Meet our Teachers
Matthew Stephens, Founder/Head Director
Matthew Stephens is a visionary choral director and educator whose passion for music has inspired generations of singers. A retired business owner, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in middle and high school English, complemented by music certification. With over 20 years of experience teaching choir, Stephens also holds a Master’s in Education Administration and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from Texas State University.
Driven by a desire to give back to the homeschool community and bridge the gap in opportunities for its students, Stephens channeled resources from his homeschool company, Essentials in Writing, to launch the South Austin Academy of Vocal Arts (SAAVA) in Austin, Texas, in 2019. As a thriving nonprofit, SAAVA empowers over 250 singers across four main ensembles—elementary, middle school, high school, and adult community choirs—offering the same enriching experiences as traditional public-school programs. These include winter and spring concerts, madrigal dinners for highschoolers, choral competitions, and national and international tours. Under Stephens’ leadership, SAAVA has grown at an exceptional rate, fostering artistic excellence and community among homeschool families.
Stephens is honored to direct the inaugural Homeschool Honor Choir at Carnegie Hall in 2027, a milestone event celebrating the untapped potential of young voices from non-traditional learning paths. His innovative approach continues to redefine choral education, proving that extraordinary music knows no boundaries.
Stephens also served as Associate Conductor at Texas State University’s Men’s, Treble, and University Singers ensembles as well as Conspirare Youth Chorus in Austin while completing his Master of Music in Choral Conducting. For his master’s recital, Stephens conducted “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest (chamber orchestra and choir). The 42-minute performance followed a composition for string quartet, “The Last Goodbye,” composed by Stephens.
Matthew enjoys teaching choir and composing for choir, and spending time with his children.
Ivy Cantu, Assistant Director/Administrative Assistant
Soprano, Ivy Cantu received her degree in Vocal Performance at Texas State University. Her roles include, Reporter in Ruffled Flourishes (world premiere), Venus/Juno in Orpheus and the Underworld, L’écureuil in L’entfant et Les Sortilleges, Lady Bird in Lady Bird: First Lady of the Land (world premiere), Mrs. Grose in The Turn of the Screw, Mother in Hansel and Gretel, 1st Lady in The Magic Flute, Mrs. Gleaton in Susannah, Queen Dido in Dido and Aeneas, and a soloist in Howl (world premiere). She made her debut with Alamo City Opera in their production of Maria de Buenos Aires (2016), Texas Concert Opera Collective in their production of Susannah as Mrs. Gleaton (2019), Austin Opera in their production of Everest (2019), and Local Opera Local Artists (LOLA) in Dido and Aeneas as the lead, Queen Dido (2019). She won first place in the Edward Baird Singer of the Year competition at Texoma NATS in 2018 and third place in the Meistersinger Competition at AIMS in Graz, Austria in 2019.
Miss Cantu had her own voice studio for two consecutive years of high school students at San Marcos High School in San Marcos, TX.
Miss Cantu joins South Austin Academy of Vocal Arts as a recent graduate from Texas State University where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. She serves as the Assistant Choir Director and Administrative Assistant and is known for her bright spirit and encouraging demeanor.
Miss Cantu is also a theatre teacher at Christian Youth Theatre in New Braunfels, Texas where she teaches a Stage Makeup class for teens and a Musical Theatre for Kids class.
Steve Carlton, Accompanist
Steve received his B.A. in music, with a focus on jazz and classical piano, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2011. After graduating, he worked as an accompanist for the Central Coast Youth Chorus, San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, and several high schools. In 2014, Steve moved to Austin to pursue additional opportunities in music. In addition to accompanying the choirs at South Austin Academy of Vocal Arts, he works with The Honor Choir in Bastrop, the Austin, Bastrop, and Del Valle school districts. When not musically involved, Steve pursues his passions for cooking, bbq’ing, skiing, and painting.