Music Department
Alumni
Hailey Bair
Hailey Bair, mezzo-soprano, graduated May 2018 with her Masters degree from Calvary University in Worship Arts with an emphasis in Voice. She previously graduated from UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree. She has studied under the tutelage of Un Chong Christopher for the past six years and studied fifteen years of piano and nine years of voice with Missy Palen. Hailey is teaching voice and piano lessons through a private studio near Springfield. Hailey made her opera debut in Cosi fan tutte through UMKC Opera and has also sung numerous oratorio roles including: Judas Maccabeaus and the Queen in Elijah.
Sarah Bourdess
Sarah (Cheslik) Bourdess graduated in May 2018 from Calvary University with a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting. She has also earned a Bachelors degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Calvary University in 2014. She currently directs an Early Music Ensemble, exploring the music of Palestrina and Monteverdi, and has also had experience conducting in several area churches and choirs. Sarah is a member of KCFMT (Kansas City Federated Music Teachers) and currently works as a piano instructor both at her own studio and at a local private school. She and her husband Joel also work for Biblical Ministries Worldwide, traveling and making videos for missionaries around the world.
Sarah Martin
Sarah (McBrayer) Martin graduated from Calvary University in 2009 with a Bachelors of Music- Performance and Pedagogy with an emphasis in Voice. Currently, she teaches private voice and beginning piano lessons out of her home studio. Sarah has been directing music for Academy of Christian Theatre and SHINE of KC. She has enjoyed participating in Calvary Masterworks Chorus, both as a student and an alumnus, as well as being involved in some local community theatre productions.
Melissa McBrayer
Melissa McBrayer graduated from Calvary University in 2011 with a Bachelors of Music – Vocal Pedagogy and Performance with a Theatre Arts minor. Currently, she is working as a Paraprofessional in the Grandview C4 School District, while working towards certification in Elementary Education. She also teaches private voice lessons in the Northland. Although her full-time job does not require the skills gained from her degree, Melissa has had the opportunity to use her music & theatre training while performing with the American Opera Studio in Overland Park, KS. She choreographs, sings, dances and sews costumes for the American Opera Studio too.
Charis Schneeberger
Charis Schneeberger graduated from Calvary University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education. She is a K-6th Music teacher at George Melcher Elementary in Kansas Public School District. Her students benefit from her teaching since she uses a lot of general hands-on classroom instruments, solfege hand signs, and singing as ways to instruct them. She loves to hang out with her students and have fun making music together. She is very involved in her church and will either teach the kids on Sundays or sing on the worship team. It is her dream to teach music in Spain.
Tyler Silvey
Tyler Silvey graduated from Calvary University (formerly known as Calvary Bible College) in 2013 with a Bachelors in Worship Arts. He is currently working on his Masters in Music at Liberty University. He led worship for Harvest Bible Chapel in Kansas City and occasionally preached for their student ministry. While there he discovered his passion for pastoral ministry and heart for discipling the youth there. Tyler and his wife, Corbyn, moved to Baltimore, Maryland to help plant a church with the North American Mission Board. Tyler is a Pastor of Family Ministries at Church of the Harbor. He oversees kids and student ministries, along with local outreach and evangelism, and plays in the worship band.
Laura VanderWoude
Laura VanderWoude graduated from Calvary University in 2018 with a Bachelors degree in Instrumental Music Education. She is a 6th grade Orchestra Teacher at James Bridger Middle School in Independence, Missouri. She is pursuing a Master of Music in Music Education through Kansas State University. She has been playing the violin and piano for 18 years and teaches private lessons in the Kansas City Metro area. She has also served as a music adjudicator for several events such as local Solo and Ensemble festivals, regional IFCA events, and the ACSI music festival. Throughout her time at Calvary, the Lord provided her the opportunities to develop her skills and heart for both music and teaching. Her desire is to provide community through music whether in the classroom, the church, or the surrounding community.
Bethany Williams
Bethany (Franklin) Williams graduated in May 2018 from Calvary University with her Masters degree in Worship Arts with an emphasis in Piano. She has also earned a Bachelors degree in Advanced Biblical Studies from Calvary University. She graduated from Cornerstone Bible Institute in 2013 with a diploma in Bible and Theology and an emphasis in Counseling. She has been playing piano for nineteen years, classical organ for twelve and thoroughly enjoys each opportunity the Lord gives her to play for Him. Formerly, Bethany was employed by the Liberty Public School System as she accompanied choirs of middle school singers! She also accompanied the William Baker Festival Singers, a local Kansas City Choir.