Melissa Dufrechou
Melissa Dufrechou has been teaching string classes the
Tuscaloosa City schools since 2005 when
"Strings in Schools" began. Mrs. Dufrechou has also taught
Kindermusik and piano classes at Musical Beginnings and preschool music and
children's choir at First Presbyterian Church, both in Tuscaloosa. She also teaches private
piano and violin.
Mrs. Dufrechou earned her undergraduate degree from
the University of Alabama, summa cum laude, and her Masters degree
from Auburn University. She is certified
with a Class A Certificate in the "highly qualified" category.
While serving as Vice President/President Elect, she is also
beginning her second year as district chair for the West Central District.
A violinist since the age off our, Mrs. Dufrechou
plays actively as a member of the string quartet "Four Strings
Attached." She is also a singer and has sung lead roles in The Marriage of Figaro and selections
from The Magic Flute.
She has won vocal competitions including first place at the Alabama
Federation of Music Clubs' annual vocal competition. She was chosen
as the University
of Alabama Music Senior
of the Year and Presser Scholar. She is also a member of Phi Kappa
Phi Honor Society.
Allison Lavender
Allison Lavender began teaching in the string program
in August, 2007. Although new to the City Schools, Mrs. Lavender is no
stranger to strings or Tuscaloosa.
She has played the violin since the age of five. Mrs. Lavender credits her
early exposure to symphony orchestra performances as fostering her love of
music. During high school she studied violin privately with University of Alabama
faculty at the Moody
Music Building.
Mrs. Lavender earned her undergraduate degree from the
University of
Mississippi in 2007.
She was a finalist in the University
of Mississippi Concerto Competition
in 2003 and 2005. For the last 5 years while pursuing her college studies
Mrs. Lavender taught private violin lessons to children ages 4 and up. She
was also concert mistress of the Lafayette Oxford University Symphony in Mississippi for
three years. Mrs. Lavender has played in the Pine Bluff,
Arkansas Symphony and the Corinth, Mississippi
Symphony as well. She is a regular performer on violin and viola for
weddings and church events all over the Southeast.
Her hobbies include spending time with her husband,
Paul and their lab Lucy. She enjoys traveling, listening to music, and
going out with family and friends.
Mrs. Lavender is very excited about the opportunity to
teach strings in the Tuscaloosa City Schools. She says "Strings class
teaches students self esteem, confidence, and leadership. It is here that
students develop meaningful artistic experiences that will last a
lifetime." To parents and students Mrs. Lavender says "Welcome to
Strings! I look forward to sharing my love of music with you!"
Thomas Furlough
Mr. Furlough began his educational career as a student
at Troy State University
where he received a BA in Music Education. During his time at Troy
Mr. Furlough performed not only with school groups but also professional
organizations such as The Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Southeastern
Orchestra, The Night Flight Big Band, The Guy Lombardo Band, and pop groups
such as The Temptations Review, Brian McNight, and Lee Greenwood.
In 2007 Mr. Furlough received a Masters in Music in
Arranging from the University
of Alabama.
About the Coordinator
Dr. Anne Witt
Dr. Anne Cleino Witt grew up in Tuscaloosa,
and graduated from the University
of Alabama in 1967
with a degree in Music Education. She earned Master's and Ph.D. degrees
from the University of Texas at Austin.
For fourteen years, she taught middle school and high
school orchestra and strings in Austin, and
was Director of the University
of Texas String Project
for two years. She teaches strings and music education at the University of
Alabama School of Music.
She has been a frequent presenter at state and
national music education conferences, and guest conductor of festival and All State orchestras. Dr. Witt is an
author of materials for teachers and students.
Past leadership roles include being President of the
Texas Orchestra Directors Association and President of the American String
Teachers Association. She was a professional cellist in the Austin Symphony
for twenty years. She currently serves as President of the Alabama chapter of
the American String Teachers Association.
Dr. Witt plays
cello with the students and helps organize activities. She led the
community initiative that raised the funds for Strings in Schools, and
organized the structure of the program.
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