Mr. Jones, Voice/Piano Instructor
Mr. Jones has been singing all his life, he started at the early age of six in church and school choirs where he performed in many programs as a solo performer. As a young child he was selected to be a member of a select group of singers that toured Texas and surrounding areas. He was an Allstate Choir member of Texas for all of his four high school years and won 1st place in Solo/Ensemble Contest for all four of his high school years. Mr. Jones taught public school on all levels in his career and at one time directed five different performing choirs who won numerous awards at Choral and Sightreading Contests.
Mr. Jones is a graduate of Howard Payne University located in Brownwood, Texas where he graduated with honors earing a B.M.E Degree with a voice concentrate. He studied with Dr. Bill Anders and went on to earn a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Houston, studying with Dr. Stephen Harbachick. While at the University of Houston, he gave numerous classical recitals which encompassed all classical vocal genres and also musical theater genres. Mr. Jones was selected to sing with the Concert Chorale of Houston under the direction of Dr. David Wehr where he was principal tenor soloist for three years. He then was asked to be the Principal Tenor soloist with the Falcon singers of San Antonio where he was flown every weekend to and from Houston for rehearsals and performances. He sang with this group for two years and they performed all over Texas and San Antonio. Over a ten year period he performed with Casa Manana Theatre where he did musical equity roles in The Music Man, Oklahoma, Brigadoon, Westside Story, Grease, My Fair Lady, just to name a few. He also did minor compramario roles with Houston Grand Opera for three years doing Joe in Girl of the Golden West, Ruiz in Il Trovatore. He had the thrill and privilege to sing alongside the famous Joan Sutherland and Martina Arroyo. Mr. Jones also sang with Theatre Under the Stars where he worked with Frank Young and did Ciccio in Most Happy Fella and sang the opening to the show in Kismet with the famed Howard Keel. Mr. Keel encouraged him to go to New York and explore his singing options there.
In 2001, Mr. Jones moved to St. Peters and opened a music teaching studio with Mr. Krueger. Together, they built a most viable and well respected music teaching studio offering private lessons in Piano, Guitar, Flute. Mr. Jones started a Showchoir while there and they performed all over the St. Peters, Ofallon, St. Louis area. In 2010 the entire cultural arts center of St. Peters moved to the City Hall complex on Mexico Road and new studios were built and the name changed to St. Peters Performing Arts Studio. Private music lessons in Piano, Voice, Guitar, Violin/Viola, Saxophone are offered to all ages. Since 2002, the studio has been a member of the Mid-America Music Festival which is a competition in all instruments. Mr. Jones has had five Most Outstanding Young Performer winners which is the highest score in Musical Theatre Vocal Division. He also had the top Virtuoso winner in Classical Voice in 2007. In 2008 Mr. Krueger has the top Virtuoso winner in Classical Piano.
Mr. Jones specializes in teaching solid vocal technique which works for all vocal styles, correct breathing, vocal placement, enunciation/diction, vocal expression, vocal articulation, intonation, ear training, characterization, stage performance techniques. He grooms students for musical careers and also District and State Solo/Ensemble Contests. He specializes in grooming high school students for B.F.A college programs in Musical Theater and also any Performance Music Degrees. His knowledge of the audition experience is invaluable for those seeking performance college programs. Mr. Jones is a member of NATS(National Association Teachers of Singing where he is in good standing. He has been active in this organization for three years and has been a judge for all three years. He had the first and third place winner in Musical Theater NATS Musical Theater Competition at Webster University in Fall of 2012 and had first and second place winners in High School Female and Male Division in Musical Theater in 2013. In 2014 he has two second place winners in Musical Theater Division. He also had the First and Fifth place winner in the Sing For Scholarship Competition sponsored by the Tidelanders, a female barbershop group in 2012 and in 2014 had the Fifth place winner in this competition, all winners winning substantial money prizes.
Mr. Jones expertise as a vocal instructor encompasses all styles of singing and his expertise is grooming kids for district and state tryouts as well as those students wanting to pursue a B.F.A in Musical Theater. He has over forty years teaching experience with a Masters in Vocal Performance as well as extensive Performing experience in Musical Theater and also the vocal classical genres, having performed with Houston Grand Opera and TUTS and Casa Manana in Fort Worth, Texas doing equity musical theater for ten seasons. He also is a member of National Association Singing Teachers of America(NATS) and has had two first place winners in musical theater in 2013 and second and third place winners in 2014. He has had numerous Most Outstanding Music Theater winners at Mid America Music Festival since 2002. He is a strong technique teacher and his students go on to successful careers in the music field as performers and teachers.