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Dr. Tyrone Block, Director of Fine Arts
Dr. Tyrone J. Block, born in Dumas, Arkansas, has been playing trombone since he was a young child. During his career, he has won numerous competitions including the Northeast Arkansas Young Artist Concerto Competition, Walt Disney All-American Marching, Duke Ellington Jazz Band, and was voted Brass Player of the Year at the University of Arkansas-Monticello for two years.
Dr. Block’s formal training began at Dumas High School where he was named to the All-State Band for three years and also the prestigious Governor’s School. He attended the University of Arkansas-Monticello where he received his B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) in music performance. In addition, he attended the Armed Forces School of Music where he graduated first in his class. During this time, he traveled with the United States Navy Show Band and toured three continents, many countries, and the United States.
Block received his M.M. (Masters of Music) in performance from the University of North Texas with a related field in ethnomusicology. He also completed his D.M.A. (Doctorate of Musical Arts) at the University of North Texas. He has served several public schools in DFW in addition to honor bands, all-region, and all-state bands. Dr. Block has performed in numerous orchestras, symphonies, and ensembles. He has also been a featured soloist. He is currently the Dean of the College of Arts and Communications at Nelson University and part of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Mrs. Elizabeth De La Rosa, Assistant Band Director
A native of North Mexico, Elizabeth Mora De La Rosa graduated from Texas State University-San Marcos with a bachelor's in All-Level Music Studies- Instrumental Concentration in Spring 2017. In December of 2019 De La Rosa received a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Nelson University. She currently serves as a woodwind professor for the music department at Nelson University (formerly SAGU) and Assistant Band Director/Private Lesson teacher with Southern Star Fine Arts. She strives to create a positive impact in the next generation and has a lifelong appreciation of the arts.
Mrs. Kramer, Piano Instructor
Mrs. Kramer, Piano Instructor
Mrs. Kramer teaches group piano for Southern Star Fine Arts. Mrs. Kramer is a professor at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (Waxahachie, TX), teaching applied piano. She is a sought after pianist, teacher, adjudicator, accompanist and collaborative artist for performers, university and high school ensembles, churches, faculty, guest, and student recitals, and vocal/instrumental competitions. Mrs. Kramer is in high demand as a piano teacher and has taught private piano for 18 years. She has taught a wide range of students and enjoys sharing her passion for music making. Mina Kramer is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs, Euterpean Music Club (Fort Worth, TX), Arlington Music Teachers Association (Arlington, TX), Music Teachers National Association, Texas Music Educators Association, World Piano Pedagogy Conference and Association and was past-president of the Brownsville Federated Music Club. Her students have enjoyed involvement in the activities of these associations and participating in festivals, competitions, recitals, and ensemble concerts.
Recently, she was a full time lecturer professor of the University of Texas-Brownsville in Brownsville, Texas. She taught applied piano, freshman theory, aural skills, class piano, piano pedagogy, and served as Class Piano Coordinator and department webmaster. She also served on many hiring and program development committees for the university. At UTB/TSC Mrs. Kramer founded and directed the UTB/TSC Music Academy, a preparatory music school for young children. Serving over 200 students each semester in the Brownsville area, Mrs. Kramer developed this program from her previous experiences in other preparatory programs throughout the country and from her extensive private teaching studios. She taught preschool music and piano to students who were dedicated and diligent in learning piano. She also mentored piano majors in developing their teaching skills. During her time in Brownsville, she organized several piano festivals and events for students in the Rio Grande Valley.
Mrs. Kramer has been an adjunct piano professor at Indiana University School of Music at IUPUI and Anderson University. She has performed solo and chamber recitals throughout Illinois, Indiana, Texas, and Mexico, and has received many honors and awards for her performances. She is a proud mother of two along with her husband, Adam, a successful band director in Fort Worth.
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