Big Bernd Community Chorale
Alpiine Texas
Big Bend Community Chorus
Artistic Director
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Andrew Alegría, artistic director, is in his sixth season with the Big Bend Community Chorale. He holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts and is the director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies at Sul Ross State University. As director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies, he conducts the Concert Choir and the Musical Theatre Ensemble. He also teaches private voice lessons throughout West Texas. He has been the chorus master for the Greenville Opera in South Carolina and the University of New Mexico Opera Department and the musical theater director for theaters throughout New Mexico and Louisiana. He has worked with other professional choral ensembles, including the Dubuque Chorale in Dubuque, IA, the Coro de Cámara in Santa Fe, NM, and a children’s chorus with the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Alegría has also conducted the Prague Orchestra and the University of New Mexico Chorus at DvoÅ™ák Hall in Prague, Czech Republic. A native of Texas, he is excited to be back in his home state.
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Accompanist
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Beth Bumpas Kerzee has been a Music Teacher, Choir Director, Musical Theatre Director, Orchestra Conductor, and the former Head of Music at Yew Chung International School, China. Having earned a B. M. in music education (Dallas Baptist University) with a double concentration in piano and voice, a M. Ed. from SRSU and completing in December 2022 a M.M. with a concentration in Choral Conducting (UTEP) has allowed Ms. Kerzee to teach music to two-year-old children up to senior citizens. Serving as Region 20 TMEA officer for several years, Beth accompanied many Region Honor Choirs. Recently retired after 23 years of teaching in Texas and 12 years in China, Beth has served as a church musician and music minister in many churches throughout Texas, New Mexico, Hawaii, and China. Ms. Kerzee is presently serving as Music Director/organist at First Presbyterian Church, Marfa and organist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Marfa.