AMEP (Private Lesson) Teaching Staff
Flute
Janis Grannell - Grades 6-12
[email protected]
817.213.7900
Janis Grannell was born in Memphis, Tennessee where she received her first musical training in the form of piano lessons. The family moved to North Platte, Nebraska when she was eight and she finished her high school education there. She started to play flute in fifth grade. High school awards earned were principal flute two years in the Hastings Select Honor Band, two years in the Nebraska All-State Band, the John Philip Sousa Band Award, the National Orchestra Award, and the Paderewski Gold Medal for receiving a superior rating for ten years in piano Guild.
Her college years were spent at Texas Christian University as a Nordan Scholarship recipient, where she studied flute under Dr. Ralph Guenther and piano with Keith Mixson. She played with the T.C.U. Symphony Orchestra and was selected twice (eligible every other year) as Honors performer in the concerto competition. She also played in the T.C.U. Woodwind Quintet, coached by Noah Knepper. While at T.C.U., she presented five full flute recitals and several chamber recitals. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, was elected Mu Phi Epsilon president, was tapped for Mortar Board, was the senior scholar in music, and was awarded a Performer’s Certificate. Graduate studies continued at the University of Georgia where she received a teaching assistantship, studying flute with Dr. Ron Waln. She was elected to Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda and graduated with a 4.0. She was soloist with the University of Georgia Symphony and was a member of the Honors Woodwind Quintet. She played as soloist with the Atlanta Symphony when they were in residency for three days at the University.
Post-graduate studies include many master classes and recitals. Janis has performed at classes with William Bennett, Karl Kraber, Louis Moyse, Trevor Wye, Geoffrey Gilbert, Jean-Pierre Rampal, and Murray Panitz, and studied flute for many years with Dr. George Morey, retired University of North Texas professor.
Janis taught adjunct at Texas Christian University, and seventeen years at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she taught flute, coached ensembles, and taught two courses. Her flute choir once played for the CBS Morning Show out of New York. Her students have gone on to achieve successful graduate studies and good teaching positions. She now teaches middle and high school students and has had many All-Region and All-State players. Janis performed for many years with Michael Reed at the Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth and does free-lance work throughout the metroplex. She played with the now defunct Texas Wind Symphony and is active as a clinician and adjudicator. She balances her musical life with family, raising one daughter with her husband, Stephen.
[email protected]
817.213.7900
Janis Grannell was born in Memphis, Tennessee where she received her first musical training in the form of piano lessons. The family moved to North Platte, Nebraska when she was eight and she finished her high school education there. She started to play flute in fifth grade. High school awards earned were principal flute two years in the Hastings Select Honor Band, two years in the Nebraska All-State Band, the John Philip Sousa Band Award, the National Orchestra Award, and the Paderewski Gold Medal for receiving a superior rating for ten years in piano Guild.
Her college years were spent at Texas Christian University as a Nordan Scholarship recipient, where she studied flute under Dr. Ralph Guenther and piano with Keith Mixson. She played with the T.C.U. Symphony Orchestra and was selected twice (eligible every other year) as Honors performer in the concerto competition. She also played in the T.C.U. Woodwind Quintet, coached by Noah Knepper. While at T.C.U., she presented five full flute recitals and several chamber recitals. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, was elected Mu Phi Epsilon president, was tapped for Mortar Board, was the senior scholar in music, and was awarded a Performer’s Certificate. Graduate studies continued at the University of Georgia where she received a teaching assistantship, studying flute with Dr. Ron Waln. She was elected to Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda and graduated with a 4.0. She was soloist with the University of Georgia Symphony and was a member of the Honors Woodwind Quintet. She played as soloist with the Atlanta Symphony when they were in residency for three days at the University.
Post-graduate studies include many master classes and recitals. Janis has performed at classes with William Bennett, Karl Kraber, Louis Moyse, Trevor Wye, Geoffrey Gilbert, Jean-Pierre Rampal, and Murray Panitz, and studied flute for many years with Dr. George Morey, retired University of North Texas professor.
Janis taught adjunct at Texas Christian University, and seventeen years at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she taught flute, coached ensembles, and taught two courses. Her flute choir once played for the CBS Morning Show out of New York. Her students have gone on to achieve successful graduate studies and good teaching positions. She now teaches middle and high school students and has had many All-Region and All-State players. Janis performed for many years with Michael Reed at the Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth and does free-lance work throughout the metroplex. She played with the now defunct Texas Wind Symphony and is active as a clinician and adjudicator. She balances her musical life with family, raising one daughter with her husband, Stephen.
Oboe
Bassoon
Michael Scott Grades 6-12
[email protected]
870-761-2977
Michael Scott is currently in the process of finishing his D.M.A./Bassoon Performance degree at the University of Missouri- Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he studied with Marita Abner. He is currently working on a reed making book and starting up a reed and cane processing company to supply students and professional with quality reeds and cane as the final project to complete his Doctoral degree.
While living in Kansas City Michael enjoyed an active performing lifestyle, performing in the Conservatory’s Graduate Fellowship Woodwind Quintet, the Conservatory Orchestra, and Wind Symphony. Outside of school Michael was an active chamber music performer, and freelance musician in the Kansas City area. He was the Second Bassoonist in the Kinnor Philharmonic, and subbed frequently with the Kansas City Symphony, the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, and the Wichita Symphony.
Michael has performed in numerous masterclasses with prominent bassoonist from around the country, along with performing at numerous conferences, including the Midwest Clinic, American Bandmasters Association, College Music Society conferences, regional and national College Band Directors National Association conferences, and the International Double Reed Society conference. For the past three years he has served as Co-Principal of the Endless Mountain Music Festival in Pennsylvania, and in 2013 traveled to China to perform in the Beijing Modern Music Festival.
Michael received his Bachelor of Music in 2004 from Arkansas State University, where he studied with Dan Ross. While attending ASU he served as Principal Bassoonist in the ASU Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. He served as Second Bassoonist in the Northeast Arkansas Symphony from 1997 to 1999, then served as Principal Bassoonist in the Delta Symphony Orchestra from 1999 to 2004. During the summers of 2000 through 2003 he served as Principal Bassoonist at the Wildwood Opera Festival in Little Rock, Arkansas.
After graduating from ASU Michael studied at Louisiana State University with William Ludwig and received a Master of Music degree in 2006. While attending LSU, he served as Principal Bassoonist in the University Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. He also served as Principal in the Louisiana Sinfonietta and as a substitute Bassoonist for the Baton Rouge Symphony. Several selections from his master’s recital were selected for WKRF’s radio program “The LSU School of Music Presents.”
[email protected]
870-761-2977
Michael Scott is currently in the process of finishing his D.M.A./Bassoon Performance degree at the University of Missouri- Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he studied with Marita Abner. He is currently working on a reed making book and starting up a reed and cane processing company to supply students and professional with quality reeds and cane as the final project to complete his Doctoral degree.
While living in Kansas City Michael enjoyed an active performing lifestyle, performing in the Conservatory’s Graduate Fellowship Woodwind Quintet, the Conservatory Orchestra, and Wind Symphony. Outside of school Michael was an active chamber music performer, and freelance musician in the Kansas City area. He was the Second Bassoonist in the Kinnor Philharmonic, and subbed frequently with the Kansas City Symphony, the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, and the Wichita Symphony.
Michael has performed in numerous masterclasses with prominent bassoonist from around the country, along with performing at numerous conferences, including the Midwest Clinic, American Bandmasters Association, College Music Society conferences, regional and national College Band Directors National Association conferences, and the International Double Reed Society conference. For the past three years he has served as Co-Principal of the Endless Mountain Music Festival in Pennsylvania, and in 2013 traveled to China to perform in the Beijing Modern Music Festival.
Michael received his Bachelor of Music in 2004 from Arkansas State University, where he studied with Dan Ross. While attending ASU he served as Principal Bassoonist in the ASU Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. He served as Second Bassoonist in the Northeast Arkansas Symphony from 1997 to 1999, then served as Principal Bassoonist in the Delta Symphony Orchestra from 1999 to 2004. During the summers of 2000 through 2003 he served as Principal Bassoonist at the Wildwood Opera Festival in Little Rock, Arkansas.
After graduating from ASU Michael studied at Louisiana State University with William Ludwig and received a Master of Music degree in 2006. While attending LSU, he served as Principal Bassoonist in the University Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. He also served as Principal in the Louisiana Sinfonietta and as a substitute Bassoonist for the Baton Rouge Symphony. Several selections from his master’s recital were selected for WKRF’s radio program “The LSU School of Music Presents.”
Clarinet
Susan Ishii - Clarinet 6-12
[email protected]
(Studio Currently Full)
Susan Ishii has over 25 years of experience as a private music instructor. She has had numerous students make the Texas All-State Band and receive Superior "I" ratings on their solos at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest.
Susan is an active free-lance musician in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She has performed with the Dallas Summer Musicals, the Fort Worth Opera Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Texas Wind Symphony, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Pete Peterson and the Collection, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Donny Osmond, and Rosemary Clooney, among others. She is also in demand as a clarinet clinician and music contest adjudicator. Mrs. Ishii has been a member of the Aledo Private Enrichement staff since 2006.
[email protected]
(Studio Currently Full)
Susan Ishii has over 25 years of experience as a private music instructor. She has had numerous students make the Texas All-State Band and receive Superior "I" ratings on their solos at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest.
Susan is an active free-lance musician in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She has performed with the Dallas Summer Musicals, the Fort Worth Opera Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Texas Wind Symphony, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Pete Peterson and the Collection, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Donny Osmond, and Rosemary Clooney, among others. She is also in demand as a clarinet clinician and music contest adjudicator. Mrs. Ishii has been a member of the Aledo Private Enrichement staff since 2006.
Sandra Paola Fajardo - Clarinet 6-12
[email protected]
682-557-8774
Sandra Paola Fajardo is a clarinetist originally from Yopal, Colombia.
She graduated from Central University of Colombia with a Bachelor’s Degree in clarinet performance. Ms. Fajardo holds a Master degree in clarinet performance and an Artist Diploma from Texas Christian University. She began taking clarinet lessons when she was 15 in her High school studies. She won “Jovenes Interpretes of the Tadeo Lozano University and also she was the winner of concerto 4M, “National Museum Prize” in Bogota-Colombia.
Sandra is a clarinet associated of San Angelo symphony, Irving Symphony Orchestra, and Plano Symphony Orchestra. Sandra taught clarinet at the Young Musician’s Band in Yopal, Municipal Band of Soacha in Cundinamarca, and Middle School and High School Policarpa Salavarrieta in Bogota, Colombia. She was a clarinet teacher of the Middle and High School at Cleburne, Texas. Sandra has been a clarinet associated instructor of B Sharp music program and B Sharp Youth Orchestra in Fort Worth, Texas since 2013. Ms. Fajardo has been a clarinet instructor for T.A. Howard middle school, Summit and Legacy High school in the Mansfield district.
[email protected]
682-557-8774
Sandra Paola Fajardo is a clarinetist originally from Yopal, Colombia.
She graduated from Central University of Colombia with a Bachelor’s Degree in clarinet performance. Ms. Fajardo holds a Master degree in clarinet performance and an Artist Diploma from Texas Christian University. She began taking clarinet lessons when she was 15 in her High school studies. She won “Jovenes Interpretes of the Tadeo Lozano University and also she was the winner of concerto 4M, “National Museum Prize” in Bogota-Colombia.
Sandra is a clarinet associated of San Angelo symphony, Irving Symphony Orchestra, and Plano Symphony Orchestra. Sandra taught clarinet at the Young Musician’s Band in Yopal, Municipal Band of Soacha in Cundinamarca, and Middle School and High School Policarpa Salavarrieta in Bogota, Colombia. She was a clarinet teacher of the Middle and High School at Cleburne, Texas. Sandra has been a clarinet associated instructor of B Sharp music program and B Sharp Youth Orchestra in Fort Worth, Texas since 2013. Ms. Fajardo has been a clarinet instructor for T.A. Howard middle school, Summit and Legacy High school in the Mansfield district.
Saxophone
Preston Lewis - Grades 6-12
[email protected]
Preston Lewis is a graduate of Texas Christian University, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2008 and a Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance in 2010. Preston received TCU’s Nordan Young Artist Award and the accompanying full scholarship upon graduation from Alvarado high school in 2004. Preston is a former student of TCU Saxophone Professor Joe Eckert, former director of the US Air Force Airmen of Note. He also studied saxophone at TCU in the studio of Dr. John Giordano, former Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony.
Preston began his formal music studies at age seven studying piano under Eastman School of Music graduate Mr. Tim Scholl, Professor of Piano and Music Theory at Southwest Adventist University. Preston continued his studies with Tim Scholl continuously until his graduation from high school, receiving numerous state, national, and international awards from the National Guild of Piano Teachers along the way. He began playing saxophone at age 8. He began private study under Mr. Tim Ishii at age 13 and was named to numerous All-District, All-Region, All-Area, and All-State jazz and concert bands on alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone throughout his public school career. Preston received first division ratings in the UIL State Saxophone Solo contest all four years in high school, receiving UIL state championship medals as an outstanding performer in two of those years.
Preston went on to study at the Interlochen International Arts Camp as a double major in jazz and concert band which brought him under the tutelage of some of the nations foremost music educators, performers, and conductors including the likes of conductors Frederick Fennell, Gary Greene, and John Whitwell. He studied privately with saxophonist Tim McCallister and took saxophone master classes with Donald Sinta. He also received jazz instruction from David Kay and Frank Mantooth.
During his college career Preston studied and performed with local, national, and international greats like Frank Mantooth, Lou Carfa, Tim Ries, Rick Stitzel, Andy Martin, Wayne Bergeron, Joey Carter, Jim Snidero, Dave Pietro, Victor Goines, and many others. Preston was the lead jazz tenor at TCU during his undergraduate career, switching to lead jazz alto during his graduate studies. Preston was also principal saxophonist for the TCU Wind Ensemble during both his undergraduate and graduate studies amassing a repertoire of great saxophone solos and ensemble works. In addition to jazz and concert ensembles, Preston is also a former soprano saxophonist of the Imperial Saxophone Quartet, the premier woodwind chamber ensemble of TCU. He has performed across the US and Europe including Italy’s prestigious Umbria Jazz festival.
Preston has been teaching private lessons for three years and is currently accepting students. Preston is currently in demand as a performer in various bands and performing groups throughout the North Texas area.
[email protected]
Preston Lewis is a graduate of Texas Christian University, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2008 and a Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance in 2010. Preston received TCU’s Nordan Young Artist Award and the accompanying full scholarship upon graduation from Alvarado high school in 2004. Preston is a former student of TCU Saxophone Professor Joe Eckert, former director of the US Air Force Airmen of Note. He also studied saxophone at TCU in the studio of Dr. John Giordano, former Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony.
Preston began his formal music studies at age seven studying piano under Eastman School of Music graduate Mr. Tim Scholl, Professor of Piano and Music Theory at Southwest Adventist University. Preston continued his studies with Tim Scholl continuously until his graduation from high school, receiving numerous state, national, and international awards from the National Guild of Piano Teachers along the way. He began playing saxophone at age 8. He began private study under Mr. Tim Ishii at age 13 and was named to numerous All-District, All-Region, All-Area, and All-State jazz and concert bands on alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone throughout his public school career. Preston received first division ratings in the UIL State Saxophone Solo contest all four years in high school, receiving UIL state championship medals as an outstanding performer in two of those years.
Preston went on to study at the Interlochen International Arts Camp as a double major in jazz and concert band which brought him under the tutelage of some of the nations foremost music educators, performers, and conductors including the likes of conductors Frederick Fennell, Gary Greene, and John Whitwell. He studied privately with saxophonist Tim McCallister and took saxophone master classes with Donald Sinta. He also received jazz instruction from David Kay and Frank Mantooth.
During his college career Preston studied and performed with local, national, and international greats like Frank Mantooth, Lou Carfa, Tim Ries, Rick Stitzel, Andy Martin, Wayne Bergeron, Joey Carter, Jim Snidero, Dave Pietro, Victor Goines, and many others. Preston was the lead jazz tenor at TCU during his undergraduate career, switching to lead jazz alto during his graduate studies. Preston was also principal saxophonist for the TCU Wind Ensemble during both his undergraduate and graduate studies amassing a repertoire of great saxophone solos and ensemble works. In addition to jazz and concert ensembles, Preston is also a former soprano saxophonist of the Imperial Saxophone Quartet, the premier woodwind chamber ensemble of TCU. He has performed across the US and Europe including Italy’s prestigious Umbria Jazz festival.
Preston has been teaching private lessons for three years and is currently accepting students. Preston is currently in demand as a performer in various bands and performing groups throughout the North Texas area.
John Stevens - Grades 6-12
[email protected]
571.277.8347
John Stevens has been working as a professional musician and music educator for 30 plus years. Having served for 25 years as a Saxophonist with The U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own in Washington D.C., Mr. Stevens routinely performed for national and international events, nationally-televised concerts and U.S. Presidential ceremonies, and for professional music events in and around the nation’s capital of Washington D.C. He performed in such venues as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Lincoln Center for The Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall in New York City but was also just as active performing at White House dinners and events, outdoor concerts in and around the nation’s capital, and conferences and conventions throughout the country.
As a member of this elite musical organization, Mr. Stevens performed with both The United States Army Concert Band and The U.S. Army Blues Jazz Band, equally at home with both classical performances and jazz events. He also solemnly performed for countless military ceremonies and funerals of U.S. statesmen and heroes honored in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, a duty he never took for granted.
For the last half of his Pershing’s Own career and while still performing for some of the most elite music events in the country, Mr. Stevens also served The U.S. Army Band as a saxophone section leader and as a woodwinds performance evaluator, rating performance levels and providing counseling helpful to promoting the professional performance skills required to maintain the honored standing of this prestigious professional music organization and its individual professional musicians. He also oversaw and directed the national searches and auditions for filling the various saxophone vacancies for The U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own bands including vacancies in The United States Army Concert Band and Orchestra, The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, and The U.S. Army Blues.
In addition to Mr. Stevens’ prestigious military career with The U.S. Army Band in Washington D.C., Mr. Stevens has worked as a professional saxophonist and woodwinds specialist for over 30 years, having performed with more than 100+ commercial bands, ethnic and chamber music ensembles, and jazz combos. He has performed as a guest saxophonist and clarinetist with several east coast symphony orchestras and recorded a CD with The National Symphony Orchestra out of Washington D.C. He has also played as a multiple woodwinds specialist for seven long-running musical theatre productions and has recorded more than 50 studio sound tracts for movie productions, television documentaries, and commercial CDs and demos and has performed live alongside some of the most well-respected artists and entertainers such as Aretha Franklin, Peabo Bryson, Kenny Loggins, and Quincy Jones.
Mr. Stevens is not only active as a professional saxophonist and multiple woodwinds expert, he is active in multiple musical genres covering styles from symphony and chamber music to ethnic ensembles, jazz and fusion, R&B, Rockabilly, and Texas Country bands. He was recently a member of a Texas Red Dirt band that was the winner of the 2012 “Live Band of the Year Award” at the Texas Music Awards. His performance venues have ranged from elite performance halls and televised events to weddings and business Christmas parties.
[email protected]
571.277.8347
John Stevens has been working as a professional musician and music educator for 30 plus years. Having served for 25 years as a Saxophonist with The U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own in Washington D.C., Mr. Stevens routinely performed for national and international events, nationally-televised concerts and U.S. Presidential ceremonies, and for professional music events in and around the nation’s capital of Washington D.C. He performed in such venues as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Lincoln Center for The Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall in New York City but was also just as active performing at White House dinners and events, outdoor concerts in and around the nation’s capital, and conferences and conventions throughout the country.
As a member of this elite musical organization, Mr. Stevens performed with both The United States Army Concert Band and The U.S. Army Blues Jazz Band, equally at home with both classical performances and jazz events. He also solemnly performed for countless military ceremonies and funerals of U.S. statesmen and heroes honored in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, a duty he never took for granted.
For the last half of his Pershing’s Own career and while still performing for some of the most elite music events in the country, Mr. Stevens also served The U.S. Army Band as a saxophone section leader and as a woodwinds performance evaluator, rating performance levels and providing counseling helpful to promoting the professional performance skills required to maintain the honored standing of this prestigious professional music organization and its individual professional musicians. He also oversaw and directed the national searches and auditions for filling the various saxophone vacancies for The U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own bands including vacancies in The United States Army Concert Band and Orchestra, The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, and The U.S. Army Blues.
In addition to Mr. Stevens’ prestigious military career with The U.S. Army Band in Washington D.C., Mr. Stevens has worked as a professional saxophonist and woodwinds specialist for over 30 years, having performed with more than 100+ commercial bands, ethnic and chamber music ensembles, and jazz combos. He has performed as a guest saxophonist and clarinetist with several east coast symphony orchestras and recorded a CD with The National Symphony Orchestra out of Washington D.C. He has also played as a multiple woodwinds specialist for seven long-running musical theatre productions and has recorded more than 50 studio sound tracts for movie productions, television documentaries, and commercial CDs and demos and has performed live alongside some of the most well-respected artists and entertainers such as Aretha Franklin, Peabo Bryson, Kenny Loggins, and Quincy Jones.
Mr. Stevens is not only active as a professional saxophonist and multiple woodwinds expert, he is active in multiple musical genres covering styles from symphony and chamber music to ethnic ensembles, jazz and fusion, R&B, Rockabilly, and Texas Country bands. He was recently a member of a Texas Red Dirt band that was the winner of the 2012 “Live Band of the Year Award” at the Texas Music Awards. His performance venues have ranged from elite performance halls and televised events to weddings and business Christmas parties.
French Horn
Trumpet
Beth Losos - Grades 6-8
[email protected]
817.441.5619
Beth Losos is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. After completing her degree, Beth taught in the Weatherford ISD as a band director for five years. Since that time, Beth has taught private trumpet lessons for 20+ years. She has also been a member of the Aledo Private Enrichment staff since 2009.
Beth and her family reside in Aledo and her children have been very active in the Aledo ISD band program.
[email protected]
817.441.5619
Beth Losos is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. After completing her degree, Beth taught in the Weatherford ISD as a band director for five years. Since that time, Beth has taught private trumpet lessons for 20+ years. She has also been a member of the Aledo Private Enrichment staff since 2009.
Beth and her family reside in Aledo and her children have been very active in the Aledo ISD band program.
Daniel Wilson Grades 6-12
[email protected]
903-918-9968
Daniel Wilson is a doctoral candidate at The University of North Texas. During his time doing coursework, he held a Teaching Fellowship that allowed him to teach some of the best undergraduate trumpet students in the country.
He holds a Bachelors degree in Music Performance from Henderson State University and a Masters degree in Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has performed with such groups as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Opera, The Orchestra of New Spain, the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the Little Rock Wind Symphony. He has also toured Germany with the group Eurobrass.
He currently teaches and freelances in the DFW area.
Other hobbies include mountain biking and hanging out with "Bear," his puppy.
[email protected]
903-918-9968
Daniel Wilson is a doctoral candidate at The University of North Texas. During his time doing coursework, he held a Teaching Fellowship that allowed him to teach some of the best undergraduate trumpet students in the country.
He holds a Bachelors degree in Music Performance from Henderson State University and a Masters degree in Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has performed with such groups as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Opera, The Orchestra of New Spain, the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the Little Rock Wind Symphony. He has also toured Germany with the group Eurobrass.
He currently teaches and freelances in the DFW area.
Other hobbies include mountain biking and hanging out with "Bear," his puppy.
Trombone
Dutch Ode - Grades 6-12
[email protected]
817.565.6206
Dutch Ode has been teaching and playing trombone professionally for over 15 years. He has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from Texas Tech University. He has additional orchestral training as a fellowship recipient to the Interlochen National Music Camp, Brevard Music Festival, American Wind Symphony National Tour and the Las Vegas Music Festival. His principal mentors have been Fred "Moe" Snyder, Vernon Forbes, Craig Fuller, Tim Howe and Don Lucas.
Dutch has been the designate Trombone Instructor for the Aledo ISD Private Enrichment Program since Spring 2007. His students at Aledo have garnered Region, Area and State accolades, and several students continue to play their instruments at the college/university level. In addition to his large studio at Aledo, Dutch is also the Low Brass Instructor at Tarleton State University and the Trombone Instructor at Weatherford College. He also teaches a limited number of students in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw, Clebourne, and Weatherford school districts. Despite his busy teaching schedule, Dutch still finds time to perform regularly with the TSU Faculty Brass, DFW party band "Definitely Maybe", and the jazz septet "The Goatees". Dutch resides in Weatherford with his wife Leslie and daughter Allison.
[email protected]
817.565.6206
Dutch Ode has been teaching and playing trombone professionally for over 15 years. He has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from Texas Tech University. He has additional orchestral training as a fellowship recipient to the Interlochen National Music Camp, Brevard Music Festival, American Wind Symphony National Tour and the Las Vegas Music Festival. His principal mentors have been Fred "Moe" Snyder, Vernon Forbes, Craig Fuller, Tim Howe and Don Lucas.
Dutch has been the designate Trombone Instructor for the Aledo ISD Private Enrichment Program since Spring 2007. His students at Aledo have garnered Region, Area and State accolades, and several students continue to play their instruments at the college/university level. In addition to his large studio at Aledo, Dutch is also the Low Brass Instructor at Tarleton State University and the Trombone Instructor at Weatherford College. He also teaches a limited number of students in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw, Clebourne, and Weatherford school districts. Despite his busy teaching schedule, Dutch still finds time to perform regularly with the TSU Faculty Brass, DFW party band "Definitely Maybe", and the jazz septet "The Goatees". Dutch resides in Weatherford with his wife Leslie and daughter Allison.
Tuba/Euphonium
Percussion
Todd Ukena- Grades 6-12
[email protected]
817.629.1801
Todd A. Ukena is a composer and arranger of percussion literature and has been playing percussion since 1970. He received a B.M.E. degree from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, in 1980 studying with Mr. Eddie Lockhart. Later, he completed a M.M. Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Oklahoma in 1988 studying with Dr. Richard Gipson. Other post graduate work was done at the University of North Texas, studying with Ron Fink and Dr. Robert Schietroma.
His performance career has been well-rounded, including musicals, concert bands, jazz ensembles, percussion ensembles, solo work and marching with "The Pride" of Oklahoma Marching Band and the Valiant Knights Drum and Bugle Corps where he later served as drumline instructor and arranger. He was a finalist in the Enid-Phillips University Young Artist Competition in 1979.
He taught in the Weatherford I.S.D. since 1982, starting as assistant band director and percussion instructor, then later as Director of Music at Mary Martin Elementary School while being the front line director of the Weatherford Kangaroos Marching Band from 2006-2010, and from 2008-2010, as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. He has taught private percussion in numerous in numerous school districts in Oklahoma and Texas since 1976.
[email protected]
817.629.1801
Todd A. Ukena is a composer and arranger of percussion literature and has been playing percussion since 1970. He received a B.M.E. degree from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, in 1980 studying with Mr. Eddie Lockhart. Later, he completed a M.M. Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Oklahoma in 1988 studying with Dr. Richard Gipson. Other post graduate work was done at the University of North Texas, studying with Ron Fink and Dr. Robert Schietroma.
His performance career has been well-rounded, including musicals, concert bands, jazz ensembles, percussion ensembles, solo work and marching with "The Pride" of Oklahoma Marching Band and the Valiant Knights Drum and Bugle Corps where he later served as drumline instructor and arranger. He was a finalist in the Enid-Phillips University Young Artist Competition in 1979.
He taught in the Weatherford I.S.D. since 1982, starting as assistant band director and percussion instructor, then later as Director of Music at Mary Martin Elementary School while being the front line director of the Weatherford Kangaroos Marching Band from 2006-2010, and from 2008-2010, as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. He has taught private percussion in numerous in numerous school districts in Oklahoma and Texas since 1976.