CPHS Choir Voice Instructors:
Sabrina Ellis
Voice Teacher
ellissabrina91@gmail.com
One of three musical triplets in her family, Ms. Ellis received her Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. At UT, she performed with the Concert Chorale, Chamber Singers, Butler Opera Center, and Early Music Ensemble. While in college, she studied voice with renowned bass Nikita Storojev and sang in many recitals, competitions, and opera productions outside of her school-affiliated performances.
In 2019, Ms. Ellis received the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award for Music Education, which she gratefully used to create the You Belong Here project for LGBTQ+ advocacy in classical music.
In addition to teaching voice, Ms. Ellis also serves as the Assistant Choir Director at University Christian Church in Austin and performs with local opera companies. When she is not singing or teaching, Ms. Ellis enjoys making (and drinking) coffee, reading, and exploring new places with her friends.
Susan McBrayer (Space Limited)
Voice Teacher
susanmcb4@gmail.com
Susan McBrayer, soprano, graduated from Southern Methodist University with an M.M. in Music Education, voice. Many of her students have won entrance to Texas All-State Choir and NJ All-State Choir, as well as All-Eastern Choir. Students have received first-division ratings at UIL Contest and performed full-length classical recitals while in high school.
One of her students, Ali Stroker, received a Tony award for her performance in Oklahoma! on Broadway in 2019. Another student, Morgan Mastrangelo, was a Metropolitan Opera Semi-Finalist in 2020.
Kate Winchester
Voice Teacher
kate.winchester.soprano@gmail.com
Kate Winchester, soprano, graduated from Westminster Choir College with an M.M. in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, where she studied with Metropolitan Opera alumna Sharon Sweet. She has been teaching for over 15 years and has lived in Austin since 2018; since then she has sent a dozen students to All-State, with several more placing at Texoma NATS, with one going all the way to semifinals in the national NATS competition. A number of her students have pursued collegiate vocal study in education, performance, and musical theatre, and have been admitted to Oberlin, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Marymount Manhattan, and other high-level schools, as well as Texas schools such as UNT, Texas State, and Trinity.
While at Westminster, she was the soprano soloist for the Symphonic Choir in the annually broadcast Readings and Carols concert. She has been a soloist for ensembles in New Mexico, Florida, and Texas, including Panoramic Voices in Austin, where she premiered several new works. She regularly sings with One Ounce Opera in Austin and is on the roster for Austin Cantorum. She presently is a staff singer at St. David’s Episcopal Church in downtown Austin.
Voice Lesson Information:
Voice Lessons are strongly encouraged for all students in the CPHS Choir. All information and enrollment forms can be found on the Documents & Forms page. To enroll, print the enrollment form, complete it, and deliver it to Mrs. Holt.
Voice Lesson Teacher Assignment and Scheduling Information:
- For information about instructor assignment and lesson scheduling during school hours, please contact Lisa Holt.
Voice Lesson Payment & Billing Information:
- For information about payments & billing information regarding scheduled voice lessons, please contact your child’s private voice instructor.