Congregation Shir Ami, Austin, TX
1st Adult B’not Mitzvah Class-October 29, 2005
Lee Frank, Wendy Willcox, Beth Rogalski, Jodie Billings,
Cantor Marie Betcher, Michele Krugel
Cantor Marie G. Betcher-Resume

Cantor Betcher is Spiritual Leader and Education Director
for Congregation Shir Ami, Cedar Park, Texas, which
serves the northwest Austin area including Travis and
Williamson counties,
She is available for Fundraisers, Concerts, and Cantor-in-
Residence programs.

The following is Cantor Betcher's resume.

EDUCATION
  •        Certification & Investiture as Cantor
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion-School of
Sacred Music, New York City

  •        Masters of Music, Vocal Performance
Florida State University School of Music, Tallahassee, FL

  •        Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance
Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, IN

EMPLOYMENT
For a complete listing of past congregations, religious schools
and Jewish Community Centers served, please refer to the
"Contact Me" page to obtain further information.

PASTORAL EXPERIENCE
  •        Officiates at lifecycle events including:
Baby namings, Weddings, Unveilings,  Funerals
B'Nai Mitzvah ceremonies
  •        Counsels individuals in preparation for conversion
  •        Delivers Sermons in Song
  •        Represents and coordinates musical aspects of community:
Interfaith Concerts,  Martin Luther King Day Services
AIDS Day Services, Yom Hashoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha'Atzmaut
Kristallnacht ceremonies
  •        Bikur Cholim - hospital visitations
  •        Member of Chevrah Kaddisha, Columbia SC
  •        Serve Austin State Hospital as Jewish Clergy for patients
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EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
YOUTH
  •        Administers Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs, Weekly tutoring
Fifth and sixth grades preparatory tutoring, schedules
Family meetings and coordinates meetings with the Rabbi
  •        Teaches cantillation and prayers to sixth and seventh graders
  •        Establishes and creates Youth choirs
  •        Co-ordinates music/services for Yamim Noraim Children's Services
  •        Creates Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Religious School Curriculum
Handbook for school year
  •        Prepares schedules for all teachers
  •        Ties all Holidays, Holy Days & Festivals with appropriate
music & Ritual Objects, terminology for teachers and parents


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ADULT
  •        Torah and Haftarah Cantillation
  •        Adult B'not Mitzvah Class
  •        Festival Observances and Liturgy Class
  •        Festival Music Workshops
  •        Concerts in Jewish Music and its history
  •        Shabbat Shalom Program for Seniors
  •        Workshops for Musical, Historical and Liturgical Judaica Education
  •        Hebrew Classes
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ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
  •        Responsible for instruction of non-Jewish teachers
  •        Member of Ritual Committee as source for lay leaders
  •        Member of other various synagogue committees
  •        Responsible for many fundraisers and cabarets and their
publicity, programs and marketing
  •        Responsible for coordinating Temple events/service, etc. with
Jewish Community Calendar
  •        As a Freelance Cantor - responsible for all bookings,
scheduling, travel arrangements, etc.
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MUSICAL EXPERIENCE - CANTORIAL
  •        High Holiday Pulpits in Youngstown, OH; West Lafayette, IN,
San Antonio and Austin, TX
  •        Establishes Choir in each Congregation Served
  •        Cantorial Concerts (including Kennedy Center), from Cape Cod to  
    Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC with Doug Cotler
  •        Lead Seders at Capsouto Freres, New York City for Jewish
Joint Distribution Committee
  •        Represents Jewish community singing in city events
  •        Historic Stone Avenue Temple Gala Concert, Tucson, AR
  •        Temple Albert, Albuquerque, NM, Installation Concert and Services
with Rabbis Danny Freelander, Joe Black, Cantors Barbara                 
Caitland Bromber and Julie Silver
  •        Texas Jewish Historical Society Concert at University of Texas Club
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MUSICAL EXPERIENCE - OPERATIC
  •        Carnegie Hall Concert
  •        New York University Concert
  •        Concert Tours of England and Sicily
  •        Bellini International Opera Competition Winner
  •        Dallas Dealey Awards Opera Competition Finalist
  •        West Palm Beach Civic Opera Competition Winner
  •        Performances with Pittsburgh Symphony, Austin Symphony
and Las Vegas Symphony
  •        CNN Townhall Meeting Opening anthem for Senator John McCain
  •        219 West, Austin TX monthly Cabaret performances
  •        Fundraisers; St. David's Hospital "Toast of the Town",
March of Dimes Star Chef's Ball, Police Officer's Ball, Military Balls
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH
  •        Lectures at Christian Churches
  •        Lectures at Lutheran and Episcopal Theological Seminaries
  •        World AIDS Day Services
  •        Volunteer for Senior programs
  •        Volunteer for Animal No-Kill Shelters
  •        Singing in the community for Jewish Ceremonies
  •        Austin State Hospital Jewish Clergy Volunteer
  •        Lead Seders for non-Jewish groups and churches
  •        Faculty for TAP Program for Congregation Agudas Achim
  •        Faculty for Tapestry of Jewish Learning, Dell Jewish Community
    Center
  •        Sparks of Life Program, Benefit Concert, Austin State Hospital
  •        Seton Cove Faculty
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PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Conference of Cantors Regular Member
Guild of Temple Musicians Member
Austin Jewish Communal Professionals Member
The Cantors' Conservatory, Vice President
Bureau of Jewish Education Member

JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS
Hadassah Life Member
Jewish Women International Life Member
ARZA Member

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
©Copyright 2008 Marie Betcher
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