Instructors

Elizabeth Hames

Elizabeth Hames is a TAFA 2006 Alumni. After graduating from TAFA, Elizabeth went on to study at Texas Christian University's School of Music. She received a Bachelor's and Masters of Music from TCU, both in Theory and Composition and also studied piano, harp, voice, and organ. She returned to TAFA to direct the younger choirs and teach Music Theory for college preparation. In addition to teaching at TAFA, Elizabeth teaches private lessons in piano, voice, and composition. Recently, she and a colleague started an independent music publishing firm, EM Music Publishing, which focuses on providing pedagogical materials for music teachers and students. 

elizabeth.hames@tafa.org

Jeannie Gifford

Jeannie Gifford earned her Master’s degree in Music (Vocal Performance Pedagogy) from Texas Christian University and is passionate about inspiring young vocalists and pianists to find joy through the art of musical performance. Jeannie’s musical journey began at TAFA back in 2006, and she credits the teachers at TAFA for inspiring her to discover and explore God’s gift of music. Throughout high school, Jeannie competed and placed in several national vocal competitions including the Classical Singer Competition, the National Society of Arts and Letters, the Schmidt Youth Vocal Competition, and the National YoungArts Foundation. She went on to receive Texas Christian University’s prestigious Chancellor’s Scholarship in Music and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Vocal Performance. In addition to singing, Jeannie also studied piano as her secondary instrument with Dr. Gloria Lin at Texas Christian University and music composition with Dr. Martin Blessinger. Jeannie has taught voice and piano in the DFW area for the past seven years and specializes in training singers in a number of vocal styles, spanning the gamut of classical and contemporary music (art song, opera, musical theater, jazz, pop, and worship). Helping her students find vocal freedom by discovering their own unique, God-given voice is one of her greatest joys as a teacher. When she’s not teaching, Jeannie picks up local singing gigs in the area, is a professional Christmas-caroler around the holidays, adjudicates for local vocal competitions, and enjoys composing/arranging music, painting, interior decorating, cooking, and spending quality time with those closest to her (the Lord, her husband, her family, and friends).

jeannie.gifford@tafa.org

Ondrea Schenck

Ondrea Schenck received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin in 1999. She went on to become a choir director in Mansfield ISD, while performing with the Fort Worth Opera, the local church, and other professional groups. She joined the TAFA team in 2005 as one of the choir directors. Ondrea now teaches the musical theater classes. 

ondrea.schenck@tafa.org

Sarah Shannon

Sarah is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a degree in  Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance/Pedagogy. She began her teaqching career in Mesquire ISD. She has been the Director of Choral Studies at TAFA since 1999 and became the Director of the School of Worship in recent years. Sarah has performed in the FW Opera Chorus for five seasons, been a vocal coach for 20 years, harpist for 13 years and volunteered or has been on staff as a worship leader for a combined 20+ years. 

sarah.shannon@tafa.org