STARNOTE PIANO STUDIO
STARNOTE PIANO STUDIO
SPECIALIST IN OLDER BEGINNERS & TRANSFERS AGES 8 - 80
Starla Jackson
B.M.E., M.M., M.L.A
A native Houstonian, Starla Jackson holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree in piano teaching and choral/instrumental conducting from Montana State University. She holds a Master of Music from the University of Houston, and a Master of Liberal Arts from Houston Baptist University. A summa cum laude graduate at all these institutions, Mrs. Jackson has completed coursework toward a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Houston.
Starla Jackson is certified as an instructor in private studio piano teaching and music theory by the Music Teachers National Association.
Mrs. Jackson served as Chair of the Piano Department at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, where she founded the Washington County Arts Council. In addition, she organized the Brenham Area Music Teachers Association and served on the board of directors for the Brenham Choral Society and the Brenham Fine Arts League. Mrs. Jackson produced and broadcast the Radio Central Artsguide on KTTX-AM and KWHI-FM for seven years. She was honored by the city and county with the first Washington County Arts Achievement Award in 1990.
In addition to 30 years of teaching, Starla Jackson has extensive performance experience. She began her professional career at age 11 as a church pianist/organist in Houston. By 13, she was also accompanying choral groups and instrumentalists.
Mrs. Jackson has served both youth and professional artists as an accompanist for vocal and instrumental concerts, competitions, and auditions. She has volunteered 1,000+ hours as a music therapist for the elderly and the mentally-challenged.
A winner of the Bronze Medal in the International Bach Tricentennial Recording Competition, Mrs. Jackson performs regularly as a recitalist with vocal and instrumental professionals.
A Wortham Theater Volunteer Lobby Pianist, she also enjoys performing jazz and popular music in a variety of venues.
With an extensive background in directing and accompanying regional music theater in several states, Starla Jackson was co-founder of the first resident opera company in the state of Montana. In 1978, a production of Verdi's La Traviata was presented featuring her Rocky Mountain neighbor, Metropolitan Opera baritone Pablo Elvira. The Intermountain Opera Company was born and still performs today.
A 30-year member of MENSA, Starla was elected an Outstanding Young Woman of America and went on to be named Woman of the Year by the American Biographical Institute. Mrs. Jackson's biography appears in a number of publications including:
Who's Who in America
Who's Who in Education
Who's Who in Entertainment
Who's Who in Contemporary Achievement
Two Thousand Notable Women in America
Most recently, Starla held positions with Houston Grand Opera as both Accompanist/Vocal Coach and Senior Publications Editor.
Mrs. Jackson currently serves as pianist/organist for the Huntsville Church of God. She performs regularly at Carriage Inn and other venues in Walker County.