has previously taught choir in both Louisiana and Texas, leading his ensembles to superior ratings in contest and sight-reading. John Calvin has performed with multiple groups, including the Prisma Vocal Ensemble, an Ark-La-Tex semi-professional chorus. He has also served as a worship director for multiple churches. Outside of work, John Calvin enjoys creating music, spending time with friends and family, and following Louisiana sports! 

Katie Phillips grew up loving music, and took voice and piano lessons as a child till adulthood. She graduated from Centenary College in 2006 with a degree in vocal music education, and has been teaching music in Caddo and Bossier parish schools ever since. She has been with the Talented Arts Program in Bossier since 2016, teaching voice and specializing in classical repertoire for students. Katie also teaches with Stage Center’s School of Performing Arts for children, music directing plays and co-teaching Triple Threat classes. Favorite roles and performances include Pamina in The Magic Flute, Lady Psyche in Princess Ida, Glinda in scenes from Wicked, and being a soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah. She sings and plays guitar regularly at her home church, occasionally composes worship music, and performs classically in the area. She loves being a wife and mom of three, as well as singing, reading, and teaching music.

Zachary Rhodes is a talented music instructor for Bossier Parish Schools where he teaches percussion, drum set, keyboard, and guitar. He graduated from Northwestern State University with a degree in K-12 Instrumental Music Education. After graduating, Zach taught elementary music for three years in both Arkansas and Louisiana, where he enjoyed teaching folk songs, folk dances, and percussion. He currently plays drums for his local church, local theater productions, and percussion with the Brass Band of Louisiana. Zach and his wife, Lauren, are both excited to welcome baby Oliver to the world!

Scott Wilhite is a Talented Music teacher for Bossier Parish, teaching primarily strings, but also has a background in woodwinds and vocals. He holds a BA in Music Education from Northwestern State University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in his class in 2014. He has taught band in Caddo Parish and has taught Choir in DeSoto Parish and is now happy to join the Bossier Talented Arts staff. He currently also teaches private lessons to students at his church. 

Joshua Lee Waldrop grew up in Benton, Louisiana. He began playing music at the age of 10, pursuing trumpet, horn, guitar, and bass. Joshua received an Associate Degree in Performing Arts from Bossier Parish Community College. He continued his studies at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Joshua has performed in various ensembles, including the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony, Texarkana Symphony, Marshall Symphony, Monroe Symphony, and South Arkansas Symphony. He served as Instructor of Music and Director of Bands at Bossier Parish Community College from 2018 to 2023. He is currently teaching for the Talented Arts program in Bossier Parish.