HSPVA Friends

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HSPVA Friends

The 501(c)(3) non-profit partner of HISD's Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts

08/10/2026

Collaborative pianist Stephanie Blue (Instrumental ’81) has accompanied HSPVA students since 1982 and serves as the band director for All-School and Theatre Department musicals.

Over four decades, she has watched generations of young artists develop from nervous freshmen into confident performers. “Seeing a kid struggle in the ninth grade, encouraging them not to give up, and then seeing them flourish by the time they’re seniors,” she said. “That’s really cool.”

07/23/2026

Brooke Barnes (Dance ‘97) has been teaching at HSPVA since 2002! From pop show choreography for the Vocal Music Department, dance classes in the Theatre Department, and directing 15 All-School Black History Productions, Brooke is an integral part of the HSPVA community.

We are so grateful to Brooke and all of our adjunct faculty for their dedication and years of service!

07/17/2026

Up next: Michael Mertz!

Music director and pianist Michael Mertz has worked with the Theatre, Dance, and Vocal Music Departments since 1999, though his connection to HSPVA dates back even further. He played his first senior recital for the Vocal Music Department in 1975.

Thank you for your mentorship of students over the past 27 years, Mr. Mertz!

07/16/2026

Kinder HSPVA’s Annual Summer Gallery Show opens Saturday at 11am! Come to POST Houston to see the pieces pictured here and many, many more!

📍POST Houston, X Atrium (401 Franklin Street)
🗓️July 18-August 16
⏰11am–6pm daily
🚗Free 1-hour parking

07/14/2026

Prepping for the Annual Summer Gallery Show, this year at POST Houston! This annual juried exhibition features the remarkable talent of the Visual Arts’ Class of 2026 and rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.

📍POST Houston, X Atrium (401 Franklin Street)
🗓️July 18-August 16
⏰11am–6pm daily
No charge to get in! Come explore any day of the week!

07/12/2026

Next up in our consultant spotlight series is Art Fristoe. Mr. Fristoe has worked in the Instrumental Music Department since 2009. Today, he teaches jazz piano and coaches the jazz rhythm section, where students learn to improvise and perform as part of an ensemble.

Fristoe believes jazz equips students with skills they can apply in virtually any musical setting. “If you’re going to sing at church, join a rock band, or end up in Chris Stapleton’s country band, having a foundation in jazz is a cheat code,” he said.

Thank you, Mr. Fristoe, for 17 years at Kinder HSPVA and your impact on students!

07/07/2026

HSPVA Friends funds more than 150 adjunct faculty and guest artists each year. Jeanne Doornbos is just one example. She first joined HSPVA in 2005 after a distinguished ballet career and years of teaching at the University of Houston. She teaches ballet classes and choreographs original works for the Dance Department’s concerts. According to Dance Department Chair Courtney Jones ’99, “Ms. Doornbos cares deeply about her students and works tirelessly to help them recognize their potential as artists.”

That potential is one reason Doornbos has continued teaching at HSPVA for more than 20 years. “The students are really thrilled about just being alive, getting to move, and learn new things,” she said. “They have their whole lives ahead of them. It’s very rejuvenating.”

07/03/2026

Celebrating 250 years of America and 55 years of HSPVA!

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Address

PO Box 52910
Houston, TX
77052

Website

https://linktr.ee/hspvafriends

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