Cheryl Amelang

Mrs. Amelang has been teaching piano for 23 years and is the head piano teacher and owner of Brenham Music Academy.  She began playing at age two and started taking lessons when she was five years old from Sue Lancaster in Bryan, Texas. Cheryl grew up playing in Guild, accompanied choirs, played for church, started a band when she was 14 years old, and was very active in the community with her gifts, as she still is today.  She is  president of the Brenham Area Music Teachers Association (BAMTA), and a member TMTA, and the MTNA, and National Guild of Piano Teachers.  Cheryl was commissioned to publish her first piano arrangement "Your Love Flows Like A River" in June 2010, for the National Presbyterian Assembly in Minneapolis. Her arrangement is suitable for advanced pianists.  Cheryl was also a guest speaker at the June 2010 Convention in Arlington.  Her music is now being sold at Dowling Music in Houston and the new Manhattan location as well. 

Cheryl has a unique ability to sight read and improvise her own compositions and arrangements.  When Cheryl plays, people are touched and speak of the healing and encouragement they receive.  Cheryl's vision for Brenham Music Academy is "To raise up well-rounded and skilled musicians that are gifted by God to play as soloists as well as with other musicians worshipping God with creativity and spontaneity."  She has also released two solo piano CD's, one that is a collection of original songs presented in an instrumental format and one that is her arrangement of her favorite worship songs.  They are available at Brenham Music Academy, Daystar Christian Bookstore, and online you can purchase or download individual songs at www.cdbaby.com.

Check out Cheryl's new online accompanist site, if you need an accompaniment for practice, audition, or performance!   www.yourpersonalaccompanist.com

If you are in need of a worship leader, church guest, women's retreat leader, or help setting up a worship team for your church whether it be large or a small house church, check out Cheryl's ministry site: www.faithmusicworshipcenter.com

Joyce Brown 

Mrs. Brown has been teaching piano, theory and group lessons for all ages at Brenham Music Academy for six years.  She has been playing piano for many years and is one of our primary piano instructors.  She has a BA degree with a minor in Early Childhood Education.  And she is wonderful with children!!  She has recently completed 14 semester hours of music study at Blinn College.  For the past twelve years, she has been the accompanist for the Brenham Middle School choir and has also played accompaniments for the Brenham High School Band solo contests.  She presently plays keyboard for the contemporary worship service at First United Methodist Church.

Joyce is a member of Brenham Area Music Teachers Association, TMTA, MTNA and the National Guild of Piano Teachers.  Joyce is also the Secretary and Treasurer of the Brenham Music Teachers Association as well as the ensemble chairman.

Joyce has fun teaching the Little Mozart piano course, the Adult Recreational Music Making Class as well as the Teen Way Cool Keyboarding Class.  Joyce ensures a strong foundation in music theory and technique in all of her beginning students piano and music education.  She teaches private lessons as well for students of all ages.

Neil Kulhanek

Neil Kulhanek was born and raised in Texas and started playing guitar at the age of ten. He is known for his incredible guitar playing and has played with  several notables such as Lyle Lovett, Kinky Friedman, Gary P. Nunn, and Johnny Rodriguez; just to name a few.

In 1996, Neil decided to form his own band and, along with his friends Will Rose and Brad Taplin, he formed Neil and the Real Deal.  The band’s music has a broad appeal with influences from blues, country, and of course, rock-n-roll.  The band’s high energy and fast moving show is sure to appeal to people of all ages.

We are very happy to have the very talented and locally famous Neil Kulhanek and look forward to learning from his musical experience and his ability to play several styles. In addition to guitar, Neil will also be offering lessons on electric bass and steel guitar as well.  Neil is currently retired from Brenham National Bank and is looking forward to this new chapter in his life!

Tena Rae Helm

At age four, Tena Rae was singing solos in her Ponca City, Oklahoma church. When she was still a child, her family moved to Houston where she quickly became part of the arts community. She played a leading role in a long-running regional production of Annie, and then wowed the crowds in Little Mary Sunshine — both at Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS).

Tena Rae’s first CD, titled Tena Rae, was released in 2004 by Nashville producer Bobby Terry. This launched a multitude of concerts and public appearances around the country. The album and its single, Every Time, received rave reviews from radio audiences and music commentators. Tena Rae Helm has released two CD's in the country genre and just released a single for her 2010 summer radio tour.

Many of you have heard Tena Rae's beautiful country music and if you haven't, please listen to Tena Rae's music on her website at http://www.tenarae.com.   Tena Rae's musical background and experience is vast.   In addition to her experience with Houston's Theater Under the Stars, Tena has also sung withEclipse Orchestra,  The Great Caruso (A former Houston dinner theater) as well as the Houston Rockets and Astros games and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  Tena Rae has performed with Howard Hartman, Vince Gill, and Tricia Yearwood. She is a very talented vocalist and songwriter and BMA is blessed to have her offer her talent to other aspiring artists!