In this episode of Journeys: A MACSA Podcast, we welcome the multi-talented Steena Hernandez—a dancer, vocalist, and author with an inspiring story to share. From touring with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to performing on Broadway in Rent, Steena’s career is filled with incredible moments, but her path wasn’t always easy.

She opens up about her early start in music, her journey to becoming an author, and the reality of handling rejections in the performing arts. We also discuss her debut children's book, Lupita's Brown Ballet Slippers, and the importance of diverse representation in literature.

📌 Topics Covered: 🎭 Performing on Broadway and touring with TSO 📖 Writing Lupita’s Brown Ballet Slippers & storytelling as an artist 💡 Overcoming challenges & rejection in the arts 🎶 The passion that fuels a lifelong creative career

🎧 Watch now and be inspired by Steena’s journey! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring amazing artists and educators.

#MACSAPodcast #SteenaHernandez #BroadwayPerformer #TSO #MusicEducation #Dancer #AuthorLife

In Episode 8, we feature Jacob Cantu, A MACSA voice instructor, an accomplished music educator, and performer with a career spanning over four decades. Currently serving as the Choir Director for the Vigil Choir at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Jacob has also directed choirs and taught music at St. Jose Sanchez Del Rio Catholic School and St. Mary’s University, where he produced and directed operas and musicals. Jacob’s impressive vocal training includes studies under esteemed teachers such as Herald Stark, Spiro Malas, and Sam Sakarian, along with coaching from Met Opera’s Joan Donerman. His performance career has taken him to New York, Connecticut, and across Texas, appearing with groups such as the Texas Bach Choir, San Antonio Opera, and San Antonio’s Three Tenors. Jacob is also known for his work with Opera in the Schools, bringing the magic of opera to young audiences in South Texas. ✨ Tune in to hear Jacob’s journey through music, teaching, and performance.

🙏 Special Thanks: Jacob Cantu extends his gratitude to the mentors, colleagues, and friends who have supported and inspired him throughout his career: Harold Stark Bess Hieronymus Sam Sakarian George Cortes Leroy Yarbrough Spiro Malas David Blackburn Dan Long Evelyn Troxler Jeff Troxler Mark Richter Burt Neely Jean White Ruth Payne John Moore Jan Schmidt Joey Martin Mary Rita Partlow Edith Ortega

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🎙️ Journeys: A MACSA Podcast – Episode 7 with Clarisa De la Garza 🎶 In Episode 7, we feature Clarisa De la Garza, a passionate clarinetist, composer, and educator. With degrees in music performance from UTRGV and UTSA, Clarisa has won multiple concerto competitions and performed on prestigious stages. Her diverse expertise spans teaching, composing, music research, and championing underrepresented composers. ✨ Tune in to explore her journey, her love for music, and her creative projects.

🎵 Interested in lessons with Clarisa De la Garza? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.co...

📢 Check out Clarisa’s compositions and performances on Youtube @clarisadelagarza6577 🎵 Sonata No. 1 Eventide 🎵 5 Spatial Abstractions 🎵 Impromptu on a D-Flat 7 🎵 Rhapsody No. 1 "Impressions" 🎵 Lost in Reverie – Clarinet Choir 🎵 Rhapsody No. 1 "Impressions" (Solo with Electronics)

🌐 Learn more about Clarisa and her work: cdelagarzamusic.com

🙏 Special Thanks: Clarisa would like to thank the following individuals who have shaped her musical sphere of influence with their encouragement, knowledge, and endless, contagious love for the art of music: Dr. Bill O'Neil – Private Lesson Teacher and Clarinet Professor at UTRGV Dr. Nicholas Councilor – Clarinet Professor at UTSA Dr. Stacey Davis – Music Theory and Theory Pedagogy Professor at UTSA Dr. Ethan Wickman and Professor James Syler – Composition Professors at UTSA Dr. Shoko Kinsella – Piano Lesson Professor at UTRGV Dr. Saul Torres – Conducting Lesson Professor at UTRGV Dr. Justin Writer – Composition Lesson Professor at UTRGV And of course, her parents, Leticia Rodriguez and Eddie De la Garza, for their unending love and support.

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring episodes from MACSA! 🎧 Listen now and share your thoughts in the comments!

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🎙️Journeys: A MACSA Podcast | Episode 5 Featuring Dr. Ivan Hurd In this episode of Journeys: A MACSA Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ivan Hurd, Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Coordinator of Class Piano at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Hurd teaches piano pedagogy, piano literature, applied piano lessons, and coordinates the university’s class piano program. With degrees in Piano Performance from Eastern Michigan University (M.M.), the University of Iowa (B.M.), and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Hurd shares his incredible journey through music. His major teachers include esteemed educators such as Dr. Jane Magrath, Dr. Barbara Fast, Dr. Joel Schoenhals, and Dr. Réne Lecuona. Dr. Hurd’s performance career is equally impressive, with notable performances at the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, in the renowned Haydnsaal at the Esterházy Palace. He has also competed for the prestigious Rosamond P. Haeberle Memorial Piano Award and has presented at national conferences such as MTNA, GP3, NCKP, and the CFMTA conference in Winnipeg, Canada. Outside of teaching and performing, Dr. Hurd enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. We hope you enjoy hearing about his rich and diverse journey in music education and performance. Special Thanks From Dr. Ivan Hurd: Marie Barta (First teacher) Cathy Alcock (High school teacher) Russ Kramer (High school band director) William Backlin (Teacher at North Iowa Area Community College) Dr. Réne Lecuona (Applied professor at the University of Iowa) Dr. Alan Huckleberry (Pedagogy professor at the University of Iowa) Dr. Joel Schoenhals (Applied professor at Eastern Michigan University) Dr. Gary Pedersen (Pedagogy professor at Eastern Michigan University) Dr. Jane Magrath (Applied professor at the University of Oklahoma) Dr. Barbara Fast (Pedagogy professor at the University of Oklahoma) Dr. Kasandra Keeling (UTSA colleague and mentor) Kenneth Thompson (MACSA mentor and coach) Lastly, Dr. Hurd would like to thank his parents, Ivan Hurd Jr. and Rhonda Hurd, and his sister, Ashlee Madole, for their continued love and support.

🎵 Interested in lessons with Dr. Hurd? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.co...

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🎙️ Journeys: A MACSA Podcast – Episode with Madeline Garcia 🎺 In this inspiring episode of Journeys: A MACSA Podcast, we sit down with Madeline Garcia, an accomplished trumpet player and passionate music educator. Currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Music Education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Madeline has over 8 years of experience performing with elite ensembles such as the TMEA Region/Area Selective Ensembles, Odessa College Wind Symphony, UT Longhorn Band, and the UT Symphony Band. Madeline shares her journey into music education, her approach to teaching, and how she inspires students to grow both as musicians and individuals. She emphasizes the transformative power of music education, not just in technical skill but in personal development. This episode offers valuable insights and heartfelt inspiration. ✨ Tune in to hear Madeline’s journey and her vision for the future of music education! 📢 Subscribe for more inspiring stories from MACSA 🎧 Listen now and share your thoughts in the comments!

🎵 Interested in lessons with Madeline Garcia? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.co...

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🎙️Journeys: A MACSA Podcast | Episode 4 Featuring Dr. Jimmy Cheung In this episode of Journeys: A MACSA Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Jimmy Cheung, a distinguished piano instructor at MACSA who holds a Doctoral Degree in Piano Performance. With an international background, Jimmy has studied at prestigious institutions such as the Royal College of Music in London and the University of Cincinnati Conservatory. He shares his fascinating musical journey, the experiences that shaped his career, and his passion for teaching and performing. Join us as we explore the depth and richness of Jimmy's global musical path!

Special Thanks To: James Tocco Ran Dank Soyeon Kate Lee Samuel Ng Michelle Conda Andy Villemez Leon McCawley Gordon Fergus-Thompson Amelia Chan

🎵 Interested in lessons with Jimmy? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.co...

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🎙️Journeys: A MACSA Podcast | Episode 3 Featuring Angela Lau In this episode of Journeys: A MACSA Podcast, we sit down with Angela Lau, a talented piano instructor at MACSA, as she shares her inspiring musical journey. From her early beginnings in music to pursuing a doctoral degree, Angela discusses the highs and lows of her path and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Her story is a testament to the dedication and passion required to thrive in the world of music. We hope you enjoy hearing Angela’s incredible journey and insights!

Special Thanks To: Soyeon Kate Lee Gordon Fergus-Thompson Ruth Nye Samuel Ng Jewel Smith Christopher Segall Ran Dank James Tocco Sandra Rivers Michelle Conda Andy Villemez Julie Kuok

🎵 Interested in lessons with Angela? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.co...

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Transcript

🎙️ Journeys: A MACSA Podcast | Episode 0 Featuring Ricky Juarez In this episode of Journeys: A MACSA Podcast, we’re joined by Ricky Juarez – a talented piano instructor at MACSA and the drummer for his band INOHA. Originally meant to be a test episode, we quickly realized this conversation was too good to keep to ourselves. Ricky shares his unique journey in music, his experiences as an educator, and insights into his dynamic role as both a performer and teacher. We hope you enjoy this authentic and unscripted episode as much as we did!

Special Thanks To: Chris "Frenchie" Smith Brenda Boyd INOHA

🎵 Interested in lessons with Ricky? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.co...

🎶 Want to see Ricky perform live? Click Below: https://linktr.ee/inoha_band

📲 Connect with us: Instagram: ‪@MACSAinc‬

Facebook: facebook.com/MACSAinc

YouTube: MACSA YouTube Channel

🌐 Visit our website: macsainc.com

Instagram: ‪@inoha_band‬

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🎙️ Journeys: A MACSA Podcast - Episode 2 In this episode of Journeys: A MACSA Podcast, we feature Alexis Barton, a talented piano instructor at MACSA and our Events Director. Alexis shares her inspiring musical journey and provides valuable insights into how learning to play on a smaller-scale piano can benefit musicians with smaller hands.

🎵 Interested in lessons with Alexis or another MACSA instructor? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.co...

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Instagram: @macsainc

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🎙️ Journeys: A MACSA Podcast - Episode 1 Welcome to the debut episode of Journeys: A MACSA Podcast! This episode features the talented David Heyn, a professional bass player and frequent performer at Jazz TX. David is now offering bass lessons at MACSA, sharing his passion and expertise with aspiring musicians.

🎵 Interested in lessons with David? Click here to get started: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.com/interested-in-lessons/

🎶 Want to see David perform live? Visit: JazzTX.com

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• Instagram: @macsainc
• Facebook: facebook.com/MACSAinc
• YouTube: MACSA YouTube Channel

🌐 Visit our website: macsainc.com

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from MACSA!