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Staff
Since earning the Bachelor of Music degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Marguerite McCormick spent 30 years in public and private education, teaching classroom and choral music in Texas and Missouri from preschool through high school level. She also holds a Master of Music degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio. In addition to her work with CCSA and in schools, Mrs. McCormick serves as a choral clinician at schools and churches throughout Texas.While teaching in San Antonio’s North East ISD, she was chosen Teacher of the Year at her school, was recognized as a Nationally Registered Music Educator by the Music Educators National Conference, and was twice elected to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. She has received further honors from The University of Texas at San Antonio, including being named an Outstanding Alumnus and receiving the Division of Music’s Distinguished Alumnus Award as well as the UTSA Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award.
Mrs. McCormick has furthered her conducting studies with Dr. Doreen Rao and was awarded the distinction of Artist-Teacher by the Association for Choral Music Education. She is a member of the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame and has served as the Children’s Choirs Repertoire and Standards Chair for the American Choral Directors Association, Southwestern Division. Mrs. McCormick is currently a Series Adviser for music publisher Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., in the Building Bridges Choral Music Experience series.
Bringing more than four decades of teaching and conducting experience to the CCSA staff, Irma Taute has taught in two San Antonio school districts, the Texas cities of Alice and Kingsville, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds Bachelor and Master degrees in music education from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, and currently maintains a private voice studio. In addition, she continues to work with area schools as choral clinician and adjudicator. Mrs. Taute was vice-president of the South Texas Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and served as the Chairman of the Board for the San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers – an ensemble for which she has also served as secretary, president, board member, and rehearsal assistant. Mrs. Taute is in her 17th season with CCSA.
Now in her second year with CCSA, Heather Klossner brings with her over 25 years of public school experience. She teaches music at Woodridge Elementary in Alamo Heights ISD where she directs the Woodridge Singers and Ritmo!, a music and movement performance ensemble which has been selected to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Conference in 2012. Prior to relocating to San Antonio, she taught in New Braunfels ISD where she was her campus’s Teacher of the Year and founding director of the NBISD Elementary Honor Choir. Heather holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Texas Lutheran University and a Master’s Degree in Music from Texas State University. She has completed Level I toward her Kodály Certification, earned all three levels of Orff Certification and has completed Orff Masterclasses. Additionally, she furthers her conducting studies each summer with Henry Leck at his Creating Artistry Conducting Workshops. Heather Klossner’s professional affiliations include the American Choral Directors Association, American Orff Schulwerk Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, and Central Texas Orff where she is Chapter President.
Rebecca Morgan holds the distinction of being the first CCSA alumna to join the staff, having sung with the organization from 1987-1991. She is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and was the Assistant Director for the Raritan Valley Youth Chorale. Mrs. Jarvis has taught elementary music for North East ISD and currently teaches primary music for the Montessori School of San Antonio.
Amy Ballenger is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University where she received her Bachelor of Music Degree in 2005. She started her career with The CCSA as a singer from 1994 - 1998. In 2006, Amy became Choir Director at Bradley Middle School in NEISD where she maintains a UIL Sweepstakes Choirs along with many local and state awards. In addition to her full time teaching job, she is currently the Junior Chorus North Director for CCSA, and the choir director for the 4th and 5th grade choir at Coker Elementary school. She is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Choral Directors Association. Amy enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband, Jack, and their two handsome boys, Parker and Graham.