Virginia Puckett Bray has been accompanist for Music Sacra of Sarasota since 2013, having first accompanied the Chorus in its program titled 'Gloria!' and featuring settings of the text by Antonio Vivaldi and Francis Poulenc. She now supports both choral ensembles as rehearsal accompanist as well as performance accompanist.

 

Virginia is on the faculty of New College - Florida, teaching all aspects of piano performance at the college since 1985. Her instruction includes solo repertoire, chamber music and keyboard harmony, with a curriculum specifically written to support the theory instruction taught at the College.

 

She previously taught at Manatee Community College and the University of Texas and was an independent piano teacher in Texas, Florida and Paris, France, where she lived for two years to study French language. She is currently the music director of Saint Martha’s Catholic Church in Sarasota and was for many years the rehearsal and performance accompanist on piano and organ for Key Chorale, as well as the rehearsal and performance accompanist and a vocalist for Gloria Musicae, both well-respected Sarasota musical organizations.

 

She has been an adjudicator for evaluative and competitive piano events throughout the state of Florida as well as judge for the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Virginia holds degrees from North Texas State University and the University of Texas.