Clinicians and Directors
Anna Teagarden
Manager
Anna Teagarden is currently the Associate Director of Music and SJD Choristers at the Church of St. John the Divine. She previously served as the Director of Children's Music at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for 16 years. She has managed the RSCM Gulf Coast Course for the past ten years. During that time, the RSCM Gulf Coast Course choir has performed advanced repertoire such as Handel's Messiah, Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, as well as works by Howells, Vierne, Mozart, and many others.
Anna received her Master’s Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Texas. She has performed regularly as a soprano soloist. Acclaimed for her musicality and versatility, Anna has sung in many of the world's great Cathedrals, including Westminster Abbey, Ely Cathedral, Exeter Cathedral, York Minster, National Cathedral, St. Thomas 5th Avenue in New York City, and Thomaskirche Liepzig. She has sung with the RSCM National Choir for three years. She also performs regularly as a jazz vocalist with leading jazz musicians. She also joined Bach Society Houston in 2017.
Her love of Anglican music began with a trip to Germany and York England, where the St. Paul’s Choir was in residence in the summer of 1999 under the direction of Robert Brewer. She has since been very involved with the Royal School of Church Music as Manager of the Gulf Coast course. Anna became a certified examiner for the RSCM bronze and silver exams in 2013.
Anna continues to teach, sing and conduct at St. John's and has served as clinician for various workshops and festivals throughout the state. She has a private studio where she prepares young singers for auditions. She is married with twin daughters.
Bryan Anderson
Manager
Bryan Anderson enjoys a versatile career as a performer, church musician, teacher, and musical collaborator. Across various disciplines and specialties, Bryan’s reputation as an effective musician is well-established.
Bryan is the winner of the 2023 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition. Bryan also took the Louis Robilliard prize and a 3rd prize at the 2021 Canadian International Organ Competition, and the Firmin Swinnen Second Prize at the 2019 Longwood Gardens Organ Competition.
Bryan is employed as Director of Music at Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School in Houston, TX, where he trains all ages of choirs from elementary ages through adults, oversees 8 sung services weekly, and organizes a concert season of outside artists and in-house ensembles. He previously held positions at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston; Wells Cathedral in Somerset, England; and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Tenth Presbyterian Church, both in Philadelphia. He also served as an assistant organist at the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ.
Bryan received his Master’s Degree in organ performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in 2018, where he studied with Ken Cowan. Bryan’s undergraduate work was completed at the Curtis Institute of Music, resulting in his Bachelor’s Degree in organ with Alan Morrison, and an Artist Diploma in harpsichord (studying with Leon Schelhase). Previous teachers were Jeannine Morrison, in piano, and Sarah Martin, in organ.
Shannon Gallier
2024 Choral Residency Director
Shannon Gallier is Director of Music at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At St. James, Shannon oversees a vibrant and growing music program. He has also served parishes in the Dioceses of Indianapolis, Florida, and Atlanta, and is an active member of the Royal School of Church Music in America, having regularly served as staff and director at several of their Summer Training Courses. Shannon holds degrees from Centenary College of Louisiana and Indiana University, where his teachers included Hollice Watson, Larry Smith and Todd Wilson. His first organ studies were with Jerome Wells. He has performed organ recitals and led choirs throughout the United States and is passionate about helping young people experience the joy of singing. Shannon grew up attending RSCM summer training courses and believes deeply in their life-changing mission.
Joe Russell
2024 Choral Residency Organist
Joe Russell currently serves as the Associate Organist & Choir Director at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church & School in Houston, TX. He serves as the primary organist and accompanist for the 8 weekly sung services, as well as assisting in the training of all choirs from elementary school to adults. He previously held positions at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Chestnut Hill, PA), Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church (Houston, TX), and Central United Methodist Church (Traverse City, MI).
Joe has participated in numerous competitions, including the 2019 Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival for Young Professionals, where he won second prize and the David Spicer Hymn Playing award, the 2019 Miami International Organ Competition, where he was awarded second place and the Audience Prize, and the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival for High School students, where he won both first prize and hymn playing award in September 2012. He also won the Chicago regional AGO competition in April 2013.
Joe received his Master’s Degree in Organ Performance from the Shepherd School of Music, at Rice University, with renowned professor Ken Cowan. Prior to his studies at Rice, he received his Bachelor’s Degree at the Curtis Institute of Music, studying organ with Alan Morrison.In addition, Joe graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy, where he studied organ with Thomas Bara and was a recipient of the Fine Arts award. A native of Grayslake, IL, he previously studied organ with Dr. Elizabeth Naegele and piano with Donna Fortney and Ruth Peck.
