Texan Mosaic

by Victoria De Souza

[Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing project in conjunction with the South Plains College Alumni Association. The project highlights former SPC students and their achievements.]

For Bethany Longoria, her music career has always been an experience of joy.

Born and raised in Levelland, Texas, Longoria began pursuing her passion for music at South Plains College.

With her interest in music growing since she was in middle school, Longoria knew that music was going to be a profession that she wanted to pursue.

“In middle school, I joined the choir and ended up doing choir all the way up to my senior year of high school,” said Longoria.

Even though she enjoys having music as a part of her life, she did not expect to be able to study music as a college career.

“I have always had a passion for music and performing, but never thought you could go to school for it,” recalls Longoria. “I took a tour through the Creative Arts Department and immediately fell in love! And I knew that was what I wanted to do.”

Her contact with SPC was constant throughout high school.

“Our class went to the Senior Sneak Peek,” said Longoria. “I took a tour and fell in love with the school.”

After graduating from Levelland High School in 2009, Longoria enrolled at SPC in the Fall of 2009 to study Commercial Music.

While at SPC, Longoria was introduced into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was involved with the SPC community.

“Getting to know all the different kinds of people was one of the things that I enjoyed the most in my experience at SPC,” said Longoria. “I definitely made some lifelong friends.”

Longoria graduated from SPC in the Fall of 2013. She said that she is grateful for being able to achieve her goals with the help of SPC. The opportunities given to her to make connections in the music world helped her to be able to find a job in her career.

“Job hunting was hard, like in any other profession, but was very hard to find something stable in the field,” mentioned Longoria. “And I ended up falling in love with teaching my art.”

Longoria is working as a vocal instructor at the School of Rock in Lubbock and also serves as a worship leader at Lakeridge Methodist Church.

“At the School of Rock, we are focused on instructing kids and adults in how to sing in a proper way to the best use of their abilities,” said Longoria. “We don’t just teach about music, but also how to work well with others, take criticism and responsibility in following your passion.”

Also, church and the presence of God plays a very important part in her life.

“In this past eight years of leading worship, I have learned so much about God and myself,” Longoria said. “Having such an amazing community helps me with life. I feel like I am always learning and God is always challenging me.”

Now a proud mother of a 2-year-old girl, Longoria enjoys spending time with her daughter and binge watching her favorite TV shows in her free time.