Aaron Howe has been happily working in the choral music field for over 12 years. He received his Bachelor of Music Education with Choral Emphasis from Eastern New Mexico University in 1996. He then served as music director at Heights 1st Church of the Nazerene in Albuquerque for 7 years. During that time Aaron directed multiple choral groups for weekly, monthly, and seasonal performances. While working at Heights, he received a Master of Music with emphases in Conducting and Vocal Performance from the University of New Mexico in 2003. In 2004, Aaron became the choir teacher at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque. During his time there, he added 2 new choir classes and an AP Music Theory class. He served as the music director for all of the musicals put on by St. Pius and he even music directed a Zarzuela (Spanish operetta). After 5 years of high school choral teaching, Aaron decided to start his own business of teaching voice and piano lessons, music directing community musicals, as well as composing and arranging music for choir. Since 2005, he has music directed with Musical Theatre Southwest, Albuquerque Little Theater, Play Conservatory, and ABQ Stages. Aaron loves choral music in all of its forms and is thankful for every opportunity to collaborate with new friends to make music together.
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Stephen Montoya is a native New Mexican who obtained his Master's Degree in Piano Performance from the University of New Mexico. He has studied piano with George Robert and Rita Angel, and organ with Dr. Alexander Schreiner and Dr. Linda Raney. Mr. Montoya has concertized throughout the southwest and on the east coast both as a recitalist and a collaborative artist and has lectured at the University of New Mexico and to various chapters of the MTNA. Mr. Montoya currently studies piano with Sheila Paige, founder and executive director of The Piano Wellness Seminar, where he is also a member of the faculty, and maintains a busy schedule teaching and performing. He is extremely happy to be associated with the New Mexico Gay Men's Chorus. |