CHS Choral Department Staff Members
Eric Cooley, Director
Eric Cooley is in his 15th year as a music educator and 9th year as the Director of Choirs at Centennial High School in Burleson ISD. Mr. Cooley holds a Bachelor of Music Education, magna cum laude, from Baylor University and a Master’s in Choral Music Education at Florida State University.
Choirs under his direction at Centennial are consistent "Sweepstakes" recipients at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest and are frequently named "Best-In-Class" at local, regional festivals. Most recently, the CHS Chamber Singers were honored with as a “Performance of Distinction” at the American Classics’ Madrigal Festival in San Antonio, TX. Prior to his arrival at Centennial, Mr. Cooley served as the assistant director of choirs at LD Bell High School and as the director of the HEB ISD Elementary Honor Choir. Professionally, Mr. Cooley maintains active membership in the Texas Music Educator's Association, the American Choral Director’s Association, the Texas Choral Director's Association, and the Music Educator's National Conference. Most recently, Mr. Cooley has had the honor of serving as the Vocal Chair for TMEA Region 30 and as the organizer for the 2018 and 2019 All-State Tenor Bass Choirs. |
2021-2022 Teaching ScheduleEMAIL ADDRESS: ECOOLEY@BISDMAIL.NET
CHOIR OFFICE EXTENSION: 817-245-0370 
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Jennifer Kubenka, COLLABORATIVE PIANIST
Jennifer Kubenka holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, summa cum laude, from Houston Baptist University. While pursuing her Masters in Library Science at Texas Woman's University, she was an adjunct professor in Opera at University of North Texas.
Jennifer has been accompanying at local churches, middle schools, high schools, and universities for nearly 40 years. In addition to her duties at Centennial HS, Jennifer also regularly accompanies student solo and ensemble contest performances in Arlington, Grapevine-Colleyville, and HEB ISD. She also collaborates with several students at UTA and as well, with Colleen Mallette Hughes at TCU.
Jennifer is an alumnus of Sigma Alpha Iota, and when time permits, she participates in the Fort Worth SAI Alumni chapter events.
Jennifer has been accompanying at local churches, middle schools, high schools, and universities for nearly 40 years. In addition to her duties at Centennial HS, Jennifer also regularly accompanies student solo and ensemble contest performances in Arlington, Grapevine-Colleyville, and HEB ISD. She also collaborates with several students at UTA and as well, with Colleen Mallette Hughes at TCU.
Jennifer is an alumnus of Sigma Alpha Iota, and when time permits, she participates in the Fort Worth SAI Alumni chapter events.
Tamara Garrett, CMEP VOICE TEACHER
Tamara Garrett received her Master’s of Music Education from Southern Methodist University after completing her Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Hardin-Simmons University. After teaching choral music in the Texas public school system for eight years, she currently teaches privately in Burleson ISD and maintains an active voice studio from her home in Forth Worth.
As a classically trained soprano, musical theatre performer, music educator, and former 3-year member of the Texas All-State Choir, Tamara particularly enjoys helping students prepare for solo, choral, and musical theatre auditions of all kinds. She is well acquainted with the stage and the rigorous expectations set on young singers in their musical pursuits.
Under her coaching, students have gained admission to music programs and universities across the country, TMEA Region and All-State Choirs, and have won honors, including Most Outstanding Performer, at UIL State Solo & Ensemble. She is an active member of the Texas Music Educator’s Association and maintains teaching certification in K-12 Choral Music.
As a classically trained soprano, musical theatre performer, music educator, and former 3-year member of the Texas All-State Choir, Tamara particularly enjoys helping students prepare for solo, choral, and musical theatre auditions of all kinds. She is well acquainted with the stage and the rigorous expectations set on young singers in their musical pursuits.
Under her coaching, students have gained admission to music programs and universities across the country, TMEA Region and All-State Choirs, and have won honors, including Most Outstanding Performer, at UIL State Solo & Ensemble. She is an active member of the Texas Music Educator’s Association and maintains teaching certification in K-12 Choral Music.
Dr. ALlison Rohrer, CMEP VOICE TEACHER
Allison Rohrer received her Bachelor of Music in Voice and Bachelor of Music Education in Voice degrees from Indiana University and studied with Martina Arroyo and Mary Ann Hart. While at Indiana University, she participated in the Lied seminar of Leonard Hokanson. In 1999 she attended the German for Singers program at Middlebury College in Vermont. She was awarded a full fellowship to the Aspen Music Festival, and was a member of the vocal performance studies program, which focused on Lied and vocal chamber music. While at Aspen, Allison was a winner of the vocal concerto competition. In 2002 she won a Fulbright scholarship to Düsseldorf, Germany where she studied at the Robert Schumann Hochschule für Musik with Kammersängerin Jeanne Piland.
Allison was a young artist at Central City Opera, San Francisco Opera Center’s Merola Opera Program, and Music Academy of the West. Allison completed her Master of Music in Voice and Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice degrees at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music where she studied with Tom Baresel. While living in Cincinnati, Allison performed regularly with the Wagner Society of Cincinnati. She has performed such roles as Alma March in Little Women, Zita in Gianni Schicchi, Giovanna in Rigoletto, and Miss Wingrave in Owen Wingrave. Allison just moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area from Germany where she was auditioning and performing.
Allison was a young artist at Central City Opera, San Francisco Opera Center’s Merola Opera Program, and Music Academy of the West. Allison completed her Master of Music in Voice and Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice degrees at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music where she studied with Tom Baresel. While living in Cincinnati, Allison performed regularly with the Wagner Society of Cincinnati. She has performed such roles as Alma March in Little Women, Zita in Gianni Schicchi, Giovanna in Rigoletto, and Miss Wingrave in Owen Wingrave. Allison just moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area from Germany where she was auditioning and performing.
Mr. Dean Willis, CMEP Voice Teacher
Dean Willis a bass-baritone from American Samoa. He currently holds an MM in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University as a student of Virginia Dupuy and an MM in Choral Conducting from SMU as a student of Dr. Pamela Elrod Huffman. Dean received his BA in Vocal Performance from Abilene Christian University as a student of Dr. Paul Piersall.
Dean is currently under contract with The Dallas Opera Educational Outreach for the role of Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love for the 2021-2022 season. He is also a member of the professional Dallas-based choir, Orpheus Chamber Singers.
Mr. Willis has previously been booked for engagements with the Fort Worth Symphony as Jesus in the Bach St. Matthew Passion under the direction of Miguel Hearth-Bedoya and as a cover for the Dallas Opera Educational Outreach Program as the Mayor in Bizet’s Dr. Miracle. Dean has also performed the roles of Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Escamillo in Carmen, and Bob in The Old Maid and the Thief. In addition to performance, Dean teaches voice to middle school and high school students in the South Fort Worth, TX area and is the music minister for the Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ in Arlington, TX. Dean lives in Burleson, TX with his wife, Kristen; his two children, Chloe and Camden; and his two dogs, Nala and Liam.
Dean is currently under contract with The Dallas Opera Educational Outreach for the role of Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love for the 2021-2022 season. He is also a member of the professional Dallas-based choir, Orpheus Chamber Singers.
Mr. Willis has previously been booked for engagements with the Fort Worth Symphony as Jesus in the Bach St. Matthew Passion under the direction of Miguel Hearth-Bedoya and as a cover for the Dallas Opera Educational Outreach Program as the Mayor in Bizet’s Dr. Miracle. Dean has also performed the roles of Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Escamillo in Carmen, and Bob in The Old Maid and the Thief. In addition to performance, Dean teaches voice to middle school and high school students in the South Fort Worth, TX area and is the music minister for the Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ in Arlington, TX. Dean lives in Burleson, TX with his wife, Kristen; his two children, Chloe and Camden; and his two dogs, Nala and Liam.
