OUR MUSIC TEAM
Diane Schutz, Music Director, is the music director for St. Paul's United Methodist Church and has been conducting choirs for decades. She received her BA in Choral Conducting at Texas Christian University then went on to receive Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at New Mexico State University. Mrs. Schutz began her teaching career in New Mexico in 1975. Mrs. Schutz taught elementary, middle school and high school choirs for the Gadsden and Las Cruces Public School Districts. Diane served Westside Baptist Church as their Minister of Music for 15 years. Diane served as a Summer missionary at The Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock, Texas.
Asa Cleveland, Primary Accompanist, has been playing the piano since he was very young, having been taught by his mother and sister. He studied under Naomi Rupp and is currently being taught by Lela York. He has accompanied soloists and ensembles in past years and occasionally plays piano for Grace Bible Church as needed. He plays alto sax in the Main Street Homeschool Band and the New Horizons Band, and was first chair alto sax in the 2023 All-State Small School Band. Asa also enjoys playing guitar, violin, mandolin, and ukulele.
Chris Martinez, Assistant Accompanist, started taking piano lessons at the age of 8, studying with Mark Klett. He went on to study with Amanda Gros and Dr. Laura Spritzer (former faculty in piano at NMSU. Chris is now working with Dr. Jung-Won Shin, assistant professor of music at NMSU. His musical experience includes accompanying musicals with local community theatres as well as brass and string soloists at NMSU. Having played violin in the past for four years, he is focusing now on piano. Chris is currently majoring in psychology in the pre-med program at NMSU.