Schola Cantorum - page 1

Since 2004, Schola Cantorum has been serving the English-language community of the Co-Cathedral Parish. Members of the Schola Cantorum, a group of professional singers, professors, teachers, and choral conductors, collectively sing for over 350 Co-Cathedral liturgies annually, either as an ensemble or as cantors and music leaders.   

Cantor since 2017
English Masses; Weddings; Funerals; Baptisms

Gwendolyn Alfred, DMA, Assistant Professor of Voice, Area Coordinator, Texas Southern University is an educator and professional vocalist. She recently premiered a newly-commissioned opera for Houston Grand Opera which landed her in the prestigious Texas Monthly magazine. Her most recent solo debuts were with the Houston Symphony, Houston Civic Symphony, and the Fort Bend Symphony. Alfred was honored as a Living Legend of Southeast Texas specifically for her outstanding leadership in the music field.

A native of Port Arthur, Texas, she received theBachelor of Music degree from the University of Houston, and the Master of Music degree from Lamar University.  She completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Houston, where she was a student of Cynthia Clayton. She has sung over eight notable roles with Moores Opera Center.  Alfred’s most recent project includes developing a non-profit initiative to provide vocal instruction for underprivileged youth in Houston-area school districts entitled Every Voice Lifted.

Cantor since 2013
English and Spanish Masses; Weddings; Funerals; Baptisms; various special liturgies

Eric Laine, tenor, appeared most recently as Peter Quint in Red River Lyric Opera’s production of The Turn of the Screw. A graduate of the University of Houston Moores School of Music, Eric was active in the Moores Opera Center and has been a regular chorister with Houston Grand Opera since 2017. Two summers ago, Eric participated as a young artist in the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival’s Institute of Bel Canto Studies, Le Chiavi. His concert appearances have included Messiah, Missa in Angustiis, Schubert’s Mass in G, Pergolesi’s Miserere, and J.S. Bach’s Uns ist ein Kind geboren, among others.

Cantor since 2011
Spanish Masses; Weddings

Soprano Melissa Medina is currently the choir director at Bobby Shaw Middle School in Pasadena ISD. She grew up in the Pasadena area and attended Louisiana State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree. She currently sings with the Houston Symphony Chorus and has sung with the Bay Area Chorus in the past.

Cantor since 2018
Spanish Masses

Soprano Jessica Rangel was born and raised in Pasadena and is currently the Assistant Choir Director at Queens intermediate in Pasadena ISD. Previously, she was the music teacher at Richey Elementary. She sings with the Houston Symphony Chorus, as well as the Spanish choir at St. Helen Catholic Church. She holds an Associate of Arts degree from San Jacinto College and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Cantor since 2015
English and Spanish Masses; Baptisms

Born in Rockport, TX, baritone Tyson Ruhmann moved to Houston in 2006 to attend the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. While there, he has traveled with Moores Concert Chorale on several international competitions, performed in opera chorus, and graduated with a degree in Music Education. Tyson has taught for choral programs in Baytown and Spring. He has performed in several weddings and impromptu ensembles throughout the greater Houston area. Tyson sings with the Houston Symphony Chorus in his spare time.