Carroll Choir Private Voice Faculty
Kristen McKinley is a classically-trained singer and pianist with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in vocal music from Centenary College of Louisiana, and a Master of Educational Administration degree from LSU. She has experience in music theater (performing and music directing), opera, recording studios, television, contemporary Christian, praise and worship, accompanying, and church music. She has performed with the Fort Worth Opera, Lyric Stage, Regal Opera Company, Watertower Theatre, Continental Singers tour, and many local theaters. She served seven years on the board of directors as Audition Chair for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), and she is currently the webmaster. She is also a member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) as the publications chair and on their scholarship committee, and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA). She has been a choir director in public schools in Louisiana and Texas and worked as a private teacher for 30 years. She has consistently had students who are NATS finalists and in the Texas All-State Choir every year. You can see her full biography at www.studioofkristenmckinley.com .
Monica Dane – Monica received her Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy from Texas Woman’s University while studying under Master Pedagogue, Joan Wall. She received her Bachelor of Music with a concentrate in Musical Theatre from The University of Texas at Arlington and She also earned her alternative teaching certification for Music K-12 from ECAP.
Ms. Dane has experience teaching many genres of music from Classical, Broadway (Show Tunes), and Pop, among many others. She performed with The Regal Opera Company in the Metroplex for over 20 years in various roles, as well The Promise in Glenrose, TX in 2001 for a 6 month-run as a feature soloist playing The Woman at the Well. Monica had the wonderful opportunity to be an “off-stage singer” in Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby at Bass Hall. She also has experience in Radio/Television performing live as well as pre-recorded shows. During the summer, you can find her at Theatre Arlington musical directing the Summer Theatre Camps for ages 6-16. During the Holiday season, she performs as a professional Victorian caroler with Holiday Cheer Entertainment.
Ms. Dane has taught voice and musical theatre for almost 30 years and currently teaches voice at Southlake Carroll Senior High School, Trinity Springs Middle School and Trinity Meadows Intermediate School as well as her home studio and STARS Theater Company. She has previously taught voice In Grapevine/Colleyville ISD, HEB ISD and Birdville ISD as well as private schools in the Metroplex. She also has previously taught voice at Casa Manana, Theatre Arlington, Lifesong Studio, The Master’s Touch School of Music and Creative Arts Theatre & School. Many of her students have been successful under her instruction including Grammy nominated and 9-time Dove Award nominated (four of which she won) Singer, Songwriter and Worship Leader, Kari Jobe. Ms. Dane is a current member and adjudicator of TMEA and NATS. Her voice students participating in High School All-State and Middle School All-Region continue to be very successful under her instruction.
Ms. Dane has experience teaching many genres of music from Classical, Broadway (Show Tunes), and Pop, among many others. She performed with The Regal Opera Company in the Metroplex for over 20 years in various roles, as well The Promise in Glenrose, TX in 2001 for a 6 month-run as a feature soloist playing The Woman at the Well. Monica had the wonderful opportunity to be an “off-stage singer” in Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby at Bass Hall. She also has experience in Radio/Television performing live as well as pre-recorded shows. During the summer, you can find her at Theatre Arlington musical directing the Summer Theatre Camps for ages 6-16. During the Holiday season, she performs as a professional Victorian caroler with Holiday Cheer Entertainment.
Ms. Dane has taught voice and musical theatre for almost 30 years and currently teaches voice at Southlake Carroll Senior High School, Trinity Springs Middle School and Trinity Meadows Intermediate School as well as her home studio and STARS Theater Company. She has previously taught voice In Grapevine/Colleyville ISD, HEB ISD and Birdville ISD as well as private schools in the Metroplex. She also has previously taught voice at Casa Manana, Theatre Arlington, Lifesong Studio, The Master’s Touch School of Music and Creative Arts Theatre & School. Many of her students have been successful under her instruction including Grammy nominated and 9-time Dove Award nominated (four of which she won) Singer, Songwriter and Worship Leader, Kari Jobe. Ms. Dane is a current member and adjudicator of TMEA and NATS. Her voice students participating in High School All-State and Middle School All-Region continue to be very successful under her instruction.
Eisha Epps is a private voice instructor, worship leader, and freelance singer in the DFW area. She studied voice at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia and received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (K-12). She directed middle school choirs for seven years and developed a successful choral program at a brand-new school. Her choirs consistently achieved top scores and rankings at district and regional contests. Eisha has taught private voice lessons to middle school and high school students, most recently in Carroll, HEB, and Keller school districts. She has over twenty years of professional and civic vocal performance experience as a soloist and as a choir member in premiere a capella choirs in Virginia, the Richmond Symphony Chorus, and churches. She is experienced in performing and teaching multiple genres of music including classical, opera, musical theater, pop, and sacred songs. Eisha is currently enjoying her eleventh season singing with the Fort Worth Chorale under the direction of Dr. Karen Kenaston-French, Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas Arlington. In addition to teaching, Eisha is the worship leader in the Founder's Chapel at Whites Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas. She is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).