Danny Calhoun
A native of Moore, Oklahoma, Danny Calhoun, NCTM, received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, Summa Cum Laude, from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1994. While at OBU, he received numerous scholarships and awards including a Presidential Honor Scholarship, keyboard talentship, and induction into the national music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda. In addition, he received the prestigious Presser Scholarship and designation as the Outstanding Senior in Music. In 1996, he received his Master of Music degree in Piano Performance with a minor in musicology from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. During his tenure at UNT, Mr. Calhoun received a Teaching Fellowship at the university. Mr. Calhoun’s formal education also includes doctoral students in piano performance at the University of Oklahoma.
Mr. Calhoun’s successes as a performer have been wide and varied. In addition to numerous recitals throughout his studies, he was selected by audition to perform three consecutive years in OBU’s prestigious Concerto-Aria concert was named as a winner in the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association’s Junior/Senior Collegiate Competitions, and most recently won the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association’s Graduate level audition. He has studied with Dr. Ron Lewis, Dr. Jack Roberts, and most recently with Dr. Jane Magrath.
Mr. Calhoun’s teaching experience began while he was a student at OBU. There he taught private piano through the university’s preparatory department. While at UNT, he taught class piano as well as private piano lessons as part of his teaching fellowship. From 1996 to 1998, he taught private piano for music majors and non-music majors at OU in conjunction with his graduate assistantship. In addition, he taught over 30 students ranging from beginners through adults at private studios in Norman including First Baptist’s Fine Arts Academy. From 1998 to 2001, he and his wife operated a full private studio in Stillwater, OK. They currently maintain private studios in Owasso, OK.
Mr. Calhoun has been an active member of the Tulsa Area Music Teachers Association (TAMTA) for many years. He has served the organization in many different capacities including as treasurer for 12 years. He was honored as an OMTA Fellow by the organization in 2014. Mr. Calhoun is also a member of the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association (OMTA), having held many different positions including East-District Co-President, President-Elect, and Chair for the 2021 and 2022 State Conferences. He was honored by the organization as the state’s MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2019. He is also a member of the Music Teachers National Association and became a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in 2010. Mr. Calhoun is currently privileged to serve as President for both TAMTA (2020-2024) and OMTA (2022-2024).
Danny and DeAnna have been performing as a two-piano team for the past 25 years. They have performed concerts featuring classical, sacred, or combined repertoire for churches, universities, music organizations and clubs, music camps, and retirement communities throughout Oklahoma. They have three children, Andrew, Taylor, and Evan and are members of First Baptist Church of Tulsa. In 2001, they released their debut album, “Praise to the Lord” which consists of the couple’s own arrangements of hymns, choruses, and inspirational songs for two pianos. A Christmas album, “Comfort and Joy,” was released in 2014. Danny also had a collection of his solo Christmas arrangements, “A Virtuosic Christmas,” published by Alfred in 2017, and released a solo album of hymn arrangements, “Expressions,” in 2020. He also hosts a YouTube channel, Instrument of Praise.
DeAnna Calhoun
DeAnna Calhoun, NCTM, a native of Owasso, Oklahoma, received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, Cum Laude, from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1996. While at OBU, she received numerous awards and scholarships including the Warren M. Angell Scholarship, keyboard talentship, and the Varnum Scholarship. While at OBU, Mrs. Calhoun maintained a full schedule of teaching and accompanying. She was the accompanist for the women’s glee club as well as numerous other choral ensembles, soloists, and instrumentalists. In addition, she was selected to perform three consecutive years in OBU’s prestigious Concerto-Aria concert.
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Mrs. Calhoun was an experienced performer well before her years at OBU. While in high school she was chosen as a winner in Senior Auditions for three consecutive years, played in numerous master classes given by artists such as Nelita True and Richard Cass. She was also the winner in competitions sponsored by Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Keynote Music of Tulsa, and the Tulsa Music Teachers Association. While in high school, Mrs. Calhoun was also an active student member of the Hyechka Music Club of Tulsa.
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In 1998, Mrs. Calhoun received her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma. While at OU she was inducted into the national music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda. From 1996 to 1998 she had a full teaching schedule at private studios in Norman, and was the pianist at First Baptist Church in Shawnee.
Mrs. Calhoun has studied with Mr. Elwyn Ratliff, Dr. Carol Bell, and Dr. Edward Gates. From 1998 to 2001, she and her husband maintained a full private studio in Stillwater, OK. Since 2001, they have operated full private studios in Owasso, OK. Mrs. Calhoun is an active member of the Tulsa Area Music Teachers Association (TAMTA) and has served in many capacities through the years including as President of the organization from 2008-2010. She was honored as an OMTA Fellow by TAMTA in 2014. She is also a member of the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association, where she currently serves as Vice President for Membership, and is also a member of the Music Teachers National Association. She became a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in 2010. DeAnna is also an active member and current President of the Piano Study Club of Tulsa.
Danny and DeAnna have been performing as a two-piano team for the past 25 years. They have performed concerts featuring classical, sacred, or combined repertoire for churches, universities, music organizations and clubs, and retirement communities throughout Oklahoma. They have three children Andrew, Taylor, and Evan, and are active members of First Baptist Church of Tulsa. The Calhouns’ hobbies include traveling, spending time with family, and riding roller coasters.
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In 2008, Danny and DeAnna released their debut album, “Praise to the Lord” which consists of the couple's own arrangements of hymns, choruses, and inspirational songs for two pianos. A Christmas album, “Comfort and Joy,” was released in 2014.
