Instilling Strong Characters, Inspiring Hearts, and Experiencing Excellence through Choral Music
Private Lesson Instructors
Gloria Deveraux
Gloria M. Deveraux is a classically trained soprano from Montgomery, Texas who is presently performing and teaching music! Gloria obtained her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Prairie View A&M University. During her time at PVAMU, she was a part of various performing ensembles such as the PVAMU Concert Chorale and the PVAMU Chamber Singers where she served as section leader, chorus member, and soloist under the direction of Dr. A. Jan Taylor. Gloria was initiated into the Lambda Zeta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity Inc. in 2015. Following her initiation, Gloria served as the chapter president and music chairman.
During her time at PVAMU, Gloria was selected to be a member of the 105 HBCU Legacy Voices where she toured Medellin, Columbia and performed excerpts from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, as well as spirituals and gospel arrangements as a featured soloist. While pursuing her undergraduate studies, Gloria became a founding member of Wanda Deveraux & Grace (WD&G), which is a non- profit Gospel Music Ministry that focuses on philanthropic support for scholarships and providing encouragement through the performing of Christian based music such as quartet, jazz fusion, ccm, and traditional gospel.
In 2021, Gloria completed her graduate studies at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she studied Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Music Education. At the U of A, Gloria served as a sectional leader and soloist in the Inspirational Chorale under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey A. Murdock, and successfully debuted her first operatic role as the mother, Gertrude, in Hansel and Gretel in the U of A Opera Theater. In addition to this, Gloria made history at the U of A by being the first vocalist in over 15 years to win 1st place in the Concerto/ Aria Competition. This win granted her the opportunity to perform arias from Turandot and La Wally with the U of A Orchestra and conductor, Dr. Robert Mueller, in March of 2020. During her graduate studies, Gloria was a top competitor each year (2019- 2021) in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition (NATS) and excelled in academics by being recognized by the university as a National Scholar and joining the Pi Kappa Lambda Chapter of the National Music Honor Society. In 2023, Gloria completed the role as the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Anderson Center for the Arts under the artistic leadership of her former voice teacher, Dr. Jolie A. Rocke
Currently, Gloria is a proud member and soprano section leader of the Voices of Houston (VOH), which is a choral ensemble that builds community through the performance and practice of the Negro Spiritual. Gloria has been a featured soloist of the VOH at the 2023 Detroit Spiritual Festival, the 2023 National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) Convention, and the 2025 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Conference. Gloria has completed her first year as a Chorister and Teaching Artist at Houston Grand Opera. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Choral Director at Nimitz High School (Aldine ISD). In the Fall of 2025, Gloria will begin her doctoral studies in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance at the Moores School of Music.
Rolando Benitez
Mr. Rolando Benitez is a native of Houston, TX who became enamored with singing as a pre-teen after being accidentally placed in his first choir class. He continued to excel in singing through high school, managing to place in the TMEA All-State Choir, and his vocal prowess afforded him a music scholarship at Baylor University where he studied music education and vocal performance.
During his time at Baylor, he was a featured soloist for works such as Brad Holmes’ “Noel,” as well as Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” and Waco’s annual Cotton Palace Pageant. He also fostered his love for music education through his internship with the Youth Chorus of Central Texas, and developed a strong passion for empowering others through the use of their singing voice.
Since returning to Houston, Mr. Benitez has focused on teaching voice all throughout the Houston area. Outside of his teaching, he continues to practice his craft as a staff singer at First Methodist Houston, and serves as bass section leader for the nationally acclaimed Voices of Houston.
