FACULTY

Karen Kenaston‐French
Artistic Director/Conductor

John Wayman
Conductor

Jo Ann Antinone
Soprano Section Leader

Pauline Sexton
Soprano Section Leader

Sarah Council
Alto Section Leader

Chi-Chi King
Alto Section Leader

Doug Council
Tenor Section Leader

Evan Ramos
Tenor Section Leader

Da-On Boulanger-Chatman
Bass Section Leader

Lance Newman
Bass Section Leader

Marisan Corsino
Mezzo-Soprano

Christopher Curcuruto
Bass-Baritone

David Grogan
Baritone

Jenna White
Camp Director

Karen Kenaston‐French
Artistic Director/Conductor

Karen Kenaston-French is Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas Arlington (UTA), where she conducts the A Cappella Choir, teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting, and leads the Vocal Area. Under her leadership, the UTA A Cappella Choir has performed at prominent conferences, including the National Collegiate Choral Organization (2019), Southwestern Division American Choral Directors Association (2022 and 2016), Texas Music Educators Association state convention (2024, 2019, and 2014), and national ACDA conventions (2025 and 2015). She has prepared the choir for regional collaborations with esteemed ensembles such as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Winds, Texas Ballet Theatre, and Fort Worth Chorale, as well as for the Rolling Stones and The Eagles. Additionally, the A Cappella Choir was recognized as a finalist for the American Prize for Choral Performance in 2021 and 2014.

In 2019, Dr. Kenaston-French became the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Fort Worth Chorale, making her the fifth conductor in the organization’s 57-year history.

Before joining UTA, Dr. Kenaston-French was the Director of Choral Activities at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, where her Chamber Singers performed twice at the Tennessee Music Education Association state conference and participated in master classes with Chanticleer, Cantus, and Libby Larsen. She has also taught conducting at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and the University of North Texas (UNT) and served as director of music ministries at Plymouth Park United Methodist Church in Irving, Texas, from 1986 to 1998. As a sought-after guest conductor, she has led honor choirs across the U.S., the Texas two-year college All-State choir, and numerous TMEA region choirs. An active lecturer and adjudicator, she has presented on topics such as choral tone, conducting, rehearsal techniques, and performance practice for organizations including SMU, Choristers Guild, Texas Choral Directors Association, and various universities, school districts, and churches.

A native of Huntington, West Virginia, Dr. Kenaston-French holds a B.A. in vocal performance from West Virginia Wesleyan College, dual M.M. and M.S.M. degrees in choral conducting from SMU, and a D.M.A. in choral conducting from UNT. While at UNT, she was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Student in Conducting and Ensembles and received the Pi Kappa Lambda Outstanding Doctoral Student Award. Her conducting mentors include Jerry McCoy, Mel Ivey, Lloyd Pfautsch, Jane Marshall, and Larry Parsons. In 2011, she participated in the Choral/Orchestral Master Class at the Oregon Bach Festival under Helmut Rilling and Jeffrey Kahane. Her vocal studies include graduate work with Lynn Eustis (UNT) and Linda Baer (SMU).

Dr. Kenaston-French has contributed scholarly work, including her article “The Teachings of Jean‐Antoine Bérard,” published in the Journal of Singing (November 2009). She was a member of the Dallas Symphony Chorus from 1993 to 2003 and was part of the inaugural Robert Shaw Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall in 1991.

John Wayman
Clinician

Dr. John Wayman is Associate Professor of Choral Music Education at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he conducts the University Singers and guides our future choral music educators. Prior to his arrival to UTA, Wayman served as Music Education Coordinator and Director of the Concert Choir at Young Harris College in Georgia. Dr. Wayman has a BAMEd from Wayland Baptist University, a MMEd and Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. As a choral director, Dr. Wayman brings a wealth of information having taught all levels (elementary-college in Texas and Georgia) in a variety of settings. He is in great demand as an adjudicator and clinician, regularly working with school music programs and directing honor choirs throughout the nation.

​Dr. Wayman’s areas of specialty consist of the male changing voice, music as an educational tool for the traditional classroom and the development of the preservice teacher. His research has been presented regularly at professional conferences in state (Texas Music Educators Association, Tennessee MEA and Georgia MEA), nationally (National Association for Music Educators, Society of Research for Music Education, Society of Music Teacher Educators) and international venues (International Society of Music Education [Greece and Brazil] , Research in Music Education [England], PASME [Uganda], and most recently working with the choirs and future music educators at the University of Internationalities in Chengdu, China). His work can be found in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Teaching Music, Georgia Music News and Symposium on Music Teacher Education: Enacting Shared Visions.

Jo Ann Antinone
Soprano Section Leader

Mrs. Antinone is the director of the L.D. Bell High School Choral Department.  This is Mrs. Antinone’s 24th year of teaching.  She was raised in Bryan, TX and received her Bachelor degree in Music Education from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and her Masters degree in Choral Conducting from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY.  Mrs. Antinone is often called upon as a guest conductor around the DFW Metroplex and serves as a clinician and adjudicator for choral programs all over the state.  She has served as an officer in TMEA Region 31 and serves on staff at the UTA All-State Choir Camp.  Mrs. Antinone is the primary instructor for the A Cappella, Varsity Women’s, Varsity Men’s, Choralier Men’s, and Bell System performance ensembles.  

Pauline Sexton
Soprano Section Leader

Mrs. Pauline Sexton is excited to be the new Head Director of the outstanding Grapevine High School Choir Program. This is her 29th year teaching music in Texas public schools. After teaching elementary music in Mission and Edinburg, middle school choir in McAllen, and opening a brand new, very successful high school choir program at Robert Vela High School in Edinburg, she and her husband Brian decided to relocate from the Rio Grande Valley back to the DFW Metroplex, where her love of high school choir began at Berkner High School (‘88) under the direction of Glenda Casey. Mrs. Sexton is a member of TMEA and has served as Elementary Division Chair, Middle School Vocal Division Secretary/Treasurer, and High School Division Chair for Region XV. She has also served TMEA as the soprano and tenor section leaders for the Texas All-State Choir and the High School Vice-President for Texas Choral Directors Association. Mrs. Sexton and her band director husband have two children; David graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of Music (Johns Hopkins) in Baltimore, and Grace is attending Southwestern University in Georgetown.

Sarah Council
Alto Section Leader

Sarah Council is in her nineteenth year teaching in Plano ISD. Both at Plano West and Shepton High School, choirs under her direction and associate direction have received many honors including 2024, 2019 and 2011 Texas Music Educators Association Invited Performing Choirs, a 2014 Southwest ACDA invitational convention performance, Best in Class at competitions, UIL Sweepstakes awards, and many students earning places in All-Region and All-State Choirs.  In addition to her work at Plano West, Mrs. Council was honored to serve as the Vocal Chair for TMEA Regions 24 and 25 and Area B. Mrs. Council was the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year for Plano West, and a 2024 Plano ISD Marilyn Brooks Excellence in Teaching award recipient. Currently, she is honored to serve as Fine Arts Department Chair at Plano West. 

Mrs. Council is a proud graduate of Baylor University. (Sic ‘em Bears!)  She has served as the Soprano Section Leader for the Texas All State Mixed Choir, and has spent many summers as a section leader for All-State Choir Camps. She is a member of TMEA, TCDA, TMAA and ACDA.  Sarah is proud to have several former students enjoying careers in Music Education, Opera and Musical Theatre, and even more who are enjoying being lifelong musicians and appreciators of music while pursuing other careers. Mrs. Council’s passion projects are making music education and performance accessible, equitable and inclusive for all students. 

Fun fact! Mrs. Council has only taught at schools she attended as a student! (PWSH Class of 2002!)

Mrs. Council resides in Plano with her husband, Doug, who is also a Choir Director in a neighboring school district. Mr. and Mrs. Council have a 6th grade son, Mason, and Sully and Stella, her rescue dogs.

Chi-Chi King
Alto Section Leader

Chi-Chi King was the Head Director of Choirs at Keller High School for 21 years where her choirs have consistently won the Sweepstakes Trophy at UIL Concert and Sightreading Contests and 1st place trophies at music festivals in Texas, Florida, and California. Her choirs have also traveled to Europe where they performed in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Bath Abbey in Bath, England, Sant Stefano al Ponte in Florence, Italy, Sant’ Agnese in Agone in Rome, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, and Chartres and Rouen Cathedrals in France. Mrs. King served as the Region 2 Vocal Chair from 2010-2012. She has been a member of Ft. Worth Chorale since 1984 and serves as the Soprano Section Leader of this performing group.

Mrs. King began her freshman year at Texas Tech University as a cello major. She decided to take voice lessons during summer school following her freshman year and felt an absolute kinship with the singing voice. When she appeared in her 1st opera production as a gypsy in Bizet’s Carmen, she was hooked. She sold the cello for a piano and never looked back. She has performed in many college and repertory musicals and operettas, and has sung as a soloist in many churches, weddings, and at other functions. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Texas Tech University, and a Masters in Music Education with Vocal Pedagogy Emphasis degree from the University of North Texas. Mrs. King has been nominated several times to Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers and received the UIL Sponsorship Excellence Award at Keller High School in 2000. In 2012, her Varsity Mixed Choir was asked to perform for the State Board of Education in Austin. And in 2013-2014, her Varsity Treble Choir, the Chanteurs, was selected to perform for the Texas Music Educators Association in San Antonio, a huge honor only given to a few choirs each year. She is also the recipient of the 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year for Keller High School. Mrs. King resides in Keller with her husband.

Doug Council
Tenor Section Leader

Doug Council is currently serving his 12^th year as Director of Choirs at Berkner HS in Richardson, and 15^th year teaching. Mr. Council received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from The University of North Texas. His choirs have received many honors, including Best in Class Awards, and consistent UIL Sweepstakes Awards.  Choirs under Mr. Council’s direction have been invited to perform with University choirs such as University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M Commerce.  In 2016 A Cappella choir was invited to perform in a combined HS choir with world renowned composer Eric Whitacre and the Dallas Winds.  Mr. Council is an enthusiastic collaborator, having served as music director for 10 musicals, and has achieved significant success with students of all music ability levels, and learning styles. Mr. Council is the past TMEA Region 3 Vocal Chair, and has served as the TMEA Texas All-State Tenor/Bass Choir Section Leader.  Mr. Council has helped to place over 30 students in the TMEA Texas All State Choir. He is a sought after choral clinician, and soloist around the state of Texas. Mr. Council has given workshops at the Texas Choir Director’s Association Convention. He holds professional memberships in TMEA, TCDA,  TMAA, and ACDA.

Evan Ramos
Tenor Section Leader

Evan Ramos is the choir director at Argyle High School.  He previously worked at Carroll Senior High School, Rowlett High School, Jasper High School, and multiple Plano middle schools.

Mr. Ramos is also a published composer and arranger whose works have been performed at colleges, schools, churches, and conventions around the world. His pieces, “O Magnum Mysterium”, for TTB choir, and “One Light”, for TTB choir won “Best Overall” and “Best in Class” respectively at the 2015 and 2016 TMEA Composition Competition hosted by the College Division. Mr. Ramos is a proud member of TMEA, TCDA, ACDA and ASCAP.

Da’On Boulanger-Chatman
Bass Section Leader

Mr. Boulanger-Chatman  is currently the Director of Choirs at Lakeview Centennial High School. Prior to his post at Lakeview, Mr. Boulanger-Chatman held the post as Associate Director of Choirs at Prosper High School. Mr. Boulanger-Chatman is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin University. While at SFA, Mr. Boulanger-Chatman earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education with all-level certification and a master’s degree in Music Conducting.

In addition to his teaching tenure, Mr. Boulanger-Chatman is an avid performer. He is a former 7-year member of the Dallas Symphony Chorus and has been invited to sing with the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra as a tenor soloist. His professional performing career has taken him to many states and countries, most frequently in Europe. A highlight would be a choir tour with a performing stop in the Pope’s very own Vatican. Mr. Boulanger-Chatman is very active throughout the choral community, providing choral clinics for colleagues in and around Dallas to as far as East Texas. Mr. Boulanger-Chatman is most grateful for the daily opportunity he has to work with his students and he hopes that his students learn by his example, that passion and perseverance in what you love can touch the lives of others and leave a lasting mark on the world making it a better place.

Lance Newman
Bass Section Leader

Lance Newman is in his 12th year of teaching overall and 2nd year as head choir director at Trinity High School in Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. Mr. Newman has consistently achieved Sweepstakes ratings at UIL and has consistently placed students in TMEA and TCDA Honor Choirs. Mr. Newman previously assisted at Arlington High School for one year, and, before that, led the choral program at Euless Junior High for six years. He started his career as assistant choir director at Briarhill MS in Lewisville ISD for three years.

Mr. Newman grew up in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford area where he was a student at Harwood Junior High and graduated from Trinity High School in 2007. He spent his junior year of high school in the Raleigh area of North Carolina and attended the Governor’s School of North Carolina for choral studies in Summer 2006. He attended the University of North Texas College of Music and received a Bachelor’s of Music Education with honors. In 2011, Mr. Newman was chosen to represent UNT as a TCDA Student Conductor. While at UNT, Mr. Newman served the All-State Choir Camp for three summers as camp counselor and three additional summers as assistant camp director. In 2020, Mr. Newman finished his second journey at UNT by completing the Master’s of Music Education program. 

Outside of teaching, Mr. Newman serves as senior bass section leader in the University Christian Church Chancel Choir, and has previously been honored to perform with Fort Worth Chorale, Voices of Fort Worth, Highland Park Chorale, and the Dallas Symphony Chorus. Mr. Newman enjoys spending time with his wife Nadia (herself a Trinity alum whom he met in choir!) In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies, listening to his record collection, playing video games, and participating in trivia competitions.

Marisan Corsino
Mezzo-Soprano

Marisan Corsino has captivated audiences with her “deep and honeyed tone voice and alluring stage presence” (Candace Evans- director). She believes that “music is the art of communication that unites people around the world and therefore a key instrument for life itself.”

She has performed with renowned orchestras, opera companies, and festivals, such as the Fort Worth Symphony and the Dallas Opera, and presented recitals nationally and internationally in Austria, Spain, Puerto Rico, China, Bolivia, Boston’s Jordan Hall, and NY’s Carnegie Hall. She has portrayed different operatic roles, from Hansel in Hansel and Gretel to Carmen by Bizet, among others.

As an equal lover of both operatic and jazz repertoire, Ms. Corsino’s vocal and dramatic versatility has allowed her to portray the roles of Carmen as well as debut, as a Jazz singer, at South on Main in Little Rock (AR) singing repertoire of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn.

Marisan is an avid performer of new music, premiering roles such as Clementine from the opera Clara by Victoria Bond, at the Cutting Edge New Music festival in NYC, with much success. As a concert artist, she has been an active recitalist and oratorio performer making her debut as a soloist with the Fort Worth Symphony. She has presented recitals nationally and internationally, in places such as China, Puerto Rico, Boston’s Jordan Hall, and New York’s Carnegie Hall. In 2019, she was invited to present a recital/lecture at East China Normal University in Shanghai, China. She was also asked to perform in the virtual recital series offered by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Santa Cruz in Bolivia. She has taught voice at places such as the University of Georgia, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Central Arkansas. Ms. Corsino has also presented international lectures and masterclasses, in places such as the East China Normal University (Shanghai, China), and with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, among others.

Ms. Corsino received her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Music in Vocal performance, with a concentration in music in education, from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. She obtained her Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

Christopher Curcuruto
Bass-Baritone

Christopher Curcuruto, a seasoned bass-baritone in the realm of opera, is renowned for his exceptional vocal artistry and unwavering dedication to the stage. His career boasts a diverse repertoire and a profound passion for both opera and theatrical presentation.

Christopher’s operatic journey encompasses a rich tapestry of roles, spotlighting his remarkable versatility and artistic depth. He has excelled in pivotal roles including Mozart’s leading funny-men Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Leporello (Don Giovanni), and demonstrated stentorian gravitas balanced with compassionate pathos in roles such as Donizetti’s Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor), and Rossini’s Alidoro (La Cenerentola). His performances as Zweiter Soldat in a concert production of Strauss’ Salome presented by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Fabio Luisi, Melani’s Giove in L’Europa for the Olomouc Baroque Festival under Maestro Paul Leenhouts, and Alidoro in Rossini’s La Cenerentola with Nashville Opera under Maestro Dean Williamson marked noteworthy milestones in Christopher’s career. 

Beyond the stage, Christopher’s commitment to opera education is evident in his involvement in productions like Jack and the Beanstalk with The Dallas Opera and Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World with Fort Worth Opera, designed to introduce opera to a broader audience. Christopher’s dedication to opera education extends to his current role as Director of Opera, Instructor of Vocal Pedagogy, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Texas at Arlington, having commenced in the fall of 2023. His comprehensive training includes experiences as an Emerging Artist with Nashville Opera, an Education Artist with The Dallas Opera, and a Studio Artist with Fort Worth Opera, all contributing to his exceptional skill set. Christopher is currently a doctoral candidate and will complete his Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas in May 2024.

David Grogan
Baritone

David Grogan has performed extensively throughout the Southwest to critical acclaim. The Dallas Morning News hailed Mr. Grogan as the “perfect Christus” after a performance of the St. Matthew Passion with the Dallas Bach Society. The Albuquerque Tribune, in reference to a performance of Messiah with the New Mexico Symphony, said, “David Grogan had all the range and power required of the part, sounding like the voice of doom in ‘The people that walked in darkness’ and the light of revelation in ‘The trumpet shall sound.’” A recent performance of Elijah had critics praising his ability to “move easily from stentorian declamation to lyrical aria.” Another critic said that he “….brought an impressive vocal power to the lead role of Elijah, and his rich emotive gift set the level for the other chief performers.” He has performed as a soloist with many Dallas area arts groups including the Dallas Bach Society, Texas Baroque Ensemble, Orpheus Chamber Singers, Mesquite Civic Chorus, and the Allegro Artists, as well as at several Texas universities. Recent performances include Elijah with the New Mexico Symphony, Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Arlington Master Chorale, and the Beethoven Missa Solemnis with the Plano Civic Chorus. Grogan looks forward to his performance of the Brahms Requiemunder Helmuth Rilling this fall.

Grogan joined the faculty at the University of Texas Arlington in the fall of 2009, first as visiting professor and in 2010 as tenure-track Assistant Professor of Voice. In addition to providing private vocal instruction for voice majors, Grogan teaches vocal pedagogy, voice class, and choral methods. His background in choral music education is extensive, including experience directing programs in both private and public schools across the metroplex. As choir director at Dallas Christian School from 1996 to 2000, Dr. Grogan increased choir participation from 15 members to 115, and took the choir to one of the first TPSMEA competitions. He has taught voice and served as assistant choral director in some of the most prominent programs in the area, including at Arlington High School under Dinah Menger, and Manor Middle School under Tommy Haygood.

Grogan holds Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Texas Christian University, where he studied voice with Sheila Allen and pedagogy with Vincent Russo. His love of choral music was solidified under the tutelage of the late Ronald Shirey, who taught Grogan much of his musicality. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy in 2010 from the University of North Texas, where he studied voice with Jeffrey Snider, pedagogy with Stephen Austin, and worked closely with Lyle Nordstrom in the early music program. Dr. Grogan’s dissertation was on the vocal pedagogy of Frederic W. Root, who was an American vocal pedagogue of the 19th century. A shorter version of the dissertation was published in the January 2010 Journal of Singing under the title, “The Roots of American Pedagogy.”

Jenna White
Camp Director

Jenna White is currently an assistant director at the Arlington High School choral department. Ms. White was raised in Arlington, TX and is a proud graduate of Arlington High School. Upon her graduation from college, she was the assistant director at Ousley Junior High School in Arlington ISD.

Ms. White received her Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Arlington and studied voice with Dr. Jennifer Ciobanu. While at UTA, Ms. White sang with the A Cappella choir under the direction of Dr. Karen Kenaston-French. She was a member of the choir that performed at the 2019 TMEA Convention in San Antonio.