PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - AUG. 17, 2016
art
Dallas Museum of Art
https://www.dma.org/
https://www.dma.org/
band
Frank Troyka, Sponsored by Conn-Selmer
Frank is retired Director of Bands and Coordinator of Fine Arts at Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas. A teacher of over 30 years, Frank came to Berkner in May of 2006 following seven years as Director of Bands at Cypress Falls High School in Houston. Ensembles under his director have been selected to perform at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival; the Percussive Arts Society International Convention; and the Midwest Clinic, an international band and orchestra conference held each December in Chicago. In addition, the Symphonic Band at Cypress Falls High School was a finalist in TMEA honor band competition and was one of only two ensembles nationwide selected to receive the 2005 Sudler Flag of Honor from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. In his first year at Berkner High School, the Mighty Ram Band was a finalist the 2006 UIL State Marching Contest. In July of 2010, Berkner High School Symphonic Band was selected Runner Up in the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band competition on two consecutive appearances in 2010 and 2012, and was ranked 5th in 2014. In 2011, the Berkner Band was selected to perform at the Midwest Clinic.
Frank is also very active as a lecturer and clinician, offering student leadership workshops, staff development clinics, curriculum consultation, and conducting engagements across North America, China, Singapore, The Philippines, and South Africa. He is the author of “Practical Leadership in Music,” a self-published workbook and reference tool used to prepare students to step into their roles as leaders in their high school bands.
A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, Frank graduated from Sturgis High School (Michigan) in 1977 and began his college career at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. At the age of 19 he moved to Dallas to finish his degree at the University of Texas at Arlington. Frank recently completed his Master of Music degree in conducting at Sam Houston State University, where he studied with Matthew McInturf.
Frank is retired Director of Bands and Coordinator of Fine Arts at Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas. A teacher of over 30 years, Frank came to Berkner in May of 2006 following seven years as Director of Bands at Cypress Falls High School in Houston. Ensembles under his director have been selected to perform at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival; the Percussive Arts Society International Convention; and the Midwest Clinic, an international band and orchestra conference held each December in Chicago. In addition, the Symphonic Band at Cypress Falls High School was a finalist in TMEA honor band competition and was one of only two ensembles nationwide selected to receive the 2005 Sudler Flag of Honor from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. In his first year at Berkner High School, the Mighty Ram Band was a finalist the 2006 UIL State Marching Contest. In July of 2010, Berkner High School Symphonic Band was selected Runner Up in the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band competition on two consecutive appearances in 2010 and 2012, and was ranked 5th in 2014. In 2011, the Berkner Band was selected to perform at the Midwest Clinic.
Frank is also very active as a lecturer and clinician, offering student leadership workshops, staff development clinics, curriculum consultation, and conducting engagements across North America, China, Singapore, The Philippines, and South Africa. He is the author of “Practical Leadership in Music,” a self-published workbook and reference tool used to prepare students to step into their roles as leaders in their high school bands.
A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, Frank graduated from Sturgis High School (Michigan) in 1977 and began his college career at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. At the age of 19 he moved to Dallas to finish his degree at the University of Texas at Arlington. Frank recently completed his Master of Music degree in conducting at Sam Houston State University, where he studied with Matthew McInturf.
Choir
John Wayman, University of Texas Arlington
dance
Pure Barre Class - Dallas Location
http://purebarre.com/
http://purebarre.com/
elementary music @ Blackburn
Darla Meek, TAMUC
Darla Meek serves as Music Education Coordinator at Texas A & M University-Commerce, teaching undergraduate and graduate music classes and supervising student teachers. Mrs. Meek came to TAMUC after teaching music and movement in elementary schools for fifteen years. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Dallas Baptist University, and a Master of Music at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Mrs. Meek serves as a national teacher trainer for the American Orff Schulwerk Association in both pedagogy and movement for Orff Levels courses. Mrs. Meek has published children’s choir curricula for Lifeway Christian Resources and for Celebrating Grace, Inc, and often presents sessions for teachers at conferences and workshops at the district, state, and national levels.
Darla Meek serves as Music Education Coordinator at Texas A & M University-Commerce, teaching undergraduate and graduate music classes and supervising student teachers. Mrs. Meek came to TAMUC after teaching music and movement in elementary schools for fifteen years. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Dallas Baptist University, and a Master of Music at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Mrs. Meek serves as a national teacher trainer for the American Orff Schulwerk Association in both pedagogy and movement for Orff Levels courses. Mrs. Meek has published children’s choir curricula for Lifeway Christian Resources and for Celebrating Grace, Inc, and often presents sessions for teachers at conferences and workshops at the district, state, and national levels.
theatre
Larry & Sue Wisdom
Forney ISD fine art summit - JULY 19 & 20, 2016
ART
Chris Blackhurst holds a BFA in Ceramics with a minor in Art History from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a MA in Ceramics from the University of Dallas. As Exhibitions Coordinator she oversees art exhibitions in the galleries and exhibition spaces associated with multiple campus locations and manages and curates the permanent art collection. Before coming to A&M-Commerce she taught Ceramics, Ceramic Sculpture, 3D Design, and Art Appreciation at Brookhaven College, Collin College, Eastfield College, and Southern Methodist University.Chris maintains a working studio in the eastside of Dallas. Her current personal work is informed by pattern, color, and texture, exploring the way in which these elements exist in our lives. Her work is included in public and private collections including Collin College, Eastfield College, and A&M-Commerce. She is represented by Haley-Henman Gallery, Dallas, Texas.
BAND
Dr. Jeremy Earnhart is Director of Fine Arts for the Arlington, TX Independent School District. Educating 63,500 students, AISD provides world-class musical, visual, and kinesthetic arts programs. Arlington passed a historic $663.1 million bond package which lead with fine arts initiatives including: $32 million Fine Arts Center, two Fine Arts & Dual Language Elementary Academies, an acoustically appropriate strings classroom for all 54 elementary schools, and $9.8 million for instruments and uniforms to promote student access. In addition to the Arts & Language Academies, he has also created related programming to the bond program including a partnership with the University of North Texas for Dual Credit Music and the nation’s first public/private partnership course in Musical Instrument Repair.
From 2009-2013 he was Director of Fine Arts for the Irving ISD, TX where student participation in secondary fine arts increased by over 40%. He was also director of the UIL State and Bands of America National Champion L.D. Bell High School Band, serving from 1998-2009. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music Education, holds certifications in International Baccalaureate Music, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University.
He is an active clinician/conductor, adjudicator (including for Bands of America), published author, and presenter for staff developments/conferences such as the Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Administrators Conference, The Midwest Clinic, and the National Association of Music Merchants Show. Dr. Earnhart also serves as a consultant for groups, including the 2011 & 2015 National Champion Broken Arrow High School Band, and as Music Coordinator for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.
Jeremy lives in the DFW Mid-Cities with his wife Gwen, an elementary music teacher of the year, and daughter Kierstyn who balances 1st grade Spanish Immersion, piano lessons, and her newly discovered Taekwondo.
Anthony Gibson - BIO COMING SOON!
From 2009-2013 he was Director of Fine Arts for the Irving ISD, TX where student participation in secondary fine arts increased by over 40%. He was also director of the UIL State and Bands of America National Champion L.D. Bell High School Band, serving from 1998-2009. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music Education, holds certifications in International Baccalaureate Music, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University.
He is an active clinician/conductor, adjudicator (including for Bands of America), published author, and presenter for staff developments/conferences such as the Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Administrators Conference, The Midwest Clinic, and the National Association of Music Merchants Show. Dr. Earnhart also serves as a consultant for groups, including the 2011 & 2015 National Champion Broken Arrow High School Band, and as Music Coordinator for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.
Jeremy lives in the DFW Mid-Cities with his wife Gwen, an elementary music teacher of the year, and daughter Kierstyn who balances 1st grade Spanish Immersion, piano lessons, and her newly discovered Taekwondo.
Anthony Gibson - BIO COMING SOON!
CHEER
Tracie O'Neal has been in the cheer and dance world for over 30 years as a participant, coach, and now National Sales Director for Cheerleading Company. She cheered in high school and was Captain of the University of North Texas Dancers. After graduating from UNT with a BBA in Marketing, she pursued dance and taught at many studios in the DFW area. Her passion then turned to education when she received her MEd from UNT and began teaching at John Horn Horn HS in Mesquite ISD. While teaching she became the head cheer coach at JHHS where she won three state titles, one national title, and became the NCA Texas Cheer Coach of the Year in 2008. Currently she is the Head Cheer Coach at the University of North Texas where she has a small coed and all girl squad. The North Texas Cheerleaders were recently crowned Collegiate Game Day Champions under her direction awarding them with a coveted Gold Paid Bid to NCA Collegiate Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida in 2015.
CHOIR
Dr. Kelley Poché-Rodriguez is an Assistant Visiting Professor of Music, teaching courses in music history, aural skills, music theory, and music education. She also serves as the Music Director and pianist for Texas Woman’s University’s new Musical Theatre Certificate productions. Her 18-year tenure as a Texas music educator has included directing high school and middle school choirs in Frisco ISD and Plano ISD, directing the TWU University Chorus, and teaching various undergraduate and graduate music courses at Texas Woman’s University, the University of North Texas, and Texas Tech University. While at Tech she also served as accompanist for the Women’s Chorale and as teaching assistant for Choral Methods and Choral Conducting courses. Dr. Poché-Rodriguez completed her dissertation (Interrater Reliability of Texas All-Region Choir Audition Adjudicators: The Effects of Training and Judging Experience) in 2015 in fulfillment of the Ph.D of Fine Arts from Texas Tech University. The focus of her Master’s thesis from Texas Woman’s University was an analysis of University Interscholastic League (UIL) middle school choir SAB and SATB sightreading literature and ratings. She has also completed extensive graduate coursework and research in musicology at the University of North Texas, focusing on the music of the Holocaust. She holds Choral Track Level II Certification in Kodály Music Education. Her areas of research include music at the Terezín (Theresienstadt) Concentration Camp, Music History Pedagogy, and Competition and Adjudication in Music Education. Dr. Poché-Rodriguez has been invited to present her research nationally, regionally and locally, for the Society for Music Teacher Education, National Association for Music Education Music Research and Teacher Education, American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Tech Consortium for Research in Music Education. She has presented clinics at Texas Music Educators Association Conference on teaching non-music majors at the collegiate level, preparing to student teach in music, and on music educator practitioners as researchers; and her research has been published in Texas Music Education Research and in Southwestern Musician. She has also given invited lectures at both Texas Woman’s University and Texas Tech University on the women musicians of the Terezín Concentration Camp; approaching teaching the Holocaust, bullying, and tolerance through the music of Terezín; and preparing student teachers for teaching diverse populations. She is an assistant editor for Hal Leonard and McGraw-Hill Publications new digital textbook series, Experiencing Choral Music. Her invited submissions of choral compositions for UIL Sightreading contest are currently under review. Choirs under Dr. Poché-Rodriguez’s direction have been awarded Sweepstakes at UIL contests, as well as highest honors in several other statewide and national competitions. She is an active choral and music educator clinician, adjudicator, pianist, arranger, and musical theatre director. She also sang with the professional chamber choir, The Texas Voices, for several years. In 2002, Dr. Poché-Rodriguez completed a 4-hand piano recital tour of Prague and Brno, Czech Republic. She has played for the Broadway Artist Alliance and is currently the pianist for the voice studio of Broadway Phantom of the Opera artist, David Gaschen. Dr. Poché-Rodriguez is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda (National Music Honor Society). She also belongs to the American Musicological Society, College Music Society, National Association for Music Education, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.
elementary music - (@Smith elementary)
Michael Chandler taught music and movement in Texas public schools for 16 years, most of them in the Lewisville Independent School District, where he was named Teacher of the Year at two elementary campuses. In 2005, 2007, and 2013 his student ensembles were featured performers at the TMEA Clinic and Convention in San Antonio. Michael presents workshops and sessions at the local, state, and national level including for TMEA, TCDA, and AOSA. He has taught in Orff Schulwerk certification courses at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, the Hartt School in Connecticut, Oregon State University, and the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. He has served as President of the North Texas Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) and as a Regional Representative on the AOSA National Board of Trustees. He is also an accompanist with the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas (CCGD) and the organist and pianist at Round Grove United Church (UCC) in Lewisville. Michael is the author of Everyday Recorder, Recorder Everyday, an Orff Schulwerk approach to integrating recorder into the music classroom. Michael earned the Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee; the Master of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville; and the Master of Arts degree in music education from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. He is currently working toward the PhD degree in music education at the University of North Texas in Denton.
Ben Torres is in his 12th year in Richardson ISD and his fourth year as the K-6 music specialist at Brentfield Elementary in Dallas where he also directs the Brentfield Singers, the Rhythm Cats Orff Ensemble and serves as the JJ Pearce Area Team Leader. The Brentfield Singers was selected as an Invited Elementary Choir and performed at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention in 2014. The Rhythm Cats have been invited to perform at the 2016 TMEA Convention. Prior to this, he was the K-6 music specialist at Richland Elementary where he also directed a choir and Orff ensemble, which was selected to perform at the 2011 TMEA Convention, and served as the Berkner Area Team Leader. Ben received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from West Texas A&M University in Canyon. He completed his Orff Schulwerk training at SMU and teaches movement in the Orff Schulwerk training course at Trinity University in San Antonio, teaches movement and recorder in the Orff Schulwerk course at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and other courses in the country. He is currently the President of the North Texas Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA).
Ben Torres is in his 12th year in Richardson ISD and his fourth year as the K-6 music specialist at Brentfield Elementary in Dallas where he also directs the Brentfield Singers, the Rhythm Cats Orff Ensemble and serves as the JJ Pearce Area Team Leader. The Brentfield Singers was selected as an Invited Elementary Choir and performed at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention in 2014. The Rhythm Cats have been invited to perform at the 2016 TMEA Convention. Prior to this, he was the K-6 music specialist at Richland Elementary where he also directed a choir and Orff ensemble, which was selected to perform at the 2011 TMEA Convention, and served as the Berkner Area Team Leader. Ben received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from West Texas A&M University in Canyon. He completed his Orff Schulwerk training at SMU and teaches movement in the Orff Schulwerk training course at Trinity University in San Antonio, teaches movement and recorder in the Orff Schulwerk course at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and other courses in the country. He is currently the President of the North Texas Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA).
THEATRE
Jenae Glanton is a graduate of Texas Woman's University and holds a M.A. and a B.A. in Theater. She has been teaching secondary theater for twelve years. She currently serves as Theater Director at Rockwall-Heath High School in Rockwall ISD. Jenae has directed over thirty productions at the middle school level, earning ten Middle School UIL One-Act Play District Placements. She is an Actor's Equity Association Membership Candidate and has been seen on stage in several professional productions in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex theaters. In 2015, Jenae received the Texas Educational Theatre Associations's K-8 Educator of the Year and was also named the Cain MS Teacher of the Year. Jenae is an Honorary Lifetime PTA Member and a member of the Collin Theatre Center Hall of Fame. She holds a seat on the Texas Thespian Board and serves the Texas Educational Theatre Association as the K-12 Committee Chair.
Larry Wisdom - BIO COMING SOON!
Larry Wisdom - BIO COMING SOON!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FISD TEACHER WORK DAY - feb. 15, 2016
band
Brian Merrill, Southern Methodist Univesity
choir
John Wayman, University of Texas Arlington
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FISD teacher work day - Oct. 26, 2015
Coming Soon...
professional development
FISD Conference - Aug. 2015
art
Marilyn Thompson, TAMUC
band
Allen Goodwin, TAMUC
cheer
Tracie O'Neal, UNT
choir
John Wayman, UTA
theatre
Michael Knight, TAMUC
FORNEY ISD FINE ART SUMMIT - JULY 19 & 20, 2015
District Instructors
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FISD CONFERENCE - AUG 14-15, 2014
art
Marilyn Thompson, TAMUC
Thompson received a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. After receiving her undergraduate degree Thompson continued her education and completed a Master of Arts degree in Painting and Drawing from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas and received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, studying with Margo Kren.Thompson has exhibited her paintings throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Thompson’s most recent works are glimpses into a family history that deals with the changing role of women. Reflecting on the lessons her mother learned from taking the Du Barry Success Course (a weekly course written by Richard Hudnut in 1942 for women on how to improve themselves and become more desirable to men), she tried to teach these lessons to her daughters. As children of the 60’s, my sisters and I viewed these lessons as archaic and out-of-touch with the feminist movement of the time. Some quotes from the course such as “Our program is for beauty…REMEMBER…Ugly thoughts make ugly faces!,” “…they like you witty as well as pretty” and “Bedazzle the Boss,” inspired Thompson’s most recent series of oil paintings.
Jay Sullivan, SMU
James Sullivan is Professor of Sculpture and Chair of the Division of Art. His sculpture is centered on the body, located in the figurative image itself as well as through objects that construct a more haptic abstraction of bodily forms, spaces and experiences. Much of his recent work has been developed in digital form, using haptic modeling and CAD systems coupled to 3-D printing and prototyping as well as industrial fabrication.
Sullivan earned an M.F.A. in Sculpture at California State University, Long Beach and a B.A. in Philosophy at Yale University. He has exhibited widely, including solo exhibitions at the Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi; Meadows Museum of Art, Dallas; Amerika Haus, Berlin; Galerie Muhlenbusch, Düsseldorf; and the Museum Moderner Kunst, Passau. His work has appeared in over 50 group exhibitions and he has been appointed to numerous residencies. He is represented by Conduit Gallery, Dallas.
At SMU, Sullivan has received three University awards for teaching, including the Altschuler Distinguished Teaching Professorship.He has also taught as a visiting professor at the Hochschule der Kunste Berlin and acted as a visiting critic in drawing at the Yale School of Architecture, New Haven, from 1984 to 2002. He has lectured widely, on sculpture, materiality, the locus of the body in material images, and the meaning of digital approaches to sculpture in relationship to haptic experience and the physical self.
Thompson received a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. After receiving her undergraduate degree Thompson continued her education and completed a Master of Arts degree in Painting and Drawing from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas and received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, studying with Margo Kren.Thompson has exhibited her paintings throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Thompson’s most recent works are glimpses into a family history that deals with the changing role of women. Reflecting on the lessons her mother learned from taking the Du Barry Success Course (a weekly course written by Richard Hudnut in 1942 for women on how to improve themselves and become more desirable to men), she tried to teach these lessons to her daughters. As children of the 60’s, my sisters and I viewed these lessons as archaic and out-of-touch with the feminist movement of the time. Some quotes from the course such as “Our program is for beauty…REMEMBER…Ugly thoughts make ugly faces!,” “…they like you witty as well as pretty” and “Bedazzle the Boss,” inspired Thompson’s most recent series of oil paintings.
Jay Sullivan, SMU
James Sullivan is Professor of Sculpture and Chair of the Division of Art. His sculpture is centered on the body, located in the figurative image itself as well as through objects that construct a more haptic abstraction of bodily forms, spaces and experiences. Much of his recent work has been developed in digital form, using haptic modeling and CAD systems coupled to 3-D printing and prototyping as well as industrial fabrication.
Sullivan earned an M.F.A. in Sculpture at California State University, Long Beach and a B.A. in Philosophy at Yale University. He has exhibited widely, including solo exhibitions at the Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi; Meadows Museum of Art, Dallas; Amerika Haus, Berlin; Galerie Muhlenbusch, Düsseldorf; and the Museum Moderner Kunst, Passau. His work has appeared in over 50 group exhibitions and he has been appointed to numerous residencies. He is represented by Conduit Gallery, Dallas.
At SMU, Sullivan has received three University awards for teaching, including the Altschuler Distinguished Teaching Professorship.He has also taught as a visiting professor at the Hochschule der Kunste Berlin and acted as a visiting critic in drawing at the Yale School of Architecture, New Haven, from 1984 to 2002. He has lectured widely, on sculpture, materiality, the locus of the body in material images, and the meaning of digital approaches to sculpture in relationship to haptic experience and the physical self.
band
Alan Wagner, SMU
Alan Wagner holds BM and MM degrees in music education and conducting from Ohio University and a PhD in music education from Florida State University. He taught instrumental music and jazz studies in the public schools of Ohio, New York and Florida for fourteen years and at Emory University prior to his current appointment at Southern Methodist University in 1998. His broad research interests in instrumental music education include “sacred” jazz, ballet music for wind ensemble, jazz-influenced wind ensemble repertoire, and pedagogical issues in public school music programs. A noted scholar on the life and works of Warren Benson, he completed A Bio-bibliography of Composer Warren Benson for Edwin Mellen Press in 2005. At Southern Methodist University, Dr. Wagner has taught music education courses for eight years and is currently the Associate Director for Academic Affairs in the Division of Music.
Lynne Jackson, SMU
Lynne Jackson is currently in her 45th year as a music educator. She has degrees from the University of Michigan and Vandercook College of Music. Ms. Jackson is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Education at Southern Methodist University and also teaches part-time at Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas.
Lynne spent 26 years as a band director for RISD in the Pearce Area Cluster as well. Her tenure included positions at North Junior High and Parkhill Junior High as well as thirteen years at J.J. Pearce High School. In 1983, Ms. Jackson was selected as the Richardson ISD Teacher of the Year. She is also a lifetime honorary member of the PTA.
In 1995, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded Ms. Jackson a grant to study Mozart in Vienna, Austria and Prague, Czech Republic. Since that time, Ms. Jackson has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, South America and Canada. She has accompanied students to New York City on three occasions for performances at the famed Carnegie Hall. She has also traveled and performed with students in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany and Hungary. In July, 2012 she traveled to England, Wales and Scotland as a conductor for the Texas Youth Orchestra and Choir.
For the past three years, Lynne along with Chris Pineda, Andrew Weak and Frank Troyka have collaborated with the Wind Band Association and Ministry of Education of Singapore. In June 2013, Lynne made her second visit to the state of Singapore where she shared her knowledge of teaching young students to be successful instrumentalists and to love music.
In 2010, Ms. Jackson was awarded the Meritorious Achievement Award by the Texas Bandmaster’s Association. In addition to her membership in the Texas Bandmasters Association, Ms. Jackson’s professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, an honorary band director fraternity and the Texas Music Educators Association. Lynne is widely known throughout Texas as a clinician, and mentor to young students and teachers.
Phil Clements, TAMUC
Phillip L. Clements is the Director of Bands and Instrumental Activities at Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas. In this role, Mr. Clements serves as conductor of the wind ensemble, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, and guides the instrumental area within the Department of Music. Prior to his appointment in 2008, Mr. Clements served on the faculties of the University of Miami, University of Texas at Arlington, the University of North Texas and taught in the public schools at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas.
Mr. Clements’ concert ensembles have performed at the Texas Music Educators Association Conference, the College Band Directors National Association Southwest Division Conference and in New York’s Carnegie Hall. From 2005 until 2008 he served as the Associate Conductor of the Greater Miami Symphonic Band in Miami, Florida.
Also fluent in the area of marching band, Mr. Clements’s marching bands have been featured as the exhibition group at numerous Bands of America Regional Contests, State Marching Contests in both Texas and Florida, and at the prestigious Bands of America Grand Nationals Championships in Indianapolis. As a drill designer he has written over one hundred and seventy commissioned contest shows for marching bands across the country.
A proponent of new quality music for wind band, he has been involved in commissions and premieres by prominent composers such as David Maslanka, Libby Larson, Bob Mintzer, Bradley Bodine, David Sampson, James Syler as well as regional premieres of works by Michael Colgrass and Donald Grantham. He has collaborated with numerous guest artists and composers including Craig Morris, Thomas Hooten, John Marcellus, Allen Vizzutti, David Maslanka and Michael Daugherty.
He is in continuous demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for ensembles across the United States. He is in continuous demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for ensembles across the United States. In addition, Mr. Clements has authored articles for the Instrumentalist, Southwestern Musician and Fanfare magazines and lectured at numerous state conferences across the Southwest including the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He has also contributed to the GIA series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band.
Mr. Clements holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of North Texas. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and College Band Director’s National Association and is an elected member of the Phi Beta Mu honorary bandmaster’s fraternity.
Alan Wagner holds BM and MM degrees in music education and conducting from Ohio University and a PhD in music education from Florida State University. He taught instrumental music and jazz studies in the public schools of Ohio, New York and Florida for fourteen years and at Emory University prior to his current appointment at Southern Methodist University in 1998. His broad research interests in instrumental music education include “sacred” jazz, ballet music for wind ensemble, jazz-influenced wind ensemble repertoire, and pedagogical issues in public school music programs. A noted scholar on the life and works of Warren Benson, he completed A Bio-bibliography of Composer Warren Benson for Edwin Mellen Press in 2005. At Southern Methodist University, Dr. Wagner has taught music education courses for eight years and is currently the Associate Director for Academic Affairs in the Division of Music.
Lynne Jackson, SMU
Lynne Jackson is currently in her 45th year as a music educator. She has degrees from the University of Michigan and Vandercook College of Music. Ms. Jackson is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Education at Southern Methodist University and also teaches part-time at Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas.
Lynne spent 26 years as a band director for RISD in the Pearce Area Cluster as well. Her tenure included positions at North Junior High and Parkhill Junior High as well as thirteen years at J.J. Pearce High School. In 1983, Ms. Jackson was selected as the Richardson ISD Teacher of the Year. She is also a lifetime honorary member of the PTA.
In 1995, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded Ms. Jackson a grant to study Mozart in Vienna, Austria and Prague, Czech Republic. Since that time, Ms. Jackson has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, South America and Canada. She has accompanied students to New York City on three occasions for performances at the famed Carnegie Hall. She has also traveled and performed with students in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany and Hungary. In July, 2012 she traveled to England, Wales and Scotland as a conductor for the Texas Youth Orchestra and Choir.
For the past three years, Lynne along with Chris Pineda, Andrew Weak and Frank Troyka have collaborated with the Wind Band Association and Ministry of Education of Singapore. In June 2013, Lynne made her second visit to the state of Singapore where she shared her knowledge of teaching young students to be successful instrumentalists and to love music.
In 2010, Ms. Jackson was awarded the Meritorious Achievement Award by the Texas Bandmaster’s Association. In addition to her membership in the Texas Bandmasters Association, Ms. Jackson’s professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, an honorary band director fraternity and the Texas Music Educators Association. Lynne is widely known throughout Texas as a clinician, and mentor to young students and teachers.
Phil Clements, TAMUC
Phillip L. Clements is the Director of Bands and Instrumental Activities at Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas. In this role, Mr. Clements serves as conductor of the wind ensemble, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, and guides the instrumental area within the Department of Music. Prior to his appointment in 2008, Mr. Clements served on the faculties of the University of Miami, University of Texas at Arlington, the University of North Texas and taught in the public schools at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas.
Mr. Clements’ concert ensembles have performed at the Texas Music Educators Association Conference, the College Band Directors National Association Southwest Division Conference and in New York’s Carnegie Hall. From 2005 until 2008 he served as the Associate Conductor of the Greater Miami Symphonic Band in Miami, Florida.
Also fluent in the area of marching band, Mr. Clements’s marching bands have been featured as the exhibition group at numerous Bands of America Regional Contests, State Marching Contests in both Texas and Florida, and at the prestigious Bands of America Grand Nationals Championships in Indianapolis. As a drill designer he has written over one hundred and seventy commissioned contest shows for marching bands across the country.
A proponent of new quality music for wind band, he has been involved in commissions and premieres by prominent composers such as David Maslanka, Libby Larson, Bob Mintzer, Bradley Bodine, David Sampson, James Syler as well as regional premieres of works by Michael Colgrass and Donald Grantham. He has collaborated with numerous guest artists and composers including Craig Morris, Thomas Hooten, John Marcellus, Allen Vizzutti, David Maslanka and Michael Daugherty.
He is in continuous demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for ensembles across the United States. He is in continuous demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for ensembles across the United States. In addition, Mr. Clements has authored articles for the Instrumentalist, Southwestern Musician and Fanfare magazines and lectured at numerous state conferences across the Southwest including the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He has also contributed to the GIA series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band.
Mr. Clements holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of North Texas. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and College Band Director’s National Association and is an elected member of the Phi Beta Mu honorary bandmaster’s fraternity.
cheer
Tracie O'Neal, UNT
Tracie has been in the cheer and dance world for over 30 years as a participant, coach, and now National Sales Director for Cheerleading Company. She cheered in high school and was Captain of the University of North Texas Dancers. After graduating from UNT with a BBA in Marketing, she pursued dance and taught at many studios in the DFW area. Her passion then turned to education when she received her MEd from UNT and began teaching at John Horn Horn HS in Mesquite ISD. While teaching she became the head cheer coach at JHHS where she won three state titles, one national title, and became the NCA Texas Cheer Coach of the Year in 2008. Currently she is the Head Cheer Coach at the University of North Texas where she has a small coed and all girl squad. The North Texas Cheerleaders were recently crowned Collegiate Game Day Champions under her direction awarding them with a coveted Gold Paid Bid to NCA Collegiate Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida in 2015.
Tracie has been in the cheer and dance world for over 30 years as a participant, coach, and now National Sales Director for Cheerleading Company. She cheered in high school and was Captain of the University of North Texas Dancers. After graduating from UNT with a BBA in Marketing, she pursued dance and taught at many studios in the DFW area. Her passion then turned to education when she received her MEd from UNT and began teaching at John Horn Horn HS in Mesquite ISD. While teaching she became the head cheer coach at JHHS where she won three state titles, one national title, and became the NCA Texas Cheer Coach of the Year in 2008. Currently she is the Head Cheer Coach at the University of North Texas where she has a small coed and all girl squad. The North Texas Cheerleaders were recently crowned Collegiate Game Day Champions under her direction awarding them with a coveted Gold Paid Bid to NCA Collegiate Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida in 2015.
choir
Randall Hooper, TAMUC
Dr. Randall Hooper, the Director of Vocal Activities at Texas A&M University-Commerce, conducts of the University Chorale, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, University Singers and the Chamber Singers while overseeing the masters program in choral conducting and teaching undergraduate courses in conducting and music education.
Dr. Hooper earned the Bachelor of Music of Education degree from Texas State University, the Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Baylor University where he studied with Donald Bailey, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Louisiana State University where he studied with Kenneth Fulton and Sara Lynn Baird.
Prior to his position at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Dr. Hooper held similar positions at Tennessee Tech University, Georgia State University and taught high school choral music for eleven years in Texas.
Dr. Hooper has been invited to conduct honor choirs, adjudicate and present interest sessions and in-services throughout the south and southwest. Choirs under Dr. Hooper’s leadership have performed in Carnegie Hall, by invitation for the Southwestern Division of the American Choral Directors Association, the Tennessee Music Educators Association Conference, the Georgia Music Educators Association and for the International Anthony Burgess Foundation Symposium in Liverpool, England along with touring Germany, Austria, England and France. In 2005, Dr. Hooper was invited to present a paper on the choral music of Anthony Burgess for the International Anthony Burgess Foundation Symposium in Manchester, England which was published in Anthony Burgess and Modernity. In 2012, Dr. Hooper was the guest conductor for the Festival Internacional de Música de Campina Grande in Brazil. The A&M Commerce Chorale collaborated with the A&M Commerce Wind Ensemble in a performance in Carnegie Hall and for the Southwestern division of the College Band Directors National Association. In July of 2013, the A&M Commerce Chorale was invited to perform at the Festival Internacional de Música de Campina Grande in Brazil.
Dr. Hooper is currently serving the Texas Choral Director’s Association as the College and Community Choir Vice President.
He is also actively involved with church music and musical theatre. He has served as music director for churches in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Georgia. He is currently the Director of Music of Kavanaugh UMC in Greenville, TX. He has served as the musical director for San Marcos Summer Theatre, Playmakers of Baton Rouge, LA and the Cookeville Children’s Theatre in Cookeville, TN.
Dr. Randall Hooper, the Director of Vocal Activities at Texas A&M University-Commerce, conducts of the University Chorale, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, University Singers and the Chamber Singers while overseeing the masters program in choral conducting and teaching undergraduate courses in conducting and music education.
Dr. Hooper earned the Bachelor of Music of Education degree from Texas State University, the Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Baylor University where he studied with Donald Bailey, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Louisiana State University where he studied with Kenneth Fulton and Sara Lynn Baird.
Prior to his position at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Dr. Hooper held similar positions at Tennessee Tech University, Georgia State University and taught high school choral music for eleven years in Texas.
Dr. Hooper has been invited to conduct honor choirs, adjudicate and present interest sessions and in-services throughout the south and southwest. Choirs under Dr. Hooper’s leadership have performed in Carnegie Hall, by invitation for the Southwestern Division of the American Choral Directors Association, the Tennessee Music Educators Association Conference, the Georgia Music Educators Association and for the International Anthony Burgess Foundation Symposium in Liverpool, England along with touring Germany, Austria, England and France. In 2005, Dr. Hooper was invited to present a paper on the choral music of Anthony Burgess for the International Anthony Burgess Foundation Symposium in Manchester, England which was published in Anthony Burgess and Modernity. In 2012, Dr. Hooper was the guest conductor for the Festival Internacional de Música de Campina Grande in Brazil. The A&M Commerce Chorale collaborated with the A&M Commerce Wind Ensemble in a performance in Carnegie Hall and for the Southwestern division of the College Band Directors National Association. In July of 2013, the A&M Commerce Chorale was invited to perform at the Festival Internacional de Música de Campina Grande in Brazil.
Dr. Hooper is currently serving the Texas Choral Director’s Association as the College and Community Choir Vice President.
He is also actively involved with church music and musical theatre. He has served as music director for churches in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Georgia. He is currently the Director of Music of Kavanaugh UMC in Greenville, TX. He has served as the musical director for San Marcos Summer Theatre, Playmakers of Baton Rouge, LA and the Cookeville Children’s Theatre in Cookeville, TN.
elementary music
Julie Scott, SMU
Julie Scott is Associate Professor of Practice in Music Education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she has taught for nine years. She earned a Ph.D. from Eastman School of Music in 2010, where she was Assistant Professor (Teaching) of Music Education for one year. Besides teaching at SMU, Dr. Scott served as director of the 100-voice Lewisville Independent School District 5th Grade Honor Choir for 8 years. This choir was invited to perform under her direction for the Texas Music Educators Conference in 2012 and in 2004. Prior to teaching at the college level, Dr. Scott taught elementary music in Texas schools for 17 years and served as Elementary Music Coordinator for the Richardson Independent School District for two years. She has served as a children’s choir director in schools and churches for 30 years. In addition, she is a past president of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
Dr. Scott is Director of Music Educators Workshops at SMU, and she has taught summer Orff Schulwerk courses to adults at seven universities over the past 25 years. She has presented conference sessions and workshops at national conferences, state music educators associations, school districts, and Orff chapters throughout the US. Dr. Scott has presented sessions internationally at conferences in Greece (ISME), Australia (ANCOS, IKS), China (ISME), Italy (ISME), and Thailand (CMS).
Darla Meek, TAMUC
Darla Meek serves as Music Education Coordinator at Texas A & M University-Commerce, teaching undergraduate and graduate music classes and supervising student teachers. Mrs. Meek came to TAMUC after teaching music and movement in elementary schools for fifteen years. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Dallas Baptist University, and a Master of Music at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Mrs. Meek serves as a national teacher trainer for the American Orff Schulwerk Association in both pedagogy and movement for Orff Levels courses. Mrs. Meek has published children’s choir curricula for Lifeway Christian Resources and for Celebrating Grace, Inc, and often presents sessions for teachers at conferences and workshops at the district, state, and national levels. She is married and has two children, Gregory (20) and Aubrey (19).
Julie Scott is Associate Professor of Practice in Music Education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she has taught for nine years. She earned a Ph.D. from Eastman School of Music in 2010, where she was Assistant Professor (Teaching) of Music Education for one year. Besides teaching at SMU, Dr. Scott served as director of the 100-voice Lewisville Independent School District 5th Grade Honor Choir for 8 years. This choir was invited to perform under her direction for the Texas Music Educators Conference in 2012 and in 2004. Prior to teaching at the college level, Dr. Scott taught elementary music in Texas schools for 17 years and served as Elementary Music Coordinator for the Richardson Independent School District for two years. She has served as a children’s choir director in schools and churches for 30 years. In addition, she is a past president of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
Dr. Scott is Director of Music Educators Workshops at SMU, and she has taught summer Orff Schulwerk courses to adults at seven universities over the past 25 years. She has presented conference sessions and workshops at national conferences, state music educators associations, school districts, and Orff chapters throughout the US. Dr. Scott has presented sessions internationally at conferences in Greece (ISME), Australia (ANCOS, IKS), China (ISME), Italy (ISME), and Thailand (CMS).
Darla Meek, TAMUC
Darla Meek serves as Music Education Coordinator at Texas A & M University-Commerce, teaching undergraduate and graduate music classes and supervising student teachers. Mrs. Meek came to TAMUC after teaching music and movement in elementary schools for fifteen years. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Dallas Baptist University, and a Master of Music at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Mrs. Meek serves as a national teacher trainer for the American Orff Schulwerk Association in both pedagogy and movement for Orff Levels courses. Mrs. Meek has published children’s choir curricula for Lifeway Christian Resources and for Celebrating Grace, Inc, and often presents sessions for teachers at conferences and workshops at the district, state, and national levels. She is married and has two children, Gregory (20) and Aubrey (19).
theatre
Sherry Ward, Dallas Children's Theatre
Sherry Ward holds an MFA in Theatre Management and Arts Administration from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and is the PR Manager at Dallas Children’s Theater. Sherry has spent twelve years in arts administration including work as a marketing director, publicist at the world renowned Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, and teacher. She taught theatre management at Baylor University and helped create the Arts Marketing program with Hankamer School of Business. Sherry is also an award-winning actor with her most memorable DFW role being Barbara in August Osage County at WaterTower Theatre. Sherry and her actor husband Thomas have two sons, Christopher and Adam.
Sherry Ward holds an MFA in Theatre Management and Arts Administration from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and is the PR Manager at Dallas Children’s Theater. Sherry has spent twelve years in arts administration including work as a marketing director, publicist at the world renowned Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, and teacher. She taught theatre management at Baylor University and helped create the Arts Marketing program with Hankamer School of Business. Sherry is also an award-winning actor with her most memorable DFW role being Barbara in August Osage County at WaterTower Theatre. Sherry and her actor husband Thomas have two sons, Christopher and Adam.
