About Us

Brenda Varvoutis is no stranger to Music Education in the Houston area. A native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, she holds a Bachelor of Music from

University of Houston and a Performance Certificate from the International Academie in Nice, France. Her conducting experience spans twenty-five years in public and private school education at the elementary, junior high and high school levels. She has consistently led award winning programs with her choirs in UIL and regional competitions, as well as community and civic performances and Broadway musical productions. Brenda is also the Musical Director at Lakeside Lutheran Church and serves as a clinician and adjudicator for UIL contests and choral festivals across Texas. She is affiliated with TMEA, TMAA, TCDA, and ACDA. Brenda’s desire has always been to instill a life-long love of music in the lives of the children she teaches.

Mike Tuneberg is the director of the apprentice choir for the Bay Area Youth Singers. Mike holds a bachelors degree in music education from Edinboro

Univ of Pennsylvania, and also pursued a masters degree in operatic vocal performance at Loyola University in New Orleans La. Mike has been a music educator for 20 years and has taught choral groups from elementary on up. He also served for 13 years as the children’s choir director at Bay Harbour UMC. Mike is presently the choral director at Thompson Intermediate in Pasadena ISD. Mike resides in League City with his wife Joy and their two children Julia and Seth.

Mendy K. Alford attended Gainesville State College and finished her studies on a music scholarship at

U of H, where she received her degree in organ performance. Mendy accompanies the Chancel and Bel Canto Choirs at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, where she is assistant organist/accompanist. She also teaches music to K-5th graders at Bay Area Charter Elementary School.

Carol Barwick is the executive director for BAYS. She is a retired choral director from Seabrook Int School in CCISD, and a 30 year veteran of teaching K-12 choral music. Carol has also served as Adjunct Professor of Music Education at U of H; maintains a private piano studio of about 25 students; directs the Symphony League sponsored group “The Note-Ables”, and is the owner and CEO of B & B Steel Products. She wants to get children singing, reading music, and listening!