Staff & Board
LISA HOLT
Artistic Director & Board Chair
Lisa Sunset Holt is an experienced and recognized musician, conductor, and leader in music education who has been the Artistic Director of SoCo Women’s Chorus since 2021 and has dedicated her career to helping Central Texans find connection through music. Under her leadership, the Chorus has more than doubled in size and has performed throughout the Central Texas community. She created the Sing Together ATX series, which gives everyone in the community a fun and easy way to be part of a treble chorus for one night and discover the joy that singing together brings. Lisa also oversaw the launch of the Bluebonnet Fund for New Music which is focused on commissioning contemporary choral works for treble choirs that amplify the SoCo Chorus mission to support gender equity, celebrate diversity, and build community.
Lisa holds many professional leadership roles with Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and University Interscholastic League (UIL), and is charging a path for music education in America. She has taught high school choir across Texas and is currently the Head Choir Director at Cedar Park High School. Lisa has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award, which recognizes music educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education. One of her most rewarding moments as an educator was commissioning a new John Mackey piece with her High School Varsity Mixed Choir at the 2021 ACDA Convention. Her high school choirs consistently receive Sweepstakes ratings at UIL competitions, and approximately 50 of her students have been selected to sing in the Texas All-State Choir.
Born into a family of gospel musicians, Lisa was raised not only playing and singing music but with an appreciation for the important role music plays in helping people build community. During her years at The University of Texas, she studied voice, music education, and conducting under James Morrow, Rose Taylor, and Suzanne Pence. She has performed vocally throughout the nation and across Europe, including roles for the Austrian American Mozart Academy in Salzburg and Broadway Workshops.
She now lives with her husband Jeff along with their two sons, Davis and Jackson, in Georgetown.
Karla cruz
Principal Accompanist
Karla Cruz is an accomplished pianist, conductor, and music educator with more than 30 years of experience leading choirs in Texas schools, churches, and communities. She currently serves as Principal Accompanist for SoCo Women’s Chorus and Choir Director at Wimberley United Methodist Church. Karla is also on the faculty at St. Edward’s University, where she teaches piano, musicianship, and leads the University Singers.
A graduate of Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State), she has inspired generations of singers with her passion for choral excellence and inclusive music-making. Throughout her career, Karla has served as music director for numerous musical theater productions, most recently with CYT-San Antonio. She is a longtime adjudicator for UIL and TAPPS choral contests. Karla has conducted regional and honor choirs across Texas and Louisiana, and her choir was selected as a featured honor choir at the TMEA Convention.
Karla lives in San Marcos with her husband, guitarist and composer Mark Anthony Cruz.
2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Abby Dings (Treasurer)
Lisa Holt (Board Chair & Artistic Director)
Jennifer Johnston (Secretary)
Bernie Muegel