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SPHS Choir Staff
Randy M. Preston, Director
Randy M. Preston is entering year 24 of teaching choral music in Texas
and twelfth at Stony Point High School where he serves as the
head choir director and Visual & Performing Arts Academy Lead. Prior
to teaching at SPHS, Mr. Preston taught in similar positions at Hopewell Middle School (Round Rock ISD), Waxahachie ISD, and Midlothian ISD. Ensembles under his direction consistently earn Superior ratings,
UIL Sweepstakes awards, and his 2020 Chamber Choir at Stony Point High School earned national recognition as a Commended Winner in the
Mark of Excellence/National Choral Honors Project.
Mr. Preston was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas where he graduated
from Harlingen High School. He attended Hardin-Simmons University
in Abilene, Texas, where he graduated with multiple degrees: Bachelor of Music in Church Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Master of Music
with a concentration in Church Music. In the Fall of 2020, he successfully completed Principal Certification courses at Lamar University
and hopes to one day work in fine arts administration.
Mr. Preston is a professional musician who has sung and played keyboard/piano for many churches, weddings, and other events.
He maintains professional affiliations with ACDA, TCDA, TMAA, TMEA,
and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.
Mr. Preston sings tenor with Conspirare Symphonic Choir, and he serves
as the Director of Music Ministries at Round Rock Christian Church.
Dr. Irida Herri, Voice Teacher
Dr. Irida Herri is an accomplished soprano known for her exceptional musicality and impeccable vocal abilities. She has had a successful career
as a soloist and chamber musician, performing in the United States, Germany, and Japan. Her repertoire includes a wide range of operatic roles and as a soloist in choral works, cantatas, oratorios, and masses. Dr. Herri has collaborated with orchestras and choirs worldwide, including the Baltimore Symphony, Columbia Pro Cantare, Concert Artists of Baltimore, Heidelberg Bachchor, Theater of Heidelberg, United States Army Europe Band and Chorus, United States Army Japan Band, Central Texas Philharmonic,
and the Metropolitan Opera.
Originally from Albania, Dr. Herri's international journey has shaped her into the versatile artist and educator she is today. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Texas at Austin, where she also served as a graduate Teaching Assistant. Prior to her time in Austin, she was an ensemble member of the Theater of Heidelberg in Germany for over a decade and ran a private studio in Germany and Japan, teaching for more than 15 years. She also holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Augusta State University in Georgia.
Dr. Herri is dedicated to imparting her expertise to the younger generation, emphasizing the promotion of healthy singing practices,
artistic interpretation, tone quality, and effective learning and practice methods. Her teaching spans a diverse range of musical styles,
including classical, musical theater, jazz, gospel, and contemporary commercial music, all tailored to individual student preferences and needs. Moreover, her fluency in languages such as Italian, French, and German enables her to offer expert guidance in diction.
In Austin, Dr. Herri is deeply involved in a variety of collaborative projects
with local artists, churches, choral groups, and music organizations,
aiming to foster creative partnerships and nurture ongoing
collaborations within the community.