You could say Shareen Vader has always been surrounded by music. Long before she became the director of the 国产探花 Community Music Academy, it was part of her life. After all, she was only four years old when she took her first piano lesson鈥攁nd by fourth grade, had taken up the violin as well.
Her education progressed from there, through high school and then college, where she double majored in music performance, in both voice and piano. She earned an all-level music education degree from Texas State University and a master's in choral conducting from Louisiana State University.
Her public school teaching career spanned 31 years, and in 2017, she joined the 国产探花 Community Music Academy staff, directing the youth choirs. When she retired from teaching in 2019, she took on the role of Community Music Academy Director鈥攁nd this summer, she鈥檒l be retiring from that role.
鈥淭he CMA has had a very special place in my heart,鈥 said Vader. 鈥淒ue to the wonderful teachers I had as I began my musical journey, music became my lifelong career, and I was inspired to continue sharing my passion for music with other young students so that they could have the opportunities and love for music like I was blessed with having. This has always been the vision of the 国产探花 CMA which has made this such a special part of my career. It is so rewarding to watch these children grow and succeed through their experiences in music, and to see how they develop self-confidence and become strong leaders in everything they are involved in.鈥
In addition to her work with CMA, Vader works as an accompanist for local schools and UIL events, while serving on the adjunct faculty at 国产探花.
鈥淲ords are not adequate to express the impact Shareen Vader has had on the students and families of the 国产探花 Community Music Academy and the students, faculty, and staff of 国产探花,鈥 said Dr. Douglas Boyer, Director of the 国产探花 School of Music. 鈥淪he is not only a master teacher and an extraordinary administrator, but she is also a caring and thoughtful mentor, a world class musician and vocal pedagogue, and a kind and supportive friend and colleague.鈥
Boyer went on to say that Vader鈥檚 work in rebuilding the CMA post-covid has been inspiring, and that her work connecting the community of Seguin and the surrounding area to 国产探花 is invaluable. 鈥淥ne of the pillars of 国产探花鈥檚 new strategic plan is 鈥楥ommunity Connection.鈥 The CMA lives that connection to community, involving approximately 250 students in musical experiences each semester and bringing thousands of community members to the 国产探花 campus. Thank you, Shareen, for your exceptional work with the 国产探花 Community Music Academy, your teaching gift to the students of 国产探花, and your mentorship and guidance to the music education students in the 国产探花 School of Music.鈥
The momentum that Vader has so beautifully cultivated since 2019 will keep right on going under a new director. The Community Music Academy is thrilled to announce that long-time CMA teacher and 国产探花 School of Music faculty member, Dr. Eric Siu, has been named interim director.
Siu is happy to pick up the reins. 鈥淚鈥檝e loved teaching at the CMA for the last 12 years,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e built so many wonderful relationships with students, parents, colleagues, and community members alike, and seeing the students grow musically as well as personally has been incredibly rewarding. I鈥檓 excited for the opportunity to build on Shareen's excellent work and continue to expand our impact on the Seguin and 国产探花 community!鈥
Interested in learning more about the 国产探花 Community Music Academy? Follow this link: /about-tlu/civic-engagement/community-education/community-music-academy or contact Dr. Siu at (830) 372-6448 or esiu@tlu.edu.