Aprill Raines is the Director of Vocal Music at Durant Middle School in Durant, OK, where she conducts four choirs and teaches music theory and literature. Mrs. Raines is very proud to have implemented a music program for special learners at DMS where students with special needs participate in musical activities that encourage creativity and build self-esteem, while promoting the development of gross-motor skills regardless of their neuromuscular/musculo-skeletal/cardiopulmonary status. These students have provided inspiration in performance for local organizations like the Special Olympics and the International Kiwanis Club. Mrs. Raines has a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Oklahoma State University where she was a soloist with the OSU Chamber Choir and Concert Choir and also participated in the OSU Opera Scenes Workshop. She also holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Pedagogy from Texas Woman’s University. While at TWU she was selected to sing on the TWU Women’s Symposium Concert featuring the music of women composers. Mrs. Raines is married to board member, Will Raines, and they have two children, Braden, 6 and Lydia, 4. She is one of the founding members of the Taylor Festival Choir and is pleased to be returning for her fifth season with the choir.