By Dottie Marvin

In this 2022-2023 school year, the director of the AMCHS choir, Emily Ramos, has four talented musicians helping her lead the choir into a successful year. They each bring in something different, yet essential, to the program and are passionate about their career in music. Because they add so much to the program behind closed curtains, they each deserve a place in the spotlight.

Mrs. Gregory

Kara Gregory is a voice teacher at AMCHS who works with kids individually to further their abilities and sing more confidently. 

“I thought I was going to teach math because I liked math,” Kara Gregory said. “I always knew I wanted to teach. My mom was a teacher, my grandmother was a teacher, three of my four aunts were teachers. It was what I was good at already. I was good at knowing information, and then helping somebody else learn that.”

Gregory went to college for music education where she grew her appreciation for those who teach music, particularly her vocal coach.

“[My teacher] was a huge influence on me, she helped me be able to sing out loud and be who I was,” Gregory said. “You cannot be a teacher and not be patient. And you cannot be a teacher and not know how to encourage people.”

Although she directed high school choirs, Gregory discovered that her abilities were best used in a one-on-one setting.

“[I] started doing private vocal lessons and private piano lessons. I adore it and I would never want to do anything else,” Gregory said. “I honestly feel like this is probably what I always wanted to do. It’s really helped me see the good in everybody.”

Mr Russell

Weston Russell is the accompanist for the AMCHS choir, performing at every concert and helping give kids their pitches in class.

“Nobody in my family is remotely musical,” Weston Russell said. “The choir director came up to me at church and she said, ‘I want you to be my choir.’ I laughed in her face because I couldn’t sing, but she went behind my back and got my schedule changed. So I was in choir my freshman year and I ended up loving it.”

Because of his teacher’s decisions, Russell was able to discover his passion for music. 

“My choir director was also a phenomenal piano player. She really helped me start off strong,” Russell said. “I’m always practicing something. But it’s always a breath of fresh air to see how different people react and think about different types of music. Being able to incorporate that into how I think about music has been really helpful for my growth.”

Given the opportunity to play here, at AMCHS, has helped Russell have a creative outlet and practice what he loves.

“I love what I do. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” Russell said. “I love everybody in choir [and] I hope that I have impacted as many people as have impacted me.”

Mr. Stout

Brian Stout is the A&M Consolidated Middle School choir director who travels to the High School and helps Mrs. Ramos teach high schoolers their voice parts. 

“Everybody in my family is a musician,” Brian Stout said. “We were always very musical growing up. I started singing with my mom in church and that got me interested in doing the whole choir thing.”

Ever since then, Stout has been passionate about music, even learning instruments such as the drums, bass, and guitar.

“I went to college for music,” Stout said. “And also taught voice [lessons] privately at the high school and outside of the school setting.”

After looking at how music can become a focal point in his life, Stout ended up with a job he loves.

“The job at AMCMS opened up and I applied for it. [I’ve] been there for the last six years,” Stout said. “My goal is for kids to come into my program having a better or deeper appreciation for music than when they got there. I’m here to help you become a better person.”

Tyler Lewis

Tyler Lewis helps teach and choreograph our school’s a capella group, A-side, and has helped them win national competitions. 

“I started singing when I was two so I’ve been practicing music for 25 years now,” Lewis said. “Most of my training began [in] church choir where I learned to hear harmonies and have that natural talent of harmonizing.”

After doing band all throughout high school, Lewis went to Texas A&M University and joined their a capella group, HardChord DynaMix. After winning two outstanding soloists awards, Ramos knew Lewis would be more than qualified to help with A-side’s choreography.

“It literally was just happenstance,” Lewis said. “I came in to do choreography but I saw so much potential and took over from there. I am so passionate about the art of a capella [and] I’m also super competitive.”

With Lewis in charge, the program has grown exponentially; not only in success as a team, but in the development of each singer, Lewis included.

“It’s helped me with listening, and being able to hear certain nuances. I can hear when people are sharp and flat, especially when it comes to blending,” Lewis said. “It’s helped me with patience because [while] working with kids, you have to have that. I think a lot of [kids] come in and don’t actually know what this art is about and how to do it well. I’m satisfied with what I’m doing now.”