Deidre Douglas
Houston
Summary
Innovative Choral Director experienced in enhancing vocal techniques and orchestrating successful performances. Fostered collaboration and mentorship among students, driving artistic development and educational growth through effective communication and adaptive teaching strategies.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Choral Director
Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District
Houston, TX
08.1988 - 05.2025
- Conducted rehearsals to enhance vocal technique and ensemble performance.
- Coordinated performances, fostering collaboration among students and faculty.
- Developed curriculum aligning with state music standards and educational goals.
- Mentored student leaders, promoting teamwork and musical development.
- Implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage diverse learners in choral music.
- Evaluated student progress, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement.
- Taught [Middle School and High School] classes in choral music.
- Served as an adjudicator at regional competitions, offering valuable feedback to competing choirs on their strengths and areas for improvement.
- Established strong relationships with local schools and community organizations, creating opportunities for collaborative performances and events.
- Provided constructive feedback to singers during rehearsals, leading to improved individual performance and overall ensemble sound.
- Performed administrative tasks by developing budgets, designing, and printing programs and applying for grants.
- Mentored young musicians by providing private vocal instruction, fostering a love for music and encouraging personal growth.
- Coordinated successful fundraising campaigns to support the choral program's financial needs and growth goals.
- Nurtured partnerships with professional musicians who served as guest artists or clinicians, providing unique learning experiences for choir members.
- Implemented innovative rehearsal strategies that maximized time efficiency while maintaining a focus on musicality and artistry.
- Conducted auditions to choose performers for musical presentations.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by promoting collaboration and teamwork among choir members.
- Enhanced choral performances by selecting diverse and challenging repertoire for various ensembles.
- Demonstrated singing techniques, teaching applicable music theory and explaining the significance of pieces.
- Led planning, rehearsal schedule and execution of choral events.
- Maintained regular communication with parents and guardians through newsletters, emails, or conferences, keeping them informed of their children's progress in the choral program.
- Developed strong vocal techniques in choir members through tailored warm-ups and exercises, resulting in improved sound quality.
- Continually pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences, or coursework to stay current on best practices within the field of choral education.
- Produced visually engaging concerts incorporating multimedia elements such as lighting design, projections, or choreography to enhance audience experience.
- Coordinated with other performing arts professionals to organize festivals.
- Educated students on proper vocal techniques and vocal warm-ups.
- Maintained calendars of events and assisted in event planning.
- Directed groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
Education
Master of Arts - Music
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX05-1988
Bachelor of Music - Music Education
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX12-1986
Skills
- Choral conducting
- Rehearsal planning
- Vocal technique
- Adaptive teaching
- Choral competition
- Program development
- Music notation software
- Coordinating events
- Event planning
- Effective communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Presentation design
Accomplishments
Texas Choirmaster Award
Texas Choral Excellence Award
(4) Selected Texas Music Educators Association Honor Choirs
(1) Selected American Choral Directors Association Honor Choir
Numerous sweepstakes awards in UIL Concert & Sightreading and both 1st place and Best in Class at choral festivals
Timeline
Choral Director
Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District
08.1988 - 05.2025
Master of Arts - Music
Stephen F. Austin State University
Bachelor of Music - Music Education
Stephen F. Austin State University
Spotlight Teacher of the Year (2 schools)
Cypress Fairbanks ISD Spotlight Teachers are selected by campus principals for their outstanding dedication to providing valuable instruction to students. The teacher must demonstrate one of the core characteristics outlined in the district's Portrait of a CFISD Teacher: Instructional Strategist, Creator of a Student-Centered Environment, Positive Role Model, Lifelong Learner, or Team Player.
Texas Choirmaster Award 2024
A recipient of the Texas Choirmaster Award is a select, distinguished Texas Choral Directors Association member whose extraordinary leadership, artistry, and dedication have made a lasting impact on choral music in Texas. He/she must posses clearly superior choral conducting and musicianship skills, and a documented long standing history of performance success.
Choral Excellence Award 2017
A recipient of the Texas Choral Directors Association Choral Excellence Award has made contributions to choral music in Texas, provides mentorship and inspiration to colleagues and students, and continues to advocate for the future of choral singing.