Graduate Students
Elyssia Fe
Elyssia Fe is a graduate student at Texas State University, pursuing a Master of Music with a concentration in choral conducting. She serves as a graduate choral assistant and as a Graduate Instructional Assistant for Introduction to Fine Arts, supporting undergraduate instruction, and studies under the direction of Dr. Craig Hella Johnson. Elyssia earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance with a concentration in voice from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, graduating summa cum laude as an Honors College member.
During her undergraduate studies, Elyssia was a student conductor, section leader, and music theory tutor, supporting singers in rehearsal preparation and musical development. At Texas State, she is an associate conductor with University Singers, leading rehearsals, assisting with logistics, and conducting performances. She previously held the same role with Aurora Voce and remains active in church music as a soprano section leader and conductor. Elyssia also performs with the Conspirare Symphonic Choir in Austin.
Elyssia’s interests include rehearsal pedagogy and building community within choral ensembles. She is a co-investigator on a research study examining perceptions of mattering among GALA chorus members. Outside of music, Elyssia enjoys cooking, developing new recipes, and crocheting her own wearable projects. After completing her master’s degree, she plans to pursue further study in choral conducting and a career in collegiate choral music.
Contact Elyssia: elyssia.fe@txstate.edu
Levi Lebsack
Levi Lebsack earned a Bachelor of Science in Music from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. While completing their degree, Lebsack founded Refuge Chamber Choir, a student ensemble featured in local church services, conventions, and conferences.
Upon entering the career field, Lebsack revitalized the middle school choral program at All-Saints’ Episcopal School while simultaneously serving as Assistant Music Director for the Dallas-based chamber choir, Inspirata. Currently, he works as a Graduate Instructional Assistant at Texas State University and as the Assistant Conductor of the Austin Symphonic Chorus.
When not researching the traditional music of the Appalachian Mountains, Lebsack can be found planning his next tournament for the Texas Smash Bros Melee community or chasing after his next ace at the local disc golf course.
Contact Levi: lebsack@txstate.edu
Madison Shortes
Madison Shortes is a graduate student at Texas State University pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting. She serves as a Graduate Assistant working with Chorale and Aurora Voce, as well as assisting in conducting and choral library operations. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University, where she studied under Dr. Soo Han, Dr. Dirk Garner, Dr. Brendan Caldwell, and Jordan Saul.
Before beginning her graduate studies, Shortes served as Head Choir Director and Piano Instructor at Cedar Creek High School in Bastrop, Texas. There she directed varsity mixed, treble, and tenor-bass ensembles and taught all levels of piano. Under her leadership, the choral program earned multiple Sweepstakes awards at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading and tripled in enrollment. She has also taught choir and general music at the intermediate level. She is committed to creating meaningful musical experiences and fostering student-centered communities.
Shortes maintains an active role in the barbershop harmony community. She currently serves as Director of A Cappella Unlimited, a chorus affiliated with Sweet Adelines International, and Director of Heart of Texas Chorus, affiliated with the Barbershop Harmony Society. She is also a member of Harmony Incorporated. In 2023, she earned an international first-place medal in the Sweet Adelines Rising Star Quartet Competition.
Her work in barbershop harmony centers on perpetuating the style as a traditional American folk music form, developing curriculum, supporting research, and creating unity through harmony. Her academic interests include vocal pedagogy and music education research, particularly as it relates to vernacular choral traditions.
Contact Madison: madison.shortes@txstate.edu
Caleb Peña
Joe Paris
Joe Paris is a graduate assistant in the choral area at Texas State University. He is pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting.
Prior to his studies at Texas State, Joe served as 7 – 12 Vocal Music Teacher at Byron – Bergen CSD in Western New York where he taught three curricular vocal ensembles, founded an a cappella ensemble, taught electives in music theory, musical theater, and technical theater. He graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2021 with degrees in Music Education (B.M.) and Theatrical Production and Design (B.F.A.).
As a singer, he has performed several times with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Cumberland Choral Arts, and the Cross Creek Chorale. He has also worked professionally in theater production as technical director, lead carpenter, and props throughout the Eastern United States. His musical interests include choral-orchestral repertoire, choral fugues, fostering and developing expressive ensemble singing, and finding ways to make repertoire engaging and relevant to contemporary audiences.
Contact Joe: Joe_Paris@txstate.edu