Don McAvoy serves as the Minister of Music at Kerrville’s First United Methodist Church where he oversees a comprehensive music program that includes choral and instrumental music for all ages and abilities and an extensive musical outreach to the entire Hill Country Community. Prior to his appointment to Kerrville, Don has served United Methodist churches in Brenham, Rockwall and San Antonio, TX; Edina, MN; and Norman, OK.
Don graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX in 1987 with a B.A. in Music (Voice/Church Music). From 1990-1993 he attended Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology where he became certified by the United Methodist Church in Church Music and subsequently completed the coursework for Diaconal Ministry. He was consecrated in 1994 and was ordained as a Deacon in Full Connection in 1997. In 2006, he graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN with a Masters of Sacred Music degree with an emphasis in Choral Conducting. His professional involvement includes the Texas Choral Directors Association, American Choral Directors Association, Choristers Guild, the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Youth CUE, and the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts.
Don is married to Michele Wells McAvoy and together they are the proud parents of Alexander (b. 1997). The McAvoys enjoy travelling and spending time in the Colorado Rockies.
Patricia Lee is the HCYO Conductor and the Kathleen C. Cailloux Director of Education for the Hill Country Youth Orchestras. She is the first named Director of Education for HCYO. In this capacity, she guides a comprehensive instrumental music education program that encompasses a beginning strings ensemble class, intermediate orchestra levels, advanced chamber music ensembles, and a full symphony orchestra performing the symphonic literature. Under her direction, the students of HCYO have received awards and scholarships at the local, state, and national level, and participate in community outreach throughout the Hill Country.
Patricia Lee attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where she was a scholarship student of Arianna Bronne. She graduated with a Bachelor of Violin Performance and has devoted her career to teaching the traditions and philosophy of her mentors. Her experience with youth orchestras began when she was a student violinist in the New York All-City Orchestra under the direction of Leon Barzin, founder of the National Orchestral Institute. Her orchestral training under accomplished artists frm New York and Philadelphia inspired her to share her love of music and the orchestral experience.
Ms. Lee received her Teacher Certification in Music from the University of Houston. In addition to her teacher certification, she attended the Ohio Montessori Training Institute affiliated with Case Western Reserve University where she studied child development. She has also taught and directed award-winning public and private school orchestra programs in Texas since 1982.
From 2000 to 2009, Ms. Lee worked with Youth Orchestras of San Antonio as a conductor and as the Director of String Education. In the spring of 2004, Dr. Dan Troxell, Superintendant of the Kerrville Independent School District, invited her to establish the new KISD Orchestra Program. The KISD middle and high school orchestras have since earned consecutive sweepstakes in UIL Concert and Sight-Reading competition, and the elementary orchestra programs have brought state-wide recognition and been honored for special program innovation and best educational practices.
As a violinist, Ms. Lee performs regularly and holds the Principal Second Chair in the Symphony of the Hills. Patricia Lee and her husband Brad Lee together founded the Oak Leaf Quartet, a professional string ensemble in the Hill Country and enjoy performing throughout the year.
Sharon Kubenka is the Staff Assistant for the Hill Country Youth Orchestras. Ms. Kubenka has a degree in Elementary Education from Southwest Texas State University, with a minor in Music. She received her Masters in Education from Schreiner University, graduating Cum Laude. After many years in the classroom and working on a district administrative level, she became principal of Ingram Elementary school. Retiring from education, Ms. Kubenka now is sharing her administrative expertise with the Hill Country Youth Orchestras.
