Jackson Hill, M.M., an alumnus of Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, the University of Texas at Arlington, and Texas State University is unquestionably poised to shape the future of Singing Girls of Texas.

Texas Center for Arts + Academics (TCA+A) and Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (FWAFA) are delighted to announce Jackson Hill, M.M., as the new Artistic Director of Singing Girls of Texas (SGT). With an impressive background in education, Hill brings a vast amount of expertise in directing school choirs. He currently serves as FWAFA’s elementary choir teacher, the Artistic Director of Children’s Choir of Texas (CCT), and the Associate Director of the Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus. Hill takes over from Kerra Simmons, M.M., who remarkably expanded SGT, earned numerous accolades, and led these talented singers on various national and international tours. Simmons is committed to furthering her education and leaves FWAFA and SGT to pursue her doctorate in music.

“It is with a heavy heart that I bring to you the news that Ms. Kerra Simmons, our Singing Girls of Texas Artistic Director, will be leaving us in August. With that said, I am overjoyed to announce that Mr. Jackson Hill has been offered and has accepted the position of Artistic Director of Singing Girls of Texas and Academy Singers. We all know that he will build upon the road that Ms. Simmons has paved and take Singing Girls of Texas to even greater heights.” Dr. Jennifer Jackson, FWAFA Principal

Hill joined FWAFA in 2016 as the elementary choir teacher and Artistic Director of Children’s Choir of Texas. In this role, he continues to expand the program’s reach. CCT collaborates with university music programs and community choirs throughout the DFW metroplex, most recently with UT Arlington in a performance of Carl Orff’s masterwork, Carmina Burana. Hill’s choirs have achieved several notable accomplishments, receiving invitations to perform at prestigious conferences like the Southwest ACDA Conference in 2020, National ACDA Conference in 2021, and Texas Music Educators Association in 2023. Additionally, CCT secured 3rd place in the 2023 American Prize for Choral Music which is recognized as the largest virtual choral contest in the country.

Hill says, “As soon as you step into their rehearsal space, you can tell that SGT inspires an environment where its singers are all in. I have known most of these girls since they were in elementary school and could tell you even then they were on the path to achieve remarkable things. Stepping into this role, I feel an incredible sense of joy and purpose in furthering a culture that gives its members the courage and skills to believe their opportunities and potential are boundless.”

Hill’s association with FWAFA is deeply rooted in its rich history. He is not only a former student but was also a former member of one of the school’s prestigious choirs, the renowned Texas Boys Choir (TBC) for six years. Following his bachelor’s degree in music from UT Arlington, Hill’s talent, dedication, and passion for choral conducting led him to pursue a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Texas State University. With a total of nine years of experience in the field of education, Hill has spent eight of those years imparting his knowledge and expertise at FWAFA.