Faculty

Dr. Houlahan and Dr. Tacka have co-authored seven books addressing musical literacy and Kodály studies as well as numerous articles. Their most recent publications include From Sound to Symbol (Oxford University Press, 2008) as well as Kodály Today: A Cognitive Approach to Music Education (Oxford University Press, 2015). Previous publications include Sound Thinking: Music for Sightsinging and Ear Training, Vols. I and II and Developing Musical Literacy, Vols. I and II (Boosey and Hawkes) and Zoltan Kodály: A Guide to Research (Garland Publishing). They have written numerous articles including the Kodály entry in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Both have presented papers on topics including Kodály studies, music theory, pedagogy, music psychology, music history and early childhood music education throughout the United States and Europe. Dr. Houlahan and Dr. Tacka received extensive Kodály training in both Hungary and the United States. Dr. Houlahan is currently the Chair of Music at Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Dr. Tacka is a professor of music education at the same university. Both work with several large public school systems in Texas, Pennsylvania and the greater Washington D.C. area. Their university affiliations include Belmont University, Eastman School of Music, the Juilliard School of Music, New York University, and Texas State University.

Ms. Gaby Montoya-Stier is an elementary music teacher at Los Reyes Elementary with the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas. She received her Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of New Mexico and her Master’s in Music Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, where she completed Kodály levels I, II, and III with Dr. Jean Sinor and Dr. Alan Strong. She completed her Orff certification levels I, II, and III from Trinity University with Chris Judah-Lauder, Julie Scott, Susan Ramsey, and Robert De Frece. She has presented workshop sessions across Texas and at TMEA and OAKE conferences. She is the author of El Patio de mi Casa: 42 Traditional Rhymes, Chants, and Folk Songs from Mexico. 

Dr. Arredondo serves as the Director of Choral Activities for Southwestern University starting the fall of 2025. He attended Westminster Choir College of Rider University and earned his undergraduate degree in music education with a minor in dance. He holds a master's degree in choral conducting from Texas State University and also completed his doctor of musical art in choral conducting at the University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, he served as the director of the official show choir, The Longhorn Singers. Expanding his education in a global respect, he traveled to Hungary in the summer of 2011 to study at the Kodály Institute in Kecscemét. As a composer, his choral compositions have been featured at the Texas Music Educators Association and are currently being published. He also served as the composer-in-residence for the Ohio Music Educator’s Association concert and sightreading contests from 2022-2024. As an adjudicator, Dr. Arredondo serves as a TMAA member for UIL contests around the state. He has presented, consulted, and been a clinician at the regional, state, and international levels for music conferences and various school districts. Currently, he provides professional development and mentoring for music educators in Dallas ISD.

Ms. Lauren Bain teaches K-5 elementary music in New Braunfels, Texas. She earned a BM in Piano Performance and a BM in Music Education from Trinity University in San Antonio. She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity University. Lauren completed her Kodály certification at Texas State University and her Orff-Schulwerk certification at Trinity University. She served on the Executive Board for the Kodály Educators of Texas for 11 years as Vice President, President, and Past President. She has presented at the OAKE, AOSA, and TMEA conferences, as well as workshops around Texas and Oklahoma.  Lauren was named the New Braunfels ISD District Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2018, the 2019 Texas Education Agency Region 13 Elementary Teacher of the Year, and was a finalist for the HEB Excellence in Education Award in 2019.

Patty Moreno serves as the first-ever fine arts director for Hays Consolidated Independent School District. She is a career professional music educator with nearly 30 years of experience. 

Moreno began her career in 1991 as the music teacher for Kyle and Green Elementary Schools. In 1993, when she started teaching older students at Kyle Intermediate School, she also became the district’s lead elementary music teacher – a position she held for 15 years. In 2008, she became a fine arts coordinator for Austin Independent School District – her current position through January 24, 2020 – supervising content and writing curriculum for more than 100 elementary music teachers and secondary level choral directors.

During her career, Moreno has also served as a music consultant for Round Rock and Houston ISDs. She co-founded the Hays CISD honor choir. And, she co-founded and continues to serve as a director of the Kodály music certification program at Texas State University, which employs a premier method and philosophy of music instruction named after the Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály. In 2012, she was appointed by the State Board of Education to serve on the Texas Education Agency’s committee to review and write updated music essential knowledge and skills requirements for all music students in Texas.

Among Moreno’s many awards and honors, her Kodály music program team was previously named an H-E-B Excellence in Teaching Award state level semi-finalist, and she was selected as the Tom Green Elementary School teacher of the year. Moreno holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance and Piano Pedagogy and a Master of Music Education, both from Texas State University and graduating with honors. She also holds a lifetime certification in Texas to teach all levels of music.