Background
Foster, Gayla Catherine was born on June 3, 1946 in Oklahoma City. Daughter of Jon B. and Betty Louise (Swidensky) Wagner.
Foster, Gayla Catherine was born on June 3, 1946 in Oklahoma City. Daughter of Jon B. and Betty Louise (Swidensky) Wagner.
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, University Oklahoma, 1969. Master of Music in Piano Performance, University Oklahoma, 1971. Postgraduate, University Southern California, 1973.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano/Pedagogy, University Oklahoma, 1995.
Graduate assistant in piano University Oklahoma, 1969-1971, special instructor in piano, 1990, Oklahoma artist-in-residence, 1993-1996. Instructor music theory and chorus C.E. Donart High School, Stillwater, 1974-1978. Private practice, since 1974.
Director arts in education State Department Oklahoma State Department Oklahoma, 1999—2001. Vice president, director programs Oklahoma Arts Institute, since 2001. Instructor music theory Oklahoma State University, 1979, adjunct keyboard faculty, 1993—1995, visiting professor College Education, since 2004.
Team instructor keyboard skills University Oklahoma, 1991. Workshop leader, Oklahoma, 1991—1997, Texas, 1991—1997, Kansas, 1991—2000. Pianist Stillwater Chamber Singers, 1986—1991, Oklahoma All-State Band, Oklahoma City, 1976, Thanksgiving Choral Festival Oklahoma State University, 1985.
Chorus member President Masterworks Chorus, 1984, accompanist, 1985—1989, accompanis for summer choir, 1982. Adjudicator Oklahoma Federation Music Clubs, Oklahoma State University, American College Musicians Piano Guild. Specialist fine arts curriculum Stillwater Public Schools, 1996—1999, Yukon and Moore Public Schools, 1996—1999.
Director music Highland Park United Methodist Church, Stillwater, since 1976. Pianist St. Cecilia Christmas Choir, Stillwater, 1981-1988, Town & Gown Community Theatre Productions, Stillwater. Performance pianist Cushing-Chandler Community Chorus, 1985.
Member Music Teachers National Association (certified, national chair-elect National Arts Advocacy committee since 1996), Oklahoma Music Teachers Association (certified board since 1990, state chair IMTF, Music Links Community Outreach in Education 1990-2001, adjudicator), Stillwater Area Music Teachers Association (by-laws committee member 1984, executive advisory board directors 1985-1986, secretary-treasurer 1986-1989, vice president since 1993, president 1997-1999), Friends Music for Oklahoma State University (executive board directors 1983, secretary-treasurer 1984-1988), St. Cecilia Music Club (Stillwater coordinator for Northwest district junior festival since 1985, executive board directors 1986-1989, president 1982-1984, 1st vice president 1980-1982, Outstanding Achievement Service award 1986), Oklahoma Federation Music Clubs (state executive board 1982-1987, state chairman Nell Keaton Cook scholarship 1984-1987), Chamber Music Society Palos Verdes, Pi Kappa Lambda, Sigma Alpha Iota (treasurer 1969-1970, Sword of Honor 1969).
Married Bart Lewis Foster III, March 9, 1974. Children: Jason Scott (deceased), Jacob Bart, Joseph Matthew.