GUest artists
Thomas Marvil is Cathedral Organist for Christ Church Cathedral. Prior to this appointment, he served as Associate Director of Music at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Houston, TX. He was previously Assistant Director of Music at St. Anne Catholic Church, Houston. He also previously served as Organ Scholar at the Cathedral during his graduate studies. An active local artist, Marvil has played frequently for productions at the Houston Grand Opera, appeared in concert with the Houston Chamber Choir, and performed recitals at Houston churches including the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and First Lutheran Church. He holds a MM degree from the University of Houston, where he studied organ with Daryl Robinson and choral conducting with Betsy Cook Weber, and a BM degree from Westminster Choir College, where he studied organ with Alan Morrison and Matthew Lewis.
Laura Smith has played with all of the major arts organizations in Houston including Houston Grand Opera, Texas Opera Theatre, Houston Ballet, The Houston Symphony, and TUTS. She is currently the principal harpist of Opera Saratoga. Laura has been fortunate enough to perform with many artists including Luciano Pavarotti, Ray Charles and the Moody Blues, to name a few. She is always honored to perform with the Houston Chamber Choir and congratulates them on their Grammy win.
Marc Garvin is a guitar soloist, chamber music performer, public speaker, radio personality and well-known professor of guitar. He’s performed as a soloist and ensemble member with Houston’s Symphony, Grand Opera, Ballet, and Grammy Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir. He’s accompanied legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti as well as Italian soprano Cecilia Bartoli. He’s performed in Spain as part of ChamberArt Madrid. He got his start in Houston when the Houston Ballet tapped him as solo guitarist for its American premier and subsequent Canadian tour of Christopher Bruce’s Ghost Dances. As a radio personality, Marc made the airwaves vibrate on Houston Public Radio (KUHF-88.7 FM), where he co-hosted Pulling Strings – a weekly show featuring all instruments picked, plucked, and strummed (sometimes banged, bashed and hammered!).
For more information on Marc Garvin, www.marcgarvin.com
Craig Hauschildt has dedicated his career to creating and sharing music joyfully with others, drawing upon these experiences for the betterment of the community. Having lived in Houston for over twenty years, he regularly performs with Houston's finest musicians in groups including ROCO, the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Ballet, Da Camera, and Loop38. Additionally, he joins colleagues from across the country at the Grand Teton Music Festival each summer in Wyoming.
Working with young musicians is a critical part of Craig's musical pursuits. In addition to leading the development of the Da Camera Young Artist Program, he coaches with the Houston Youth Symphony, has taught at the University of Houston and Texas A&M, and has helped private students begin their musical journeys in programs at The Juilliard School, Rice University, Eastman School of Music, the University of Texas, and many others.
One of his proudest achievements is his contribution to a sustained community effort to eliminate fine arts deserts at roughly forty Houston ISD elementary schools, ensuring that more youth have access to high-quality fine arts education.