Kristen Brannan –
Ms. Brannan enjoys a full teaching schedule at GACS. She encourages her students to participate in recitals and competitions. Piano students work to earn trophies for their diligent practice, progress and performances. Many of her voice students are involved the theatre program and have had roles in school musicals. Others have participated in All-State Chorus, Governor's Honors Program, and placed at Literary Competition. Ms. Brannan is a graduate of Shorter College, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. While at Shorter, Ms. Brannan was a frequent soloist for the Shorter Chorale and has performed in Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic. She has also sung several roles in the opera program at Shorter, including Despina (Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte), Miss Pinkerton (Menotti’s Old Maid and the Thief) and the title role of Offenbach’s La Perichole. In the summer of 2002, Ms. Brannan participated in the opera studio of the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, where she was featured in the operetta concert series. Ms. Brannan was a regional finalist in the 2003 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Young audiences may remember her from Atlanta Opera Studio productions of Dr. Miracle or Little Red Riding Hood. She has been a member of the Atlanta Opera Chorus since 2000, and has most recently appeared in their February production of Romeo and Juliet. Upcoming engagements are guest recital at Georgia Perimeter College on March 28 at 12:15 (with Susan Sigmon on piano and Kathy Farmer on flute). She will offer the same program on April 15 at 3 pm in the chapel at Smoke Rise Baptist Church. Ms. Brannan will also appear as soprano soloist in Smoke Rise's presentation of Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise in the 11:00 worship service on May 6. All events are free admission.
Riza Hequibal –
Ms. Hequibal has been playing the harp professionally for over seventeen years
Riza pursued her undergraduate studies (from 1990 - 1993 in both classical and jazz disciplines) at the Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, IN under the instruction of Distinguished Professor of Harp - Susan McDonald and equally renowned Professor of Jazz - David Baker. She has also studied with ground breaking jazz harpist, Deborah Henson-Conant. In 1994, Riza received her Bachelors of Music from Columbia College, Chicago, IL where she continued her studies in jazz. She is currently completing a Master of Music from Georgia State University's School of Music under the instruction of Elisabeth Remy, Principal Harpist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Though Riza’s main focus has been in Harp Performance, her ability and desire to direct has allowed her to coach and work with numerous ensembles of various sizes and ages. She recently led ensembles in performing Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp, Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro and Debussy’s Trio Sonate. She has always found much reward in helping ensembles achieve complete unity and intuitive musicianship.
Luda Kwon –
GACS School of Music is very excited to welcome Miss Kwon to our faculty. Miss Kwon is a local student, graduating from Wheeler High School in Marietta. After high school, Miss Kwon continued her music study receieving a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Shorter College in Rome, GA; and her master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from University of Tennessee Knoxville. “I hope, pray, and believe that God continues to bless me and my life with his endless mercy, and leads me with his good will. For me to grow as a musician and God’s instrument who is not just pressing the keyboard but making an impression on each soul and heart. I surrender ALL. Thank you for your interest and thoughtful consideration God Bless You, In Christ, Luda”
Timothy Miller –
Mr. Miller received his B.A, in Vocal Performance from Morehouse College, and continued his education to receive his Master’s in Vocal Performance from Mannes College in New York, New York. While studying at Mannes, Mr. Miller was staff singer/soloist at The Riverside Church, New York, New York. Currently, he is a member of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Mr. Miller teaches part-time on the voice faculty of Morehouse College. He lives in Jonesboro as newly wed having just married July 16, 2006 after knowing his wife since 1998. Mr. Miller’s most recent major performances include soloist at funeral of the late Coretta Scott King, The Life and Times of Malcolm X with Oakland Opera, appearances with Capitol City Opera, and soloist with the chorale at Glen Memorial Chapel at Emory University..
Chalis Montgomery -
Mrs. Montgomery has been a member of the GACS Music Enrichment faculty since 2002. While maintaining a full studio at GACS, Mrs. Montgomery is also an active musician. Mrs. Montgomery can currently be seen as Hansel in Capitol City Opera's touring production of Hansel and Gretel. Mrs. Montgomery was also cast in the roll of Grandmother in the Atlanta Opera’s educational outreach production of Little Red Riding Hood. Currently, she is the soloist in residence at Glen Memorial Chapel in Atlanta, Georgia at Emory University. She was recently a semi-finalist in the Meistersinger competition held in Graz, Austria and has sung under the batons of Edoardo Mueller, Cornelius Eberhart, Marius Stieghorst, and Fred Scott. Mrs. Montgomery holds a B.M. from the University of Mississippi, with Master's studies at Georgia State. Mrs. Montgomery calls Bethlehem, GA. home, where she lives with her loving husband Ken Montgomery.
Joy Sullivan –
Mrs. Sullivan is a 2004 graduate of Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, receiving a Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy. While at Shorter, Joy received honors in Piano Pedagogy as well as the Music Teachers National Association Student Achievement Recognition Award. Joy grew up in Claxton, Georgia and studied piano for 10 years before going to college. While in high school, Joy won state and regional piano competitions, and received several awards at the collegiate level from the Georgia Music Teachers Association competitions. Joy’s passion is to teach piano to students of all skill levels. While studying at Shorter, Joy taught private lessons for many different students of all ages and skills. She was also involved in teaching a group piano class at Shorter. Since her youth, Joy was the church accompanist at Pineview Baptist Church in Reidsville, Georgia where her father is the pastor. More recently, she has accompanied for the Shorter Chorale, the Shorter Chorus and area churches in Rome, Georgia as well as filling in at Briarlake Baptist Church and the Gwinnett County Choral Guild here in Atlanta. Joy moved to Atlanta in June 2004 after graduating from Shorter in May.
Heather Witt –
Ms. Witt is a recent graduate of Georgia State University where she received her masters in voice performance. Her bachelor in voice performance was earned at Millikin University. Her performance experience is broad and spans both musical theatre repertoire as well as classical. She has been seen in productions in Italy as well as the United States and is currently performing with the Atlanta Opera Chorus. Ms. Witt is a mezzo-soprano who has most recently been seen in Albert Herring as Mrs. Herring. She currently studies with Kathryn Hartgrove
