Southwestern Music Academy

Gabrielle holds a bachelor’s degree in music education with a choral specialization as well as an MMCM in voice performance and pedagogy from SWBTS. She enjoys teaching all styles of vocal literature and all levels of learners. Along with her husband, Matthew, she lives with her daughter, Nekoda, her son, Noël, and their tuxedo cat, Kevin Jonas. She is a member of Trinity River Baptist Church.

As SMA director, Gabrielle aims to bring music education to people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels to the glory of God.

Nelly holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in French Horn Performance. She is currently working on a MM in Worship Leadership at SWBTS. She is originally from Costa Rica and speaks English, Spanish, and French. Nelly has been teaching horn and preschool music classes for over 10 years. She loves watching students get excited about music and realizing they can learn a new skill. She believes in teaching beginners by starting with the basics and helping them build a new discipline into their lives.

Additionally, she also likes getting into the musicianship aspect with advanced students, helping them build a vision in their interpretation of different composers. Her favorite pieces are the four horn concertos by Mozart that feature the instrument’s warm but bold versatility. Traveling is one of her favorite hobbies and interest. Nelly attends Lamar Baptist Church where she is the worship leader for their Spanish service. Her parents, brother, sister, and niece and nephew all live in Costa Rica.

Taeyong is originally from South Korea and has been teaching for 20 years. He teaches in both English and Korean languages. Taeyong holds a BM in Jazz Studies from UTA and is also studying jazz for his master’s degree at SWBTS. He attends Birchman Baptist Church with his wife and two young daughters. Taeyong enjoys playing worship songs with his church as well as jazz pieces with various ensembles.

He coordinated the SMA’s first Sacred Works Worship Night performance that gathered both SWBTS adult musicians and SMA students to present a concert of all Christian music. He enjoys teaching students to listen to the music as they play, developing the valuable ability to play by ear. He also has many YouTube videos showcasing his skills at drum performance as well as advanced percussion notation.

Matthew Naizer is from Houston, Texas and is studying guitar for his Doctorate of Musical Arts at SWBTS. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from Texas State University and a Master of Music in Church Music with a Concentration in Guitar Performance and Pedagogy from SWBTS. He likes teaching others so that he can pass on the knowledge and love for music that was given to him by his own teachers and mentors.

Matthew is happily married to his wife, Gabrielle, and they attend Trinity River Baptist Church. They have two children, Nekoda and Noël.

Ivan completed his Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at SWBTS and is continuing his education in Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy also at SWBTS under the direction of Dr. Jill Sprenger. He is originally from Indonesia and speaks both English and Bahasa Indonesia. He serves as a collaborative pianist and music director at SWBTS where he works with faculty, students, and ensembles. He hopes to see his students flourish in the journey of learning the piano.

Alfred is an Indonesian concert pianist. He has done extensive solo and collaborative performances in Indonesia and the United States. He graduated with his master’s degree in piano performance from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) – School of Church Music & Worship. He is currently pursuing his DMA in piano performance and pedagogy at SWBTS with Dr. Tanya Karyagina. Besides doing his doctoral degree, he serves as Artist-In-Residence at First Baptist Church of Burleson. He has received numerous piano awards from SWBTS and is also a recipient of the MTNA (Music Teacher National Association) Collegiate Award in 2019.

In 2021, Alfred established the collaborative group “Situmorang & Sons” with both his sons, Frederic Situmorang (Piano) and Franz Situmorang (singer). They have performed classical music concerts as part of church music ministry in the Fort Worth area.

Aosenla is the pianist at Trinity Hills Baptist Church in Benbrook. She has been teaching for 8 years and loves to teach all age groups, group classes, and music theory. She is from India and speaks English, Hindi, Nagamese, and various Ao dialects. She is pursuing a Master of Music in Worship Leadership at SWBTS and earned her Bachelor of Arts from Sazolie College in Nagaland, India, as well as her Bachelor of Music in Applied Piano from Patkai Christian College in Nagaland, India. She loves that teaching allows her to know people better and thoroughly enjoys seeing her students grow in their skill.

Peng hails from Shenyang, China and holds an Artist Diploma, master’s degree, and DMA from TCU as well as a bachelor’s degree from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. He speaks both Chinese and English and is currently learning German, Japanese, and Cantonese. Benny has been teaching since 2007 and enjoys teaching all ages. He loves to play by ear as well as improvise and loves sharing his knowledge with his students.

Peng and his wife, Chengjin Tian got married in October of 2021 and have two cats—Milk and Black Bean—and one dog—Happy. They attend Christ Chapel Bible Church and Peng serves in the church orchestra by playing the bass.

Timothy is an artist-in-residence at FBC Burleson and graduated from Texas Baptist College with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. He is originally from Oklahoma and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Church Music with a concentration in Voice Performance and Pedagogy. Timothy loves teaching beginners and seeing his students excel in their craft as they grow and learn.

Jihye has been teaching for 6 years and enjoys teaching beginners and group classes. She believes that teaching is a way to share her knowledge from God and loves that it challenges her as a Christian and a teacher to practice it every day and continue to grow.

Jihye is from Korea and speaks both English and Korean. She holds a degree in Music Education from UTSA and is currently pursuing the Master of Music in Church Music with a concentration in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at SWBTS. She attends FBC Benbrook and her favorite pieces to play are hymns.

Nelson is a saxophonist with 30 years of experience. He completed his Licentiate of Music at the University of Costa Rica under the direction of Dr. Javier Valerio. He completed his studies with 3 different emphases: Saxophone performance, saxophone teaching, and composition. He is originally from Costa Rica and speaks both English and Spanish.

He understands the importance of including music in the teaching-learning process, and pays special attention to student motivation, which is the main engine to advance in any learning process.

Mang Sian Lal is originally from Myanmar and is proficient in English, Burmese, and Chin (Zomi). He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Church Music with a focus on Guitar Performance and Pedagogy at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

From a young age, Mang Lal has been engaged in worship ministry as both a guitarist and keyboardist at his local church in Myanmar. He studied electric guitar for two years at the Grace Music Institute, Myanmar (GMI) from 2017 to 2018, and later attended the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Church Music with a specialization in Ministry Leadership. Known for his patience, he is dedicated to nurturing his students’ musical talents.

Matthew started piano lessons at the age of 8 and has continued learning ever since. He frequently plays keyboard in worship bands and has trained other church members to do the same. Matthew is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Worship Leadership at Texas Baptist College and attends Tate Springs Baptist Church.  

William is a graduate of Texas A&M and an officer in the United States Army. He is passionate about raising a new generation of organists and is currently studying under Dr. Jerry Westenkuehler. William is working toward his Master of Music in Worship Leadership at SWBTS and attends Church of Christ the King.  

Nietalii is pursuing a Master of Music in Worship Leadership at SWBTS and enjoys playing the flute in worship services and recitals to glorify God and encourage others. She currently studies flute with Pam Adams, a former flutist of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Nietalii attends Arlington Chinese Bible Church.  Nietalii is pursuing a Master of Music in Worship Leadership at SWBTS and enjoys playing the flute in worship services and recitals to glorify God and encourage others. She currently studies flute with Pam Adams, a former flutist of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Nietalii attends Arlington Chinese Bible Church.  

Horchuila spent four years teaching voice in India and grew up singing in church. She is currently working toward an MMCM in Voice Performance and Pedagogy at SWBTS and is in the worship band at her Church, Fielder Church, South Oaks. Horchuila enjoys singing and loves serving God in all her areas of giftedness.  

Mackenzie is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Performance at Texas Baptist College and is passionate about teaching. She has several years of experience teaching both piano and voice. Mackenzie attends Christ Fellowship Church.  

Shanchuiphy grew up singing in the church and has experience teaching all ages and many different genres of music including gospel, classical, commercial music, and musical theater. She is passionate about teaching singers both young and old to enjoy the gift God has blessed them with, using these gifts to glorify God and further his Kingdom.

Shanchuiphy is working toward an MMCM in Voice Performance and Pedagogy and attends Gambrell Street Baptist Church. 

Kalina is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Performance at Texas Baptist College and is excited to inspire a love for music in students of all ages. She studied piano under various teachers for 12 years and has taught piano herself for the last 3. Kalina attends Travis Avenue Baptist Church.  

Brandon is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Worship Studies with a concentration in guitar. He has always been surrounded by music and was a band kid from an early age. Music has always been an important part of his life. Brandon has been teaching guitar for about three years and has grown a passion for teaching people of all ages and seeing their growth and happiness through their music journey.  

Sarah Yeates teaches both piano and voice at Southwestern Music Academy. She earned her Bachelors degree in Vocal Performance with honors from Houston Christian University, where she studied classical piano and the Bel Canto vocal style. A lifelong musician from the Houston area, Sarah has performed extensively in musical theater and opera, including roles such as Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Hero in Beatrice et Benedict, and Musetta in La Bohème in Trani, Italy. Her professional experience spans performances with churches, choirs, and theater companies, such as AD Players Theater Company’s The Sound of Music. She is also an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), where she has received multiple first-place awards at city and regional competitions. 

As a teacher, Sarah emphasizes a balanced approach to music that integrates theory, technique, musicianship, and performance. She enjoys guiding students through a variety of styles, from classical to musical theater and popular music. Sarah believes that music is a joyful, God-given gift meant to be shared, and she is passionate about helping each student develop and cultivate their musical skills. 

Chloe Bonner is a Dallas native who believes in making disciples and inspiring spiritual formation through the gift of music. With over 20 years of traditional and contemporary church music leadership experience, she has taught K-12 music and theatre, is an instructor for youth music camps, and has conducted collegiate-level choirs. Chloe has performed music at the White House, Carnegie Hall, and has led worship around the country for conferences and conventions. In addition to becoming the new Worship Resident at Travis Avenue Baptist Church, Chloe has recently been named the Choir Director for the Youth Choir of Southwestern Music Academy for the 2026-'27 school year. Chloe's soulful and relational approach to worship ministry has connected her heart to congregations around DFW which has inspired her continued study of Church Music & Worship Theology. A proud alumna (M.M., Class of 2024) and current Ph.D. student at SWBTS, Chloe enjoys spending time with family and friends, decorating, and writing spoken-word poetry.