Professor Shareen Vader retired from public school teaching in May of 2019, after a very successful career of 31 years in public school education. She has a double major in Music Performance (Voice and Piano) and holds an All-Level Music Education degree from Texas State University in San Marcos. She also received a Master's in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University. Professors studied with include Dr. Robert Whalin (Piano), Peggy Brunner (Voice), Dr. Kenneth Fulton (Choral Studies), Betty Whitlock (Violin), and Dr. John Schmidt and Dr. Russell Riepe (Music Theory). Prof. Vader has been married to her loving husband, Morris since 1987. They enjoy the outdoors, gardening, riding horses, and of course, special time with their children, and grandchildren.
Prof. Vader began piano lessons at the age of 4 with Mrs. Frances Sledge in Kyle, Tx., where Shareen grew up and attended school (Hays CISD). By the 4th grade, she also began violin lessons. During her high school years, she began studies with Dr. Robert Whalin at then, Southwest Texas State University, while also playing the violin with the SWTSU Orchestra, as well as the Mid-Texas Symphony. Shareen was the first string All-State Orchestra member from Hays CISD.
She began her teaching career in the Lamar CISD in Rosenberg, Texas, teaching elementary music, as well as middle school and high school choir. In 1996, she moved to the Seguin area and taught with Judson ISD for nine years, teaching High School Choral Music and Music Theory for three years at Judson High School, and then taught elementary music at Crestview Elementary School in Judson ISD for six years, where she received the honor of Distinguished Educator in 2002-2003.
Prof. Vader went on to begin a Choral program at La Vernia ISD, teaching intermediate and secondary music and choir for four years. She completed her public-school teaching at Canyon High School in Comal ISD from 2009-2019, teaching secondary choir and piano classes. She joined the TLU Community Music Academy staff in 2017, directing the youth choirs and became CMA Director in June of 2019. In addition, Prof. Vader continues to accompany for local schools and UIL events, while serving on the adjunct faculty at TLU.