Teaching Staff

Audrey Cummins is a junior Studio Art major! I have always loved art since I was young and have taken drawing, painting, and many other art classes here at UMHB. I am very excited to get to share what I have learned and to help others grow as I assist in the Arts Academy Art Classes this year!

Glen Dawson started ballet at age 5 after seeing Margot Fonteyn in Swain Lake. She earned her BFA in Dance and Theater from UT Austin and her MFA in Dance from SMU. She was a member of Austin Repertory Dance Theater, where she performed and directed. She was an original member of Sharir Dance Company and performed in the Zilker Summer Musical Productions while living in Austin. She has taught dance for Ballet Austin, Austin Community College, Austin ISD, Collin College, Contemporary Ballet Dallas and numerous other studios and schools. She has developed dance programs for Austin ISD and the Episcopal School of Dallas where she directed and choreographed for the dance performance groups. She has choreographed and directed many Musicals.

She is thrilled to be a part of the Performing Art Program at UMHB!

Claudiane Barros was born in Brazil, where she began studying piano at the age of 8. She graduated in 1992 from the Centro de Ensino Artístico de Três Lagoas (Conservatory), where she was invited to teach piano. While teaching at CEATL, Clau Barros attended Business School at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. In 2001, she received her Bachelor's degree in Church Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance from the Southern Theological Baptist Seminary in Brazil. In 2002, she was invited to teach at the Seminary, where she continued until 2010. In 2011, she moved to the United States to pursue her Master of Arts in Music, graduating in 2014 from Campbellsville University, KY. Throughout her musical career, she has accompanied church choirs, university chorales, and soloists. Claudiane has been married to Leonardo Barros for 23 years and they have three children.

Joelle Bedwell holds a B.A. in Music Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a Master of Music from the University of Texas at Austin. With extensive public school teaching experience, she has served as an Elementary School Music Specialist in both the Richardson Independent School District and the Temple Independent School District. Additionally, Joelle has contributed to higher education as an Adjunct Professor at Temple College, instructing oboe and chamber music ensembles. In private teaching, Joelle has managed a Private Piano Studio across Keyes, Madill, and Durant, OK, as well as Richardson and Temple, TX, and has operated a Private Oboe Studio in Temple, TX. Her professional contributions include being a published author in the music textbook series, "The Music Connection," by Silver, Burdett, Ginn. Joelle has also made significant public service contributions as a Trustee on the Temple ISD Board, the Bell County Tax Appraisal Board, the Temple Education Foundation Board, and the Temple Wildcat Mentor Board. Joelle is also a member of the First Methodist Church in Temple, TX.

Jeremy Coltharp is a Junior Church Music major from Austin, Texas. At UMHB, he’s been actively involved in Concert Choir, CTME, and piano studies. He also serve as the pianist for the worship team at Lakeview Baptist Church and works part-time as a piano technician for the Arts Academy. Jeremy is excited for the future at the Arts Academy and looks forward to seeing how it continues to grow and be blessed through God!

Samantha Foster is a 2018 UMHB graduate with a degree in Music Education. She has been teaching piano lessons through the Arts Academy since then graduating. Samantha loves the ability to combine her lifelong love of music and love for kids, as she shares with her students the joy of music and equip them with skills for lifelong music-making. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors riding her bike, hiking with friends, or camping with her family.

Rachel Pendergraft teaches pre-college students at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Arts Academy and is an active freelance accompanist. She holds the B.M. and M.M. degrees in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Samford University where she studied with Kathryn Fouse. She currently serves as President of the Central Texas Music Teachers Association and Pedagogy Director for the State Board of TMTA. She previously served as Editor of the Texas Music Teacher magazine.

Rachel grew up in Alabama and has lived in Texas for the past 15 years. She is married to Robert Pendergraft and homeschools her 5 children Geneva, 11, Judson, 9, Katharina 7, Isaac, 5, and Ada Hilde, 4 months. Rachel enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, & learning new things.

Dr. Sylvia White is a distinguished educator with a profound background in music and education. She earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2019, focusing her dissertation on "Student Veterans and Higher Education." Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University in 1964, followed by a Master of Music in Theory and Literature from the same institution in 1967, where she completed her thesis on "A History of American Opera." Dr. White’s extensive teaching career spans over five decades. At the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, she taught the course FINA2330-Exploring the Fine Arts from 2012 to 2024. She also created a general music class for home-schooled students and has taught private piano lessons at the Arts Academy/Conservatory since 2009. Her earlier roles include serving as a general music specialist in various schools within Clear Creek ISD and Pasadena ISD, where she was responsible for directing choirs, handbell programs, and grade-level music programs. Dr. White’s commitment to music education and her extensive experience have made her a respected figure in her field, inspiring countless students and educators alike.

Julie Johnson has been teaching private viola lessons for six years, working with students through her personal studio and previously at Académie Musique in Temple. A Senior Church Music major at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, she has registered Suzuki training through the Austin Suzuki Institute.

Julie is passionate about nurturing a love for music in children while providing them with a strong musical foundation. She plans to combine her love for music and ministry by leading worship in churches and inspiring young musicians to experience the joy and transformative power of music.

Aaron Mace is a 2022 UMHB graduate. During his time at UMHB he was chosen to be the concert choir student conductor, and performed a solo classical guitar recital. Now he teaches guitar, and serves on his church's worship team as the lead electric guitarist. Other than guitar, his interests include reading, oil painting, and spending time with his awesome wife Taylor.

Grace Catherine is an accomplished soprano and dedicated educator with over a decade of experience in music instruction. She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas, where she also minored in Vocal Pedagogy. Her diverse teaching career spans from elementary to collegiate levels, specializing in both classical and contemporary vocal techniques. Grace’s passion for music is evident not only in her teaching but also in her performance career, which includes roles in operas and musicals across the United States, Canada, and Italy.

As a soloist, she has performed with the Abilene Philharmonic, and she has appeared in notable productions such as Suor Angelica at the Amalfi Music Festival and The Pirates of Penzance at the University of North Texas. Grace’s repertoire includes iconic roles like the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni.

Beyond performance, Grace has a deep love for directing. She has served as assistant director for Opera on the Avalon. She has also directed several musical productions and taught acting, with a focus on musical theatre.

She emphasizes a holistic approach to pedagogy, helping students find their healthiest voices and preparing them for auditions, performances, and future careers in music. Grace’s goal is to foster a supportive yet challenging environment where students can thrive artistically and grow in their musical journey.

Skyler Pettway is a Senior Bachelor of Arts student at UMHB. He has been involved in UMHB’s Concert Choir, Opera/Musical Theatre and in One Voice. With these groups he has travelled and performed in Northern Wales in the U.K and in Carnegie Hall in N.Y.C, He also has had the opportunity to perform in The Little Prince as The King. He is excited to be teaching at the Arts Academy and to continue his passion for teaching.

Abby Stovall is a Junior Vocal Performance Major here at UMHB. She has been teaching at the Arts Academy for a year now and teaches voice, guitar, and piano. She has been involved on campus in Concert Choir, One Voice, and Opera/Musical Theatre classes. She has performed in Into the Woods as Lucinda and The Hunchback of Notre Dame as Madam, Gargoyle, and a Reveler. She is so excited to continue teaching these amazing students through this great Academy.

Dr. Luis Rivera is a woodwind teacher at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor Arts Academy. Before coming to the UMHB Arts Academy he has been a Woodwind Specialist with the United States Army Band since 2005.He maintains a vibrant career as a guest woodwind clinician throughout the United States and has performed concerts overseas in Venezuela, Spain,Germany,Austria,Korea and Kuwait. Dr.Rivera was a Band Director of Jupiter Christian School in Jupiter Florida. He also served as a Woodwind Professor at El Sistema USA in Virginia. Dr. Rivera began his professional teaching career as a woodwind teacher in the Escuela Libre de Musica in Puerto Rico. He performed with the Banda de Conciertos of Puerto Rico at the age of sixteen.

A native of Puerto Rico, Dr. Rivera received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Multiple Woodwinds from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, the Master of Music in Multiple Woodwinds from the University of North Texas and holds a Bachelors of Music degree from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.