Our Team
Dianne Brumley
Dr. Mandy Epley
Dr. Mandy Epley
- Director of Choral Music Studies and Professor of Music Education, Emerita at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – Brownsville
- Choral music education consultant, mentor, and music education advocate in public schools and universities across Texas and beyond
- Frequent guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout Texas and the United States
- First person to hold the position of Director of Choral Studies at UTRGV – Brownsville and founding conductor of the University Master Chorale.
- Served for 20 years as the founding Conductor and Artistic Director of the South Texas Chorale and Festival Orchestra
- Successful music educator for more than 25 years at all levels K-12, as well as school district fine arts administrator
- Performances of her choirs at state and national conventions including TMEA, ACDA, and TCDA
- Recipient of TCDA’s Texas Choral Excellence Award
- Named Woman of Note by TSU and was among one hundred women honored at the dedication of the university’s permanent exhibit of Southwest Texas Women: The First Hundred Years
- Recipient of the Charles B. Feldman Arts Award and the AAUW Outstanding Women of Achievement Award
- Past Vice-President of Texas Choral Directors Association, National Chairperson for Women’s Choruses for American Choral Directors Association
- Named “2018 Choirmaster of the Year” by the Texas Choral Directors Association
Dr. Mandy Epley
Dr. Mandy Epley
Dr. Mandy Epley
- Superintendent, Navarro ISD
- Former Acting Superintendent of Schools for Comal ISD
- Former Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Initiatives and Programs for Comal ISD (former Director of Fine Arts and former Executive Director of Human Resources and Customer Service for Comal ISD)
- Multiple UIL OAP Regional Qualifier and State Meet participant over 16 years of teaching theatre.
- Past President of Texas Educational Theatre Association K-12 Board
- Current UIL OAP adjudicator and member of TTAO Standards and Practice Committee
- Recipient of Theatre Educator of the Year from Texas Educational Theatre Association Association
- Recipient of Northside ISD Educator of the Year and a KENS5/SACU Excel Award Winner
- Acts and directs professionally and serves as Artistic Director of San Antonio’s Inception Theatre
- Frequent workshop presenter for school districts, professional organization conventions, and theatre intensive summer camps
- One of the authors and partners of Maestro Theatre Publications, LLC. Teacher Resources for Theatre Education
Dinah Menger
Dr. Mandy Epley
Denise Cochran
- Retired Director of Choral and Elementary Music, Fort Worth ISD
- Past President of Texas Music Educators Association
- Past President of Texas Music Adjudicators Association
- Past President, Texas Fine Arts Administrators (Formerly Texas Music Administrators Conference)
- Artistic Director of the Lone Star Youth Chorus
- Former professor/lecturer for Baylor University School of Music 2013-2015
- Frequent adjudicator, guest conductor/clinician, professional development presenter
- Past Chair, UIL Prescribed Music List Committee
- Ms. Menger's Arlington High Chamber Singers featured as a Kurt Weill National HS Honor Choir at Carnegie Hall in 2013
- Winner of the American Classic Madrigal Festival in 2010 (Arlington HS Chamber Singers)
- While Director of Choral activities at Arlington High School, Ms. Menger's choirs performed at TMEA in 2005 and 2009, and for ACDA conventions in 2007 and 2013.
Denise Cochran
Dr. Sarah Martinez
Denise Cochran
- Supervisor of Dance Student Teachers for Texas State University
- Supervisor of Dance Student Teachers for the University of Texas
- Retired Coordinator of Dance for Round Rock ISD
- Past President of Texas Dance Educators Association
- Recipient of "Lifetime Achievement Award" from Texas Dance Educators Association
- Member of the cadre of trainers for the Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts
- Appointed by the Texas State Board of Education as a member of the writing team for the revision of the Fine Arts TEKS
- Frequent presenter for school districts, professional organization conventions, and TEA educational service centers
- Member of the steering committee of the Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education
Dr. Sarah Martinez
Dr. Sarah Martinez
Dr. Sarah Martinez
- Assistant Director of Fine Arts, Pflugerville ISD (Texas)
- Vocal Coordinator for Texas Music Educators Association Region 26 2016-2018)
- Frequent presenter in the areas of choral music, elementary music, and program development
- TMEA Mentor Teacher
- Treasurer, Kodály Educators of Texas 2015-2019
- Deputy Treasurer, Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE), 2022-2024
- Sweepstakes in UIL Choral Evaluations, including Title I schools
- Presenter at Organization of American Kodály Educators National Conference in 2018, 2020, and 2022
- Texas Choral Directors Association Middle School All-State Choir Screener 2019
Betsy Murphy
Dr. Sarah Martinez
Dr. Sarah Martinez
- Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Art & Art History, University of Texas at Austin (Retired)
- Field Supervisor for U Teach Fine Arts
- Distinguished Fellow, Texas Art Education Association
- Outstanding Art Educator, Higher Education Division, Texas Art Education Association, 2019
- Advocacy Chairperson, TAEA, 2020 - present
- Secretary, TAEA, 2017 – 2019
- •Chapter contributor to the text Practice Theory; Seeing the Power of Art Teacher Researchers, M. Buffington & S. Wilson McKay, National Art Education Association Press
- Frequent presenter for school districts, universities, and professional organizations
- Frequent member of the editorial review board for TRENDS, The Journal of the Texas Art Education Association
- Practicing visual artist
- High School Division Chair, Texas Art Education Association, 2011 - 2015
- Art Department Chair, Cedar Park High School, Leander ISD, 2007-2014
- Art Teacher, Cedar Valley Middle School, Round Rock ISD, 2000-2007
- Art Teacher, Caraway Elementary School, Round Rock ISD, 1984-2007
Trina Martin
Dr. James T. Van Zandt
Dr. James T. Van Zandt
- Founder of Parents for Arts Education, www.parentsforartseducation.org
- Currently speaks on the importance of incorporating the parent voice in an organized, strategic manner in all fine arts advocacy at every level and to help with recruitment.
- Involved in direct advocacy for arts legislation during the 87th and 88th Texas legislative session and attended the NAMM DC fly-in to lobby for the current ESSA law
- 30+ years in the musical products industry, including Director of Brook Mays Music Company’s Foundation for Music Education and Director of Marketing and Product Development for Rhythm Band Instruments
- Provided multiple professional development sessions for elementary music teachers on topics including elementary drumming activities, STEAM, arts integration and classroom management
- As an involved parent, was elementary PTA officer and drill team booster club officer that consistently looked for ways to incorporate fine arts education advocacy
- Percussionist who performed with the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, University of Texas LHB and various churches, musicals and events
- In spare time teaches after school bucket drumming classes, chairperson of the RRISD Council for the Arts, coordinating advocacy with the City of Round Rock, attending music and arts events with husband and friends, and cheerleading her two amazing daughters through college, careers and the transition into teaching dance to the next generation.
Dr. James T. Van Zandt
Dr. James T. Van Zandt
Dr. James T. Van Zandt
- Director of Orchestras at Texas A&M University
- Former Director of Band and Orchestra at Southwestern University
- Former trombonist with the United States Air Force Band, Washington, D.C.
- Former Principal Trombone, Central Texas Philharmonic
- Professional Trombonist, Clinician, and Private Teacher
- Former Brass Staff, Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps
- DMA in Trombone Performance from the University of Texas
- Masters in Conducting from the University of Michigan
Carla Schuman
Dr. James T. Van Zandt
Carla Schuman
- Director of Fine Arts for the Comal School District
- Membership and Communication Manager for Texas Thespians following thirty-three years in educational theatre, both as a high school theatre teacher and administrator
- Communication Director-Elect on the board of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators Organization
- Member of the UIL Advisory Committee
- · Member of Texas Cultural Trust Arts Education Task Force
- UIL One-Act-Play adjudicator, clinician, and contest manager
- Believes in creating strong relationships with community and strives to be a trusted leader.
- Career long goal is to promote quality public education and advocate for the arts; enthusiastic about continuing that mission with Enhance the Arts, as well
Manuel Gamez
Don T. Haynes
Carla Schuman
- Director of Fine Arts for Pflugerville ISD
- Board Member, Texas Fine Arts Administrators (TFAA)
- Past Director of Fine Arts for Mission CISD
- Previous Head Band Director, Del Valle HS (El Paso)
- Previous Head Band Director, Irvin HS (El Paso)
- Loving husband to a beautiful wife and father of two boys
- Decision-making is driven by the goal of supporting students and teachers
JD Janda
Don T. Haynes
Don T. Haynes
- Director of Fine Arts, Tomball ISD
- Former Director of Fine Arts, Georgetown ISD
- Past President, Texas Music Educators Association
- Past Band Division Chair, Texas Music Educators Association
- Past President, Texas Music Administrators Conference
- Frequent presenter and lecturer at educator conferences, school districts, and universities
- Three terms served as member of the UIL State Music Technical Advisory Committee
- Former band director in Katy ISD
- · Recipient of Southwestern Bell-UIL Sponsor Excellence Award
- Consecutive UIL sweepstakes “best in class” awards, with his bands and orchestras
- Frequent UIL State Marching Contest participation with his bands
- Appointed by State Board of Education to serve on writing committee for the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts
- Founded and served as conductor of the Vivace Youth Orchestra which served students in Central Texas
- Is in demand as guest conductor and presenter throughout Texas and beyond
Don T. Haynes
Don T. Haynes
Don T. Haynes
- Retired Director of Bands at LBJ High School (Austin) - 40 years
- Inducted into the Texas Phi Beta Mu Band Director Hall of Fame (2018)
- Past President - Texas Bandmasters Association Board Member - 2006-2011
- Conductor-Clinician for the Louisiana All-State Concert Band
- Educational Clinician with Conn-Selmer
- Presenter for severalTexas TBA and TMEA Conventions
- Recipient of the Texas UIL Denius Award
- Recipient of the Austin Jazz Festival - Music Educator of the Year
- Symposium Feature Guest Conductor and Speaker - Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, LA) - Azusa Pacific University (Los Angeles) - Jackson State University ( Mississippi) - Coastal Carolina University (South Carolina) - Texas Tech University - The University of Texas at Austin
- National Band Festival Winners - LBJ Band Conductor
- Motivational Speaker - band camps, music programs, conventions
- Certified Life Coach - specializes with Program Leaders and Music Educators
- Past Director for the University of Texas Longhorn Alumni Band
- Interim Fine Arts Director (Austin ISD - spring 2017)
- Acting Instrumental Music Coordinator (Austin ISD - 2017-2018)
- Supervisor of Student Teaching - Faculty Member - Texas State University - Texas Tech University - University of North Texas
- Texas UIL Band Adjudicator - Concert & Sightreading for MS and HS
- Founder of the annual "Capital City Marching Festival" LBJ HS, Austin, Tx
- Masters Degree Instrumental Music Conducting - The University of Texas at Austin
- Certification Mid-Management Supervision - Texas State University
Pamela Arnold
Dr. Morris Stevens
Dr. Morris Stevens
- Supervisor of Art Student Teachers from The University of Texas / UTeach
- Assistant Professor for Art Education for The University of Texas-Fall 2022
- Taught elementary, middle and high school art for 30 years
- Taught private Summer Art lessons and camps at Laguna Gloria
- uror for VASE many years
- Distinguished Fellow in TAEA-Texas Art Education Association
- Presenter for art workshops in multiple school districts, Region Service Centers, and state organizations
- TAEA Membership Vice President and TAEA Region 13 Chairperson
- Outstanding Elementary Art Teacher-TAEA-2015
- Teacher of the Year for Berkman Elementary Round Rock ISD and Forest Creek Elementary Round Rock ISD
Dr. Morris Stevens
Dr. Morris Stevens
Dr. Morris Stevens
- Retired Assistant Professor of Music and Head of the Music Department, St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas
- Associate Music Minister at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Austin, Texas where he has served for the past 29 years
- Founder and Conductor: Masterworks Singers, Austin, Texas since 2007.
- Prior experience includes 20 years as Head Choral Director, Westwood High School, Round Rock ISD. Prior to that, 10 years as Head Choral Director, McCallum High School, Austin ISD. First assignment was Head Director at John Jay High School, Northside ISD, San Antonio, Texas for 4 years
- Recognized choral clinician and adjudicator for the past 46 years
- Awarded the Texas Choir Master Award by the Texas Choral Directors Association in August 2019 for lifetime achievements and contributions
- Co-Advocate with Jim Van Zandt for implementation of the Westwood H.S. Fine Arts Academy
- Co-author with Stan McGill of the best-selling 90 Days to Sightreading Success (3 volumes) published by AMC, Sightreading Success (currently 4 voicings) published by Hal Leonard, and 18 Lessons to Sightreading Success, published by Hal Leonard
- Education: The University of Texas at Austin, BMusEd, 1975, The University of Texas at San Antonio, MM Conducting, 1985, and The University of Texas at Austin, Ph.D., MusEd, 2001
- Married to Polly in 1979. Three children, Sarah, Patrick, and Rebekah. 4 grandchildren and a fifth on the way
- Hobbies: Golf, Hiking, Cycling and Outdoor Grilling
- Often jokingly refers to himself as “one of the four remaining native Austinites”
Patricia Moreno
Dr. Morris Stevens
Patricia Moreno
- Director of Fine Arts for Hays CISD
- Former Instructional Coordinator of Choral Music and Elementary Music for Austin I.S.D
- Vice President, Texas Music Administrators Conference (TMAC)
- Presenter for school districts and state, national, and international conferences
- Director, Kodály Certification Program at Texas State University
- Teacher, Education Through Movement by Phyllis Weikart
- Expert in Kodály and Orff methodologies
- Member of Cadre of Trainers for the Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts (CEDFA)
