Maj. Daniel Tré Fox III seeks to open musical doors to students as others did for him when he was a student in Richmond Public Schools.

The 33-year-old vocal instructor at Franklin Military Academy in Church Hill sees the power of music as a bridge to uplift and mold young men and women.

That’s one reason Maj. Fox says he expanded the musical horizons at Franklin by forming “FM Stereo,” an a cappella student group, in November 2013.

At first he didn’t know if the students would warm to the group, which harmonizes without instrumental accompaniment to the sounds of members snapping their fingers and clapping their hands while sometime soulfully swaying.

He said one student, DeShawn Payne, first expressed an interest and others followed.

“The rest is the present,” Maj. Fox notes of the group, which now is comprised of more than a dozen students.

He said the group works hard to cultivate a unique sound, integrating melodies, harmonies and counter-melodies. “These sounds together make something beautiful,” Maj. Fox says.

FM Stereo performs an entertaining array of songs, from jazz and gospel to pop, country and soul. Their repertoire includes the snappy rendition of Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” and R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly,” both of which they performed to hearty applause at the Richmond NAACP Freedom Fund Gala Dinner and Awards Program last fall. “I tell the students that in order to be well-rounded, we have to do it all,” Maj. Fox says.

The group performs around the area, with its next engagements slated for Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond Brotherhood/Sisterhood Youth Awards and Dinner at River Road Church, Baptist, 8000 River Road in Henrico County; and with the Norfolk State University Concert Choir at Franklin Military Academy, 701 N. 37th St, at 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13.

Maj. Fox says he became a vocal instructor because of the powerful examples set by two of his teachers at George Wythe High School on South Side — choir teacher Joyce Woolridge and band instructor David Corey.

“I want to help students find their place in this ever changing society just as these two amazing teachers did for me,” he says.

“They were more than teachers to me. They were and are a part of my family. Their ongoing encouragement continues to make it possible for me to work hard and further enhance my skills in order to be a better teacher for my students,” he adds.

Maj. Fox believes his mission is “to inspire students.”

“Every child is capable of learning,” he says.

He helps students envision things beyond the communities in which they live.

“I take the world around them and relate it to music, which guides students to a place where the lessons become an exchange of ideas,” he says. “I believe I help them to see that life is more than what they see in their own neighborhood.”

Here’s a look at this week’s Personality, Maj. Daniel Tré Fox III:

Birthplace and year: Richmond in 1982.

Alma maters: I am a product of the Richmond Public Schools System. I graduated from George Wythe, School of Performing Arts. I am also a 2005 graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, with bachelor’s degrees in music technology and marketing.

Occupation: Vocal instructor for grades six through 12 at Franklin Military Academy. I instruct FM Stereo and four additional ensembles at Franklin.

How long I’ve been a teacher: I started teaching four years ago in Richmond Public Schools.

Foremost reward of teaching: The moment I realize a student “gets” a concept I’m teaching, and he or she lights up. It’s an amazing feeling for me and the student. At that very moment this happens, you know the student wants more. That’s what I love!

Why a cappella: Actually, it was season two of NBC’s, “The Sing-Off” that inspired me to start an a cappella group. I wanted my own version of Howard University’s Afro Blue. I think a cappella is the truest form of vocal musicianship.

The group is unique because: We make music using vocals only. These students work hard to cultivate a sound that is unique. They understand how music works utilizing elements such as melodies, harmonies and counter-melodies. I tell them you are the music. Music is life.

What students do to prepare: Rehearse, rehearse and rehearse. They also have to make sure they stay abreast of all their schoolwork in order to remain in the group. Education is paramount, and I teach them balance.

Frequency of rehearsals: Every week, sometimes every day after school. It depends on what we have to accomplish. We even rehearse during the summer. I would like to say thank you to Sgt. Thornton and the men of Club 533 for allowing us to use their facility for rehearsals.

Barbershop style is: A great style of a cappella music, usually having vocalists sing close harmony around a lead singer’s melody note. It’s a little different from what we do, which is more like a “vocal band.”

What I envision for FM Stereo: Greatness! I want to prepare my students for life, not just the next step. Music can be a gateway that creates productive individuals. I want this group to grasp onto opportunities that they would not otherwise have if it weren’t for music.

FM Stereo’s No. 1 project today: Our major project right now is to raise funds so that our students can compete in the International Competition of High School A Cappella. I know FM Stereo has the ability to do well, but it takes a community of willing and supportive people to make that happen.

How I feel before a big performance: Confident and focused on the task at hand. I have faith in my students — all of them! They work very hard, but that’s what it’s all about — working together to accomplish an awesome goal.

How I prepare the group for it: We work on rhythms, mouth positioning, breathing and, most of all, stage decorum. I tell my students often, “The minute you hit the door, it’s showtime!”

Music is important in education because: Music exercises your brain like nothing else. Scientific evidence shows that playing a musical instrument sharpens the connections in both hemispheres of the brain. It’s simple. Music makes your brain more efficient. It helps with critical thinking and learning concepts that students may implement in any subject.

Nobody knows: I enjoy hiking and camping.

How I unwind: I’m a photographer. I enjoy capturing images for great pictures. While at home, I listen to music or play the piano. I love watching movies.

Best late-night snack: Soft chocolate chip cookies.

Three words that best describe me: Creative, fun-loving and spontaneous.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Do it right the first time. In fact, do it so well the people will seek you out to do it.

Book that influenced me the most: “TheAlchemist” by Paulo Coelho. I love it. It changed how I saw the world around me.

What I’m reading now: The paperwork I’m grading every night. LOL!

My next goal: Finish Richmond Public Schools’ first recording and production studio at Franklin Military Academy. We have received donations from many companies and individuals, but the best part is that we’re almost there! My hope is that we can obtain the missing components in order to have it fully operational by March 2015, which will commemorate Music in Our Schools Month.