Young Audiences Arts for Learning of Northeast Texas Newsletter

Welcome back to all the students, faculty, and staff across Region 7 as we kick off our 26th year serving northeast Texas with Arts for Learning!

The 22/23 numbers are in and it is something to CELEBRATE!

Linda Armstrong

Linda was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. Both of her parents were educators in Tyler.  Her mother was an English professor at TJC for 30+ years and her father was the Educational Director at Marvin Church for 30 years. From a young age, Linda was singing and performing at her church, and at her schools. Linda was honored to receive the Tyler Music Coterie’s Young Musician of the Year in 1981.  She sang and also performed on piano and on her French Horn. Linda received her Music education from Tyler Jr. College, North Texas State University and East Texas State University, respectively, and holds a Master of Music. Over the years Linda has performed in many musicals, opera, and in many churches as well. She has two grown children: Anna, who lives with her in Tyler, and Charlie, a proud soldier serving in the US Military: specializing in the Patriot Missile Battery.

Phil Rumbley

As a recently retired music educator, Phil Rumbley’s teaching experience includes Caldwell Arts Academy, Dogan Middle School, Dawson Middle School and Grace Community School. Rumbley is also adjunct faculty at Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas Tyler as a bass professor, and has recently had his music published by the Texas Jazz Educators Association for all state audition material. With over thirty years teaching experience, Rumbley received his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Dallas and his masters degree in music education from Tarleton State University and recently was accepted into the doctoral program at Liberty University. Phil resides in Tyler with his awesome wife Karen and loving son Scotty.

Kyle Gullings

Kyle Gullings is associate professor at the University of Texas at Tyler School of Performing Arts, where he served as Director (2019 to 2023). He is co-author of Open Music Theory Version 2, and his peer-reviewed scholarship is published in Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, NACWPI Journal, and Engaging Students: Essays in Music Pedagogy.

A collaborative composer of stage, vocal, and chamber works addressing diverse social topics, Gullings is a three-time composition competition national finalist (National Opera Association, SCI/ASCAP). He holds a D.M.A. and M.M. in Composition from The Catholic University of America, and a B.M. in Theory/Composition from Concordia College. www.kylegullings.com

Joe Spadea

Joe has been a journalist and in the TV News business for more than 30 years. He is currently the News Director for KETK/FOX51 and ketk.com. Joe is from Pennsylvania and has worked in Rhode Island, Boston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Omaha and Baton Rouge before coming to East Texas. The TV business has Joe and his wife Becky all across the country. His daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters live in Aledo and his son is a National Park Ranger in Boston. Joe is always looking for his next great meal or just a cool, local dive bar.

To learn more about ALL of our amazing board members, click the link below!

Sponsorship opportunities are available for our two big events! Consider being a sponsor today!

Our students need the healing, expressive power of the arts now more than ever! Any gift amount helps us continue our mission of providing arts access to the students of northeast Texas!

Young Audiences Arts for Learning of Northeast Texas is supported in part by: