Growing up in Conroe, Texas, Jade Blakey began her choral experience with Dr. Bob Horton, Erin Norvelle Bodhaine, and Lynn Bull at The Woodlands High School. While in high school, she studied voice with Diana Storezbach, and was a founding board member for The Woodlands Chorale, a non-profit civic chorus.

Mrs. Blakey went on to Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois to graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Music Education with a Vocal Emphasis and additional coursework in both music theory and Orff-Schulwerk. She studied voice with Ann Borders, and conducting with Dr. Brad Holmes and Dr. Guy Forbes. She presented at conferences both regionally and nationally, and she has been published for her assistance in a research project on an iPad app involving early childhood music. Mrs. Blakey, growing up in dance and musical theatre programs, also choreographed for local school choirs.

She began her teaching career at Clear Lake High School in 2014, and has been the head director since 2017. Always anxious to continue growing as an educator, Mrs. Blakey has completed her Kodaly level 1 and 2 training at the SMU-Plano program. She is married to Adam, a band director at Manvel High School. She is looking forward to a great year full of growth and memories!

Corey Braxton went to Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas to earn a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2008. While attending Kansas Wesleyan University, he performed with the KWU Chorale and Band. His opera experience included being the lead tenor in “The Mikado” and “The Magic Flute.” The Salina Community Theater (SCT) was a frequent home for Mr. Braxton during his undergraduate degree. He performed in several musicals and eventually transitioned into becoming a musical director for several shows at SCT before graduating college.

Mr. Braxton returned to his hometown of Lyons, Kansas in 2009 to teach 6-12 vocal music for 10 years. He was inspired and excited to give back to the community that helped raise him. During his 10 years of teaching, Mr. Braxton enhanced the vocal program by offering rigorous musical experiences and building strong relationships with his students and community. His middle school and high school choirs received numerous outstanding ratings at festivals and well as his soloist and ensembles. Mr. Braxton elevated the musical accompaniment experience for his students by adding their first full orchestra pit during the fall musicals. Mr. Braxton cherished working one-on-one with students and their families to develop a strong musical culture.

Mr. Braxton taught students to follow their dreams and strive to be the best. He decided to lead by example and left teaching to pursue a Master’s of Music degree in music education at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. He studied voice with Dr. Todd Payne and performed in the MSU Chorale under the direction of Dr. Cameron LaBarr. Mr. Braxton was the graduate assistant for the music education department and served as a mentor to future music educators attending MSU.

His musical journey has led him to teach vocal music at Clear Lake High School and Clear Lake Intermediate and he is excited for this next chapter. Mr. Braxton is eager to meet his next musical family and change the world through song.