The Austin Academy Choir program has a rich history of award-winning performances, and our students are incredibly accomplished musicians.  Below are listed some of the amazing things that our choirs and individual students achieved during recent years.  We cannot wait to continue adding more successes to our incredible resume!  

Following auditions held on January 2023 there were 24 students from Austin Academy selected to the2023 Region 3 All-Region Choirs.  This is one of the toughest and most competitive regions in the state, so to be selected to this choir is a big honor.  Many students were in the top five in their room, and four were first chair.

Austin Academy Choir sent 88 students to the GISD Middle School Solo and Ensemble Contest last fall, in addition to hosting this event open to over 700 GISD Students.  87 soloists received a First Division rating, and one ensemble received a First Division rating.  Of the 88 soloists, 26 were Outstanding Soloist Nominees.  Of the 27 Outstanding Soloists Winners selected contest-wide, more than any other school!

Usually, Austin Academy sends five 7^th and 8^th grade choirs to UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest – A Cappella Mixed, A Cappella Women, A Cappella Men, Girls Select, and Men’s Chorale.  Consistently, all five choirs have received First Division ratings from all three judges in both the Concert and the Sight-reading portion, earning Sweepstakes.  This is an extraordinary achievement, and the directors are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that went in to making it happen!

A Cappella Mixed Choir was invited to travel to Waco, TX and experience Baylor campus on April 27^th, 2018.  In addition to a full campus tour, stadium visit, and meeting with current Baylor music students (including Austin Academy alumni), they also participated in a choral clinic with Dr. Lynne Gackle, Director of Choral Activities for Baylor University.  It was such an informative, musical learning opportunity to work with someone so esteemed and skilled.  This was an incredible honor that very few middle school students are able to experience!

Austin Academy participated in the Hawaiian Falls Choral Festival held in recent years, sending a total of five choirs of all ages.  Sixth Grade Choir, Girls Select, A Cappella Men, A Cappella Women, and A Cappella Mixed all sang extremely well, and our choir program took home a number of awards – five First Division ratings, five Best in Class awards, two Judge’s Excellence awards, and A Cappella also earned the Grand Champion trophy (awarded to only one choir at the entire contest).

Jonathan Coffield is excited to start his thirteenth year at Austin Academy, and his sixth year as Head Choir Director. He has been teaching choir for thirteenth years in both the Garland and Carrollton-Farmers Branch school districts. Choirs under his direction have received Sweepstakes and First Division ratings at UIL Contests and Hawaiian Falls Festivals, respectively. A graduate of Baylor University in Choral Music Education, he has participated in various choirs, musical groups, and stage productions, directed various vocal ensembles, and, under vocal professor Dr. Randall Umstead, performed solo recitals. Mr. Coffield’s musical accomplishments and appointments span at the local, state, and national levels. He served as a Conducting Intern for the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas under Cynthia Nott and Linda Harley. A native of Garland, TX, and Full International Baccalaureate Diploma graduate of Garland HS, he has represented locally in the civic production of The Wiz (Tin Man), the state level as a member of the Texas All-State Choir (2004, 2006), and nationally as a classical voice competitor in the NAACP ACT-SO Competition in Washington, D.C. He is a member of ACDA, TMEA, TCDA, TMAA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He enjoys discovering exotic foods, spending time with his family, and hiking to his new adventure.

Jazmine Askins is thrilled to begin her fourth year of teaching at Austin Academy as the Assistant Choir Director.  Mrs. Askins graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Choral Music Education from Texas A&M University - Commerce. During her collegiate career, she was involved in various choirs, operas, musical productions, solo recitals, and performances nationally and internationally. In 2019, she had the honor of performing under the direction of Dr. Randall Hooper with the Texas A&M University - Commerce Chorale at the Texas Music Educators Association Conference. Mrs. Askins grew up right down the street in Mesquite, TX. She is a member of TMEA, TCDA, and Alpha Phi.

Private lessons are available for all interested students.  Austin is privileged to have two experienced and profession voice teachers who offer lessons to students.  These invaluable lessons reinforce musical skills taught in class and aid in the development of good singing habits.  They correspond with all choral activities (Solo Contest, All-Region, sight reading, etc.) and supplement our musical curriculum.