Faculty and Staff
The Music Conservatory at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts has enjoyed decades of providing outstanding music experiences for students. This success has been built upon a strong work ethic and desire to be the eminent high school music program both nationally and internationally. Our faculty are some of the most respected professional musicians and educators in the nation.
The Music Conservatory at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts has enjoyed decades of providing outstanding music experiences for students. This success has been built upon a strong work ethic and desire to be the eminent high school music program both nationally and internationally. Our faculty are some of the most respected professional musicians and educators in the nation.
Music Faculty of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts: Photos by Vonda Klimaszewski
Read Jasmine barnes' bio
Jasmine Arielle Barnes, of Baltimore, MD, is a promising composer/vocaIist who has performed and has had her music performed all over the world. She is a multifaceted composer who embraces any writing style of music using a variety of instrumentation and specializes in writing for the voice. She proved her musical prowess in her debut composition concert entitled "Reality Race and Religion." The Concert featured major performers like Marquita Lister, Leah Hawkins, conductors like Jordan Smith, Angelo Johnson, James Mayo, Symphony Number One Chamber Orchestra, Choir and many more talented performers and conductors. As a vocalist, She's been made familiar to The Dallas Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival, The White House (Obama administration), The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, The Meyerhoff, and numerous other companies and venues in and out of the US.
She holds her Bachelor of Arts in Music (Vocal Studies) and Master of Arts in Music (Composition) from Morgan State University in Baltimore Maryland. Her Master of Arts in Music was earned as a Composition student studying under Dr. James Lee III and her Bachelor of Arts in Music was earned as a vocal student studying under Marquita Lister. She held the esteemed pleasure of being a Graduate Teaching Assistant teaching Music Theory and Aural Skifls to students of Morgan State University. She is a proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity Inc. founded in 1903, an organization to world class singers, composers, conductors, and more acclaimed music career holders. One motto of Sigma Alpha Iota that Jasmine holds true to her life as an artist is "Vita Brevis, Ars Longa" which translates from Latin to English as "Life is Short, Art is Long". She believes that giving your all to music, contributing to the art, and teaching what you've learned is truly upholding Art and being a true musician.
She holds her Bachelor of Arts in Music (Vocal Studies) and Master of Arts in Music (Composition) from Morgan State University in Baltimore Maryland. Her Master of Arts in Music was earned as a Composition student studying under Dr. James Lee III and her Bachelor of Arts in Music was earned as a vocal student studying under Marquita Lister. She held the esteemed pleasure of being a Graduate Teaching Assistant teaching Music Theory and Aural Skifls to students of Morgan State University. She is a proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity Inc. founded in 1903, an organization to world class singers, composers, conductors, and more acclaimed music career holders. One motto of Sigma Alpha Iota that Jasmine holds true to her life as an artist is "Vita Brevis, Ars Longa" which translates from Latin to English as "Life is Short, Art is Long". She believes that giving your all to music, contributing to the art, and teaching what you've learned is truly upholding Art and being a true musician.
William George-Twyman
Head of Choral Studies
Room 130
Phone: 972 925 1229
Email: wigeorge@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/williamgeorge
Head of Choral Studies
Room 130
Phone: 972 925 1229
Email: wigeorge@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/williamgeorge
Read william george-twyman's bio
William George is A.B.D. in the Doctor of Musical Arts program in Choral Conducting at the University of Oklahoma, where he as the 2016 recipient of the Outstanding Choral Leadership Award from the school of music.
William comes with many years of choral conducting experience at the middle and high school levels, as well as in the collegiate, semi-professional, and liturgical arenas. He has studied with great conductors such as Dr. Richard Zielinski (University of Oklahoma), Dr. Carmen-Helena Tellez (University of Notre Dame), Dr. Eric Stark (Butler University), and Dr. Gary Anderson (Transylvania University). His masterclass experience includes workshops with Dr. Tim Sharp (American Choral Directors Association), Dr. Craig Hella-Johnson (Conspirare), Simon Carrington (The King's Singers), and Dale Warland (Dale Warland Singers).
Striving to find connections between Classical-era repertoire and modern music, William is known for innovative programming ideas and multimedia collaborations. He has served as pit conductor for several musical theatre productions, most recently a performance of the Tony award-winning "Coram Boy" in partnership with the University of Oklahoma School of Musical Theatre. William has also prepared opera choruses, conducted new music by living composers, and performed internationally as both singer and conductor.
In addition to being an accomplished choral conductor, William is a trained countertenor, having performed in Handel's "Messiah" (University of Notre Dame), Bach's "Magnificat in D Major" (St. Mark the Evangelist, Plano, Texas) and numerous early music groups.
Previous degrees include a Master of Sacred Music degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Butler University, and Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Transylvania University.
William comes with many years of choral conducting experience at the middle and high school levels, as well as in the collegiate, semi-professional, and liturgical arenas. He has studied with great conductors such as Dr. Richard Zielinski (University of Oklahoma), Dr. Carmen-Helena Tellez (University of Notre Dame), Dr. Eric Stark (Butler University), and Dr. Gary Anderson (Transylvania University). His masterclass experience includes workshops with Dr. Tim Sharp (American Choral Directors Association), Dr. Craig Hella-Johnson (Conspirare), Simon Carrington (The King's Singers), and Dale Warland (Dale Warland Singers).
Striving to find connections between Classical-era repertoire and modern music, William is known for innovative programming ideas and multimedia collaborations. He has served as pit conductor for several musical theatre productions, most recently a performance of the Tony award-winning "Coram Boy" in partnership with the University of Oklahoma School of Musical Theatre. William has also prepared opera choruses, conducted new music by living composers, and performed internationally as both singer and conductor.
In addition to being an accomplished choral conductor, William is a trained countertenor, having performed in Handel's "Messiah" (University of Notre Dame), Bach's "Magnificat in D Major" (St. Mark the Evangelist, Plano, Texas) and numerous early music groups.
Previous degrees include a Master of Sacred Music degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Butler University, and Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Transylvania University.
Michael Jacko
Director of Music Conservatory, Head of Orchestral Studies
Room 269, Main Building
Phone: 972 925 1234
Email: mjacko@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/michaeljacko
Director of Music Conservatory, Head of Orchestral Studies
Room 269, Main Building
Phone: 972 925 1234
Email: mjacko@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/michaeljacko
Read michael jacko's bio
Michael Jacko has served as the conductor of the Maryland Sinfonietta and Assistant Conductor for the Capital City Symphony and the National Gallery of Art Orchestra in Washington, D.C. He holds an M.F.A. in orchestral conducting from Bard College and a D.M.A. in instrumental conducting from the University of Maryland, College Park. A devotee of American symphonic music, Michael completed his doctoral thesis at the University of Maryland, in which he discussed the new editions of Charles Ives's Fourth Symphony.
He recently conducted the Maryland Sinfonietta in the opening program of the National Gallery's 65th American Music Festival, which featured a selection of works by Cage, Copland and Ives that the Washington Post called "fascinating," "illuminating," and "a rich study in American mythmaking."
Michael began his conducting study while pursuing a degree from the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics at Georgetown University. While at Georgetown, he conducted the University Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Michael completed further studies at Bard College, the University of Denver, and the University of Maryland, where he served as assistant conductor to various instrumental, choral, and operatic ensembles. While at Bard, he coordinated and conducted a string ensemble for Noemie LaFrance’s site-specific ballet, Rapture, staged atop the magnificent Frank Gehry-designed Richard B. Fisher Center, and he also led the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra as a guest conductor.
He recently conducted the Maryland Sinfonietta in the opening program of the National Gallery's 65th American Music Festival, which featured a selection of works by Cage, Copland and Ives that the Washington Post called "fascinating," "illuminating," and "a rich study in American mythmaking."
Michael began his conducting study while pursuing a degree from the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics at Georgetown University. While at Georgetown, he conducted the University Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Michael completed further studies at Bard College, the University of Denver, and the University of Maryland, where he served as assistant conductor to various instrumental, choral, and operatic ensembles. While at Bard, he coordinated and conducted a string ensemble for Noemie LaFrance’s site-specific ballet, Rapture, staged atop the magnificent Frank Gehry-designed Richard B. Fisher Center, and he also led the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra as a guest conductor.
Larry Schnitzer
Head of Wind Studies
Room 273
Email: lschnitzer@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/larryschnitzer
Head of Wind Studies
Room 273
Email: lschnitzer@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/larryschnitzer
Read larry schnitzer's bio
Larry Schnitzer is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and is a proud alumnus of the Arts Magnet High School at Booker T. Washington. Bands under his direction have received 52 consecutive 1st division ratings at UIL concert and marching competitions, while earning 23 UIL Sweepstakes awards and winning 19 contests at both the regional and national levels in Texas, California, Florida, Louisiana and Missouri. Larry is an active clinician and adjudicator and is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association. He is married to Laura and has one son, Jacob and one daughter, Jessica.
Larry teaches Wind Ensemble, Instrumental Technique, Symphony Orchestra, Music Theory and Conducting. All Wind Ensemble students will find information for classes by logging in to www.charmsoffice.com.
Larry teaches Wind Ensemble, Instrumental Technique, Symphony Orchestra, Music Theory and Conducting. All Wind Ensemble students will find information for classes by logging in to www.charmsoffice.com.
Steve Schrag
Guitar, Music Technology
Phone: 972 925 8263
Email: sschrag@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/stevenschrag
Guitar, Music Technology
Phone: 972 925 8263
Email: sschrag@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/stevenschrag
Read steve schrag's bio
Steve Schrag has played in live bands and studio sessions across the nation, and maintains an active performance schedule in addition to teaching.
Read audra scott's bio
This Award-winning soprano continues the steady ascent of her emerging career. She has received numerous accolades for her stunning vocal quality and artistry, by way of top ranking in both regional and national vocal competitions. Audra has been seen in the role of Strawberry Woman throughout Europe. She has performed with the tour of Porgy & Bess for the past ten years with the Munich-based Company, New York Harlem Theater, and she has been seen in opera houses and theaters such as; Oper Leipzig, Bremen Music Theatre, Kölner Philharmonie, Komische Oper Berlin, Grand Théatre de Genéve, Chassé Theater (Netherlands), Amsterdam RAI, Le Colisée, Opéra de Massey and National theatre Mannheim to name a few. She has also been featured in a concert series entitled, 'Christmas Dreams from America' presented in churches throughout Germany. Audra has been presented in recital throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Houston, Prairie View, Arizona, Minnesota, Utah and California, and has trained as a young artist with Amarillo Opera, Utah Festival Opera, and Dallas Opera. Audra has also been seen at the Historic Jubilee Theater in Fort Worth, TX. She debuted with the Fort Worth Opera as Lily in its production of Porgy & Bess in the Spring of 2019. Audra was recently presented in concert at the Toruń International Music Festival in Toruń, Poland.
As a musician Audra's career does not stop with her, it extends to the education of others. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Prairie View A &M University and a Master of Music from University of Arizona, both degrees specializing in vocal performing. She worked as a voice teacher in Richardson ISD while completing her Artist Certificate from Southern Methodist University. She also taught studio production in Houston for various recording artist. Audra served as a choral director with the Fort Worth Independent School District for eight years. She serves as co-owner/operator of the non- profit organization, Music Mentors of Texas.
Last but certainly not least, Audra has released her first CD, a collection of spirituals and hymns arranged with elements of jazz and classical. The CD is entitled, A Long Road and the single, "Wade in the Water" can be found on iTunes, CD baby and through Audra Scott music on Facebook. Audra dedicates her life to the character building of students and other aspiring musicians through music and world traveling.
As a musician Audra's career does not stop with her, it extends to the education of others. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Prairie View A &M University and a Master of Music from University of Arizona, both degrees specializing in vocal performing. She worked as a voice teacher in Richardson ISD while completing her Artist Certificate from Southern Methodist University. She also taught studio production in Houston for various recording artist. Audra served as a choral director with the Fort Worth Independent School District for eight years. She serves as co-owner/operator of the non- profit organization, Music Mentors of Texas.
Last but certainly not least, Audra has released her first CD, a collection of spirituals and hymns arranged with elements of jazz and classical. The CD is entitled, A Long Road and the single, "Wade in the Water" can be found on iTunes, CD baby and through Audra Scott music on Facebook. Audra dedicates her life to the character building of students and other aspiring musicians through music and world traveling.