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Music Staff
Ara Carapetyan
Director of Music
With over 50 years experience as a choral conductor and church musician, Ara is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and pursued master’s and doctoral degrees in choral conducting at The University of Texas at Austin. He is a life member of American Choral Directors Association, a member of Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and the Austin Chapter of American Guild of Organists. For over 20 years, he was Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church, Houston, until his retirement late in 1999. He was Interim Music Director at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, until early 2002 when he became Director of Music at University Presbyterian Church.
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Scott McNulty
Organist
The organist at UPC since 2003, Scott has a master’s degree in organ performance from the University of Texas at Austin, studying with Drs. Gerre and Judith Hancock. He has been involved with many local guilds, including the American Guild of Organists, Choristers Guild, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, the Austin District Music Teachers Association, and the Anglican Association of Musicians. In addition to maintaining a private teaching studio at the church, he is an adjunct professor of music theory at the Art Institute of Austin, and organist at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He has traveled extensively to Europe and the United States for choir and solo performances.
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Mary Ann Parker
Director of Sound of Angels Choir
Mary Ann graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 1958 with a B.S. in Music and Minor in Business. She has taught school, taught piano privately, worked as the Administrator of a Third Party Prescription Drug Reimbursement Program for Texas Pharmacy Foundation and managed the New York Life office of Senior Life Underwriter Dean Caswell for over 20 years. In semi-retirement she currently serves as Vice President of Administration for Parker Associates. She has held offices in numerous PTAs, Pharmacy Auxiliaries and other non-profit organizations. She received the 2002 Exceptional Service Award from Texas Pharmacy Association for years of volunteer work and fund raising. Mary Ann has been a member of UPC and UPC Chancel Choir since 1960; is an ordained Elder; has taught Sunday School, directed music program for Vacation Bible School; Youth Choir director for several years; has directed the Children’s Choir at University Presbyterian Church for 16 years producing 2 musicals each year. She has been married to Luther Parker for 51 years, is the mother of two children. Robin and Stephen (children of this church) and the grandmother of 5 – Adam, Blake, Whitney, Jordan and Jacob.
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David Cappolino
Accompanist
David originally came to UPC in 1979 while attending The University of Texas. He has served as accompanist for the Sound of Angels, the Celebration Singers and the Chancel Choir. He is an accomplished, professionally trained musician performing as a pianist/accompanist and organist within the broad areas of professional musical theatre and Broadway reviews, UIL solo & ensemble and vocal accompaniment, as well as classical and church music. In addition, he has considerable experience as a musical director and singer, performing with the Houston Symphony Chorus. David holds a Bachelor of Music degree (graduated summa cum laude) and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. David is married to Karen Cappolino and they have a son David Andrew who is currently a Senior at The University of Texas.
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Meg McReynolds
Director of Joyful Noise Handbell Choir
Meg has been the bell director since the fall of 2006, and has been playing bells herself for over 25 years. She loves that handbells offer the opportunity to participate musically for someone who loves music but doesn’t have confidence in her ability to sing or his ability to play a more “standard” instrument – anyone can play and make a beautiful sound. For her “day job”, Meg works for Charles Schwab in Quality Assurance for the retail call center. She also volunteers at Town Lake Animal Shelter when she’s not playing with her own three dogs or hanging out with her husband, Tommy.
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