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Faculty

Steve Allison
Talent Development Associate
Director, Contemporary School of Fine Arts
Drumset | Percussion | Rhythm Section Instructor

Steve was born in Houston, Texas where he began studying the drum set at age 6 with the famed jazz drummer and teacher, Joe Raynor. He later studied with Dick Jones while attending Mac Arthur High School and was a member of the All-Region Jazz Band and All-Region Symphonic Band for two years, and also received the NAJE Outstanding Soloist at the U.T. Jazz Festival. Steve also attended the University of Arizona during the Summer months to study with Dr. Gary Cook. He has also studied briefly with, Roy Burns (jazz great), Ed Soph (performer/educator at University of North Texas), Will Kennedy (Yellow Jackets), James Metcalfe (hand drumming), and most recently studied percussion with, Chris Deviney (Principal Percussionist, Philadelphia Symphony) while attending Sam Houston State University.


Nicholas Costello
Pastor of Worship Arts | Instrumental
Piano Instructor | Music Notation Instructor

Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Nicholas received his call to the ministry at an early age and began his vocational ministry in Louisiana at the age of 22.  His stylistic approach to music is defined by a combination of influences ranging from southern and black gospel to jazz; all infused into hymns and music from the current worship genre.  In addition to his primary call to the local church, Nicholas has served as pianist for several national conferences and has arranged and performed for the Marshall Symphony Orchestra and the 1992 presidential inauguration. He also served the community on the board of directors for the Shreveport Summer Music Festival.  Nicholas has served churches in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.  In Louisiana, he served as the administrator and piano instructor for the Willow Point School of Performing Arts. Currently, he leads the instrumental arts ministry at The Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston.  The multi-faceted ministry of The MET requires administration of multiple bands and instrumental ensembles, as well as extensive scoring of arrangements and orchestrations written exclusively with Finale Notation software.  Nicholas and his wife, Melissa have been married since 1994 and have two children, Kerrington (8) and Landon (3).



Joe Gavito
Guitar Instructor

Joe is originally from San Antonio, and attended Churchill High School.  He studied and performed as a percussionist there and later began his studies in guitar. He attended Southwest Texas State University and soon after, began his professional career.  Joe is one of the most in-demand guitarist in the Houston area, being well-versed in Rock, Gospel, Country, Jazz and many other idioms.  He has taught guitar for the last 10 years to a wide variety of students of all ages and levels.  Aside from teaching, Joe also plays in the Worship Band at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.


Rankin Peters
Bass Guitar | Rhythm Section Instructor

Rankin is one of the most sought after bassist in the Houston area for studio and live performance.  Originally an "All-State Orchestra Bassist" in San Antonio, his studies have also included the University of Miami and Sam Houston State.  His professional career includes touring, major shows for national artists, first-call studio bassist on electric and acoustic bass, worship leader and bassist for Woods Edge Church in the Woodlands, and Lakewood Church Orchestra.  He is currently the staff bass teacher at Canzion Worship Institute.  Rankin was recently a guest clinician at the Worship Magazine Conference in Austin, TX. He and his wife Julie, are the proud parents of two teenagers, Jessica and Ross.


Heath Rosborough
Contemporary Voice Instructor

Originally from the small town of Thomaston, Georgia, Heath began singing in his home church at the age of seven.  By the time he was in high school, he was competing across the state as the school’s soloist and first tenor.  At the age of fifteen, he began traveling intermittently with a southern gospel group as a vocalist and saxophonist.  Heath ministered for three years domestically and internationally, in such places as Ireland, England and Scotland.

Returning from an overseas trip in 1999, Heath became aware that the contemporary Christian music group, The Sound, out of Houston, Texas was in need of vocalists.  He flew to Texas for the audition and was welcomed back as a member of the group.  Heath spent the next fourteen months traveling the United States, ministering through music.

After moving to Houston, Heath met Wendy Hughes, the woman that would become his wife, and they married in May 2000.  Upon assuming the role of husband, Heath decided to leave the road to make Lakewood Church, where his wife was already a member, his home.  Heath began serving in the choir and ensemble at Lakewood, which led to his becoming heavily involved in Lakewood’s music department under the direction of Cindy Cruse Ratcliff.  For six years, Heath served in Lakewood’s music department leading praise and worship at various ministry events and providing special music in the services when requested.  Heath also traveled for two years with Joel Osteen Ministries throughout America as a member of the worship team, leading thousands of people into the presence of God through worship.

Heath is a sought after "vocal" and "stage performance" instructor who brings over 12 years of full time vocal and performance experience into his teaching methods.  His technics and encouraging classroom atmosphere help soloists, vocal groups, and bands to reach and surpass their vocal goals as well as teaching them how to communicate a song visually to an audience.   His teaching style is fun, upbeat, and encouraging. Heath says "My desire in teaching is to give people the skills they need to sing and perform with excellence and the confidence they need to communicate their song so the message will touch the heart of their audience."


Elizabeth Saulnier
Piano Instructor

Elizabeth Saulnier graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy and a minor in Piano.  As a music therapist she worked for almost two years with various age groups from children with and without disabilities to elderly in outpatient partial hospitalization and community mental health programs. Elizabeth then went back to school to get her secondary teaching certificate from Prairie View A&M and taught in CyFair for four years as a middle school assistant choir director and practiced music therapy on the side with private clients while teaching private piano lessons.  She is the proud wife of Chris Saulnier and proud mom of Rebecka and Madilyn.


Marvin Sparks
Drumset | Percussion Instructor

Mr. Sparks works with various school districts, churches, choral ensembles, and theatrical productions throughout the United States as a percussionist, drummer, teacher, consultant, writer, and producer.  Professor Sparks has served on the faculties of: University of Missouri - St. Louis, University of Houston-Moores School of Music, Eastern Illinois University, United States Percussion Camp and University of Illinois-CU Summer Camp.  

Mr. Sparks holds Bachelors of Music (Performance) from the University of Illinois-CU and a Masters of Art (Performance) from Eastern Illinois University.

As a soloist and clinician, Professor Sparks has presented at the International Association of Jazz Educators, Texas Bandmaster Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Caribbean Studies Association International Convention, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Mid-West Band and Orchestra Convention, and served as a staff member of the United States Percussion Camp.  Presently, Sparks freelances in the Houston area and is a member of the Metropolitan CME Church Music Ministry.  

Marquis Who’s Who Publication just honored Mr. Sparks with inclusion in their 2007-2008 edition of “Who’s Who in American Education” publication. This publication honors educators throughout the United States who have made an impact in the field of education.

He is also an educational consultant for Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Mallets and Sticks, Evans Drum Heads and Latin Percussion Music Group.


Dr. Jennifer Trent
Piano Instructor

Dr. Jennifer Trent has been teaching piano since the age of seventeen, running studios in Dallas and Houston.  She began studying piano with her mother, who manages Gray School of Music in Dallas.  In addition, her brother and sister are also pianists with D.M.A. degrees.  She received her B.M. with distinction in Piano Performance from Eastman School of Music in 1992, a M.M. in Piano Performance from the University of Texas-Austin in 1994, and a D.M.A. in Piano Performance from University of Houston in 2000.  She is an active performer, with numerous solo and collaborative recitals given in Dallas, Austin, Houston, Aspen, CO, Columbus, GA, Rochester, NY, and Switzerland.  An entrant of competitions nationwide, she was the 1993 Mu Phi Epsilon Doty Award winner and semi-finalist in the 1999 Beethoven Club competition.  Dr. Trent has held staff positions at University of Houston, North Harris College, San Jacinto College North, American Festival for the Arts, and St. John’s School.  She was a member of TMTA, National Guild, and NFMC while she taught privately.  Most recently, she has enjoyed playing praise and worship music at local churches.  Dr. Trent is married to Mike Trent, a chief prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorney’s office, and is mother to Tyler, Carolyn, and Jonathan.


Monica Voss
Violin Instructor

Monica’s goal in teaching is to share her love of music with her students.  She has shared her gift of playing violin for the past ten years, teaching students age 2 through 70 including ensemble classes and recitals.  She has also been a member of the Chandler Symphony Orchestra for 7 years and performed in church orchestras, quartets, and trios playing various styles from traditional to pop and even Celtic.  Monica is also able to teach improvisation and how to follow a chord chart you would find in a worship band situation.


Gary Weldon
Orchestra Director
Brass | Woodwind | Harmonica Instructor

Gary has been a professional musician for 40 years.  He currently serves in ministry as the Orchestra Director here at The MET.  Prior to joining the staff of The MET, Gary served as Principal Trumpet for Lakewood Church for seven years. He comes to us with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music from Lamar University.  His teaching experience includes a combined eleven years in the positions of band director and conductor at Bruce Elementary Music Academy, Kipp 3D Academy, Memorial High School, and Young Sounds of Houston just to name a few.  He has performed with the Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera on harmonica, as well as touring and recording with several well known music artists such as the Temptations, Natalie Cole, Willie Nelson and others. He has a passion to teach students and develop their musical talent to its potential.