Band Director Profiles

Mark Teal - Director of Bands - Duncanville ISD
B.M.Ed. University of North Texas

Mark Teal, Director of Bands

Mark Teal currently serves as the Director of Bands for the Duncanville Independent School District in Duncanville, Texas.  Prior to his position in Duncanville, he served as Assistant Director of Bands at Clark High School in Plano, Texas.

Mark’s duties during the school year include teaching and conducting the Wind Ensemble and assisting with the other performing bands at Duncanville High School. Mr. Teal also serves as director of the Duncanville Marching Band.  The Duncanville High School Marching Band has been the UIL State 5A Champion in 1986, 1990, and 2002.  DHS is the only 6A band in Texas to advance to the State Contest every year since 1988. Mr. Teal’s concert bands at Duncanville have also exclusively received superior ratings and won best in class at multiple festivals and contests. Mark has been involved in the Duncanville Wind Ensembles 2005 appearance at the Midwest Convention and Clinic and the 2008 5A TMEA Honor Band Concert (Duncanville HS) and CCC TMEA Honor Band Concert (Byrd MS). Duncanville High School Band holds both the Sudler Flag and Shield for excellence.

In 2002, Mark earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas. While at North Texas, Mark performed with the Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene Migliaro Corporan where he performed at TMEA, ABA and can be heard on numerous recordings produced by Klavier Records and GIA.  Mr. Teal also performed in the Graduate Classical Percussion Ensemble directed by Mark Ford, Pop Ensemble directed by Paul Rennick, and the 2000 PAS Champion UNT Indoor Drumline led by Paul Rennick.  At the 2000 PAS Convention in Dallas, Mark was named the College Keyboard World Champion.

Mark spent four years, 1996, 1998-2000 as a member of the front ensemble with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He has been a staff member with Carolina Crown (2001, 2004), the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps (2005-2010) and the Santa Clara Vanguard (2011) serving as a front ensemble technician. During those years, Phantom Regiment won three Fred Sanford Top Percussion awards (2006, 2008, and 2010) and the DCI World Championship in 2008. Since 2015, Mark now serves as an adjudicator for Drum Corps International.

Mark Teal is an active arranger, adjudicator and clinician where he has written for many top bands throughout the country, regularly judging solo, ensembles and band contests and has presented clinics at the Western Band Association Convention, the Percussive Arts Society Convention and the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention.

Mark has professional memberships with TMEA, TBA, PAS, and Phi Mu Alpha.​

Paula Tagalos - Associate Director of Bands - Duncanville ISD

B.M. Florida Southern College
M.M. University of North Texas

Paula Tagalos, Assistant Director, Duncanville High School

Paula Tagalos is the associate director of bands for Duncanville ISD.  Mrs. Tagalos conducts the Honors Band and assists with the other performing bands at Duncanville High School. She has experience in the ATSSB, charter school, TMEA, and university settings where she has experience ranging from second middle school assistant to university professor. Mrs. Tagalos started in Duncanville at Reed Middle School, and upon moving to DHS conducted the Concert and Varsity bands. Growing up outside of Texas, Mrs. Tagalos was a five-time member of the Florida All-State Band as well as the Florida All-State Collegiate Band. She has performed at the Midwest Clinic and Daytona International Music Festival where she performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and has been fortunate enough to perform for artists such as the American Horn Quartet and Barry Tuckwell.

She has performed with multiple orchestras in Florida, as well as the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, Sherman Orchestra, and the Lone Star Wind Orchestra. Her playing can be heard on multiple albums such a A Few Notes Between Friends and the Lone Star Wind Orchestra album, One for All. In addition to her wind band and orchestral playing, Mrs. Tagalos grew up playing in different jazz bands, performing with ensembles like the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band and Latin Jazz Band.

Mrs. Tagalos has written for and been published by the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Horn Society. She is also the current Texas chapter secretary for Women Band Directors International.

When she isn’t with the DHS Band, Mrs. Tagalos loves spending time with her husband, Ethan (Kennemer Middle School and STEAM Academy), their 2 dogs and 2 cats, gardening, reading, and learning about different cultures and cuisines. 

Lion Brown - Assistant Director, Duncanville High School

B.M.Ed. Stephen F. Austin State University
M.M. University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Lion Brown Headshot

Lion Brown is entering his first year as an assistant director at Duncanville High School where he conducts the Concert Band and assists with the marching and varsity bands.

Lion comes to Duncanville after receiving his Master’s degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). During his time at CCM, he studied conducting with Dr. Kevin Holzman, served as a graduate assistant for various ensembles and conducting courses, and conducted works with the CCM Brass Choir, Chamber Winds, Chamber Orchestra, Sax Ensemble, Flute Choir, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, and the UC Bearcat Marching Band. 

Prior to CCM, Lion attended Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA), where he received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. During his time at SFA, he worked closely with faculty and staff in roles including principal flutist of the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra of the Pines under the directions of Dr. David Campo and Dr. Gene Moon respectively, as well as an undergraduate teaching assistant for The Lumberjack Marching Band. Additionally, he studied conducting privately with Dr. Tamey Anglley and Dr. Chris Kaatz. Aside from his formal studies, Lion also served as the Flute Instructor for the SFA Music Preparatory Division and a camp counselor for the annual SFA Summer Band Camps. Concluding his studies at SFA, Lion student taught in Lewisville ISD under the mentorship of Michael Larkin, Jeff Bridges, and Kim Hawbaker-Cooley.

His professional organization affiliations include Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.

Savanna Hutcherson - Assistant Director, Duncanville High School

Savanna Hutcherson graduated from Colleyville Heritage High School as a National Merit Finalist in 2019. Ms. Hutcherson attended the University of North Texas as a Music Education Major with a trumpet concentration. At UNT, Ms. Hutcherson received the UNT Meritorious Scholarship as a National Merit Finalist. While at UNT, Ms. Hutcherson studied trumpet with Dr. Rachel Samayoa. Savanna performed with the Green Brigade, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. Ms. Hutcherson graduated summa cum laude (4.0 GPA) from UNT.

Ms. Hutcherson was a two year mellophone player with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps and is currently on tour serving on the visual staff with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. Savanna has been on visual staff at Plano East Senior High School and is an active drill designer.

Dylan Ryan - Assistant Director of Bands, Director of Percussion - Duncanville ISD

B.M.Ed. Texas Christian University

Dylan Ryan, Assistant Director, Director of Percussion

Dylan Ryan is in his third year in Duncanville ISD where he serves as the Director of Percussion for grades 6-12. 

Mr. Ryan attended Texas Christian University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in music education. During his time at TCU he was a member of the TCU Drumline, Percussion Orchestra, Steel Drum Band and the Wind Symphony. Mr. Ryan has also traveled the country performing with Drum Corps International. He was in the front ensemble for The Academy, Troopers, and The Santa Clara Vanguard where he won the Fred Sanford High Percussion Award. Outside of band and percussion, Mr. Ryan enjoys playing golf, traveling and spending time with his wife, Victoria.

Lorna Crowley- Head Director, Byrd Middle School
B.M.Ed. University of North Texas

Lorna Crowley, Head Director, Byrd Middle School

Mrs. Crowley is in her second year as Head Band Director at Byrd Middle School after serving five years as Assistant Director. Previously, Mrs. Crowley taught in Garland ISD for two years as an Elementary Music Teacher.

Mrs. Crowley attended the University of North Texas, where she studied bassoon under Kathleen Reynolds. While at UNT, she performed with the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Orchestra, Women’s Chorus, and the Green Brigade Marching Band. She was also a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, performing with the front ensemble in 2011 and 2012. The SCV percussion section was featured in a clinic at the 2011 Texas Bandmasters Association Convention and a clinic at the 2012 PASIC Convention.

Mrs. Crowley graduated from Duncanville High School in 2009.  While she was a student in DISD, she was in the Byrd Symphonic I Band from 2003-2005 and performed as a member of the 2004 Texas CCC Honor Band. In high school, she spent a year in the 9th Grade Band before performing with the Wind Ensemble for the remainder of her time at DHS. She was also a member of the 2008 Texas AAAAA Honor Band when the Duncanville Wind Ensemble won the title. In her junior year, Mrs. Crowley made the Texas All-State Concert Band and performed at the 2008 TMEA Convention. Mrs. Crowley marched in the Duncanville Marching Band all four years of high school, serving as one of the band’s drum majors her senior year. She was named “Outstanding Senior Girl” before graduating.

Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Delta Kappa Gamma. Mrs. Crowley lives in Dallas with her husband and rescue dog, Rusty.

Megan Foster Villanueva - Assistant Director, Byrd Middle School
B.M.Ed. Stephen F. Austin State University

Megan Foster Villanueva, Assistant Director, Byrd Middle School

Megan Foster is entering her second year as an assistant director at Byrd Middle School. She teaches beginner brass classes at Daniel Intermediate, is in charge of the Symphonic II ensemble at Byrd, and assists with the Symphonic I and Symphonic III bands. She also assists with the high school marching band.

Ms. Foster attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in music education. During her time at SFA she was a member of the Lumberjack Marching Band Mellophones, Trumpet Squad Leader, Orchestra Principal Horn, Roarin’ Buzzsaws Basketball Pep band Trumpet and a hornist in the Wind Ensemble. She studied Horn under Dr. Charles Gavin.

Ms. Foster graduated from Duncanville High School in 2016.  While she was a student in DISD, she was in the Byrd Symphonic I Band from 2010-2012. In high school, She performed with the Wind Ensemble for 3 years. Ms. Foster marched in the Duncanville Marching Band all four years of high school, serving as the band’s drum major, Vice-President and Band Sweetheart her senior year.

Her professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Tau Beta Sigma and Pi Kappa Lambda. 

Aaron Mincey- Assistant Director, Byrd Middle School
B.M.Ed. Texas Christian University

Aaron Mincey, Assistant Director, Byrd Middle School

Aaron Mincey is entering his 2nd year as an Assistant Band Director at Byrd Middle School. He will also teach beginning percussion classes at the intermediate level and assist with the Duncanville High School Band, as an Assistant Percussion Director.

Mr. Mincey attended TCU in Fort Worth, TX, where he studied under Dr. Brian West. While at TCU he performed with the Percussion Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Steel Band, and the TCU Marching Band. He was also a front ensemble member of both the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015 and the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle in 2019. The SCV percussion section was featured in a clinic at the 2019 PASIC convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mr. Mincey is an active freelance musician and occasionally performs in the DFW area. When he is not teaching or performing, he enjoys being outdoors, traveling, catching up with friends, and watching the latest Netflix series.

Professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Percussive Arts Society, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Ethan Henshaw - Head Director, Kennemer Middle School

B.M.Ed. & B.M. University of North Texas
M.M. University of North Texas

Ethan Henshaw, Head Director, Kennemer Middle School

Ethan Henshaw is in his first year as Head Band Director at Kennemer Middle School after serving six years as the assistant director.  His responsibilities include directing the Symphonic I band, teaching various beginner classes at Daniel Intermediate, and assisting with the Kennemer Symphonic II and III bands.  He is a native of Falls Church, Virginia.

Mr. Henshaw attended the University of North Texas and received Bachelor’s degrees in both music education and performance, as well as a Master’s degree in music performance.  He studied euphonium with Dr. Brian Bowman and performed with the North Texas Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and the Green Brigade Marching Band.  He can be heard as a soloist on multiple recordings with the North Texas Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band.

As a soloist, Mr. Henshaw was the winner of the 2009 Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Competition in the student euphonium division and was a semi-finalist in the artist division in 2010.  He is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association.

When he isn’t teaching, Mr. Henshaw enjoys traveling with his wife, Paula, a band director at Duncanville High School, and spoiling their two dogs and two cats.


Cesar Montelongo - Assistant Director, Kennemer
B.M.Ed. Stephen F. Austin State University

Cesar Montelongo - Assistant Director, Kennemer

Cesar Montelongo is in his fifth year as an assistant band director at Kennemer Middle School. He teaches beginner woodwind classes at Daniel Intermediate and the STEAM Academy, is the director of the Symphonic II ensemble, assists with the Symphonic I and III bands, and assists with the high school marching band in the fall. Mr. Montelongo has also taught beginner woodwind classes at Hardin Intermediate and Brandenburg Intermediate.

Mr. Montelongo graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2018, where he was the principal clarinetist of the Wind Ensemble, performed with the Orchestra of the Pines, and led the Lumberjack Marching Band as the drum major. During his time at SFA, Mr. Montelongo won the Concerto and Aria competition, allowing him to perform with the Orchestra of the Pines as a guest soloist. He has performed in New York, Chicago, and all over Texas. Mr. Montelongo is still an active performer with ensembles such as the Mansfield Wind Symphony (Mansfield, TX) and the East Texas Chamber Winds (Nacogdoches, TX). In the summer, Mr. Montelongo leads the military portion of the Stephen F. Austin State University Drum Major camp. He trains military drum majors, provides marching and conducting fundamentals/skills, and teaches the drum majors how to be effective communicators/leaders.

Professional affiliations for Mr. Montelongo include Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA).

When Mr. Montelongo has free time, he enjoys exercising, photography, going for walks, bike riding, playing video games, and hanging out with his cat, Oliver.

Sarah Chang - Assistant Director, Kennemer

B.M.Ed. & B.M. Texas A&M Commerce
M.M. University of Texas Arlington

Sarah Chang, Assistant Director, Kennemer Middle School

Ms. Sarah Chang comes to Duncanville ISD in her sixth year of teaching band and first year at the middle school level as the assistant band director at Kennemer Middle School. Ms. Chang will be teaching the Kennemer Symphonic III band, assist the Symphonic II and Symphonic I band, serve all flute students of Duncanville ISD, and will be assisting with the Duncanville High School Colorguard Program. Ms. Chang previously taught in Birdville ISD as the assistant band director at Birdville High School where she directed the Concert Band and the Colorguard Program.

Born and raised in McAllen, Texas, Ms. Chang began her studies as a music education major at The University of Texas Pan-American (now named University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) before transferring to Texas A&M University Commerce to complete her Bachelor’s in Music Education. Soon after, Ms. Chang began her Master’s in Flute Performance at the University of Texas at Arlington. In her Master’s studies, Ms. Chang has performed with various ensembles at nationally recognized conventions and events. Performances include the University of Texas Arlington Wind Symphony at the College Band Director’s National Association Convention in Boulder, CO; University of Texas Arlington Flute Studio performance at the National Flute Association convention; alto flute soloist with the University of Texas Arlington Flute studio featuring Eve Beglarian’s, “Not to Be Sad in This World” for alto flute and electronics. Professors during her studies include Dr. Malcolm Coleman, Mrs. Jocelyn Goranson, Dr. Julee Kim Walker, and Dr. Terri Sanchez.

Ms. Chang has years of experience performing and teaching cologuard throughout her music studies. She has marched the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps in 2011 as a colorguard member as well as various Winterguard organizations such as CGT Dallas. Programs she has worked for include North Mesquite, Legacy Christian Academy, Mansfield, Allen, Edinburg Economedes, and Birdville. In her previous place of work, Ms. Chang has received various awards with the Birdville High School Winterguard including Scholastic A silver medal with the Varsity Winterguard in 2018 and Regional A bronze medal in 2021.

Professional affiliations include Texas Music Educator’s Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, and North Texas Colorguard Association.

When she’s not working, Ms. Chang enjoys spending her time with her three cats Leena, Luna, and Remus, giving her two Blue Heelers Tucker and Terra time to play with their dog park friends, exercising every so often, trying new foods and restaurants, and watching documentaries with her boyfriend, James, in Euless, Tx.

Eduardo Garcia, Jr. - Head Director, Reed Middle School

B.M. University of Texas 2018
M.A. Sam Houston State University 2023

Eduardo Garcia Jr is in his fifth year of teaching and is in his first year as the Head Band Director at Reed Middle School and Brandenburg Intermediate. At Reed, he serves as the director for the Symphonic 1 class and co-teaches the Symphonic 2 and 3 classes. At Brandenburg Intermediate, he is responsible for the flute, clarinet, saxophone, and double reed classes. This year, he will serve as the North Texas Region Representative for the Young Band Directors of Texas.

Prior to Reed Middle School, Mr. Garcia taught at Spillane Middle School in Cy-Fair ISD. At Spillane, he was responsible for the Concert Winds class, as well as the beginning trombone, double reed, and clarinet class. His Concert Winds ensemble was a consistent received Sweepstakes at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation, First Division and Best in Class award in 2022, and numerous first divisions in the CFISD Solo and ensemble contests. He also served at the East Region Representative for the Young Band Directors of Texas since 2018.

Mr. Garcia earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas in 2018. During his time at UT, he was 4-year member of the Longhorn Band and Longhorn Pep Band, a member of the UT Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Symphony Band, served as Vice-President of Music in the Fine Arts Council, and taught private lessons in the greater Austin area. He is currently working on a Master’s degree in Band Studies at Sam Houston State University.

When not teaching, Mr. Garcia is active in his Yoga practice, traveling to new places, attending concerts, support UT sports and spending time with family and friends.

Mr. Garcia’s professional affiliations include Young Band Directors of Texas, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association.

Jimmy Voravongsy - Assistant Director, Reed Middle School

Mr. Voravongsy is an alumnus of Duncanville ISD where he attended all his public-school education. After graduating from Duncanville High School in 2015, he earned his Bachelor imageof Music at the University of Texas at Arlington with a certificate in education.  

During his time at UTA, Mr. Voravongsy performed with the UTA Symphonic Winds, Wind Symphony, Jazz Lab Band, Maverick Marching Band, and was an active member of the Delta Sigma chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. Mr. Voravongsy also served as a marching band tech for the Duncanville High School, and as a private lesson teacher around the DFW. Once Mr. Voravongsy earned his degree in 2020, he served as a substitute teacher in Duncanville ISD and Mansfield ISD for one year. Following his service as a substitute teacher, he became the music teacher at Daniel Intermediate in Duncanville ISD for the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Voravongsy is starting his first year as an assistant band director at Reed Middle School for the 2022-2023 school.  

He is very excited to be working in his home district, and to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has raised, loved, and supported him throughout his life.  

Christian Canales - Assistant Director, Reed Middle School

B.M. Jazz Studies - University of Texas Arlington
M.M. Ed. University of Texas Arlington

Christian Canales - Assistant Director, Reed Middle School

Christian Canales is an assistant director at Reed Middle School and Hardin Intermediate.  He co-directs Symphonic II and III with Mr. Voravongsy at Reed and co-directs the beginner band with Ms. Chang at Hardin. Additionally, he also assists with the high school marching band.

Mr. Canales attended the University of Texas at Arlington. During his time at UTA, he was part of the Maverick Marching Band, a Trombone Section Leader, played and directed the Mavbrass Basketball Pep Band, and sat in the lead, solo, 3rd, and bass chairs in the UTA Jazz Orchestra. With the Jazz Orchestra, Mr. Canales attended two Jazz Youth Exchanges where he performed and mentored high school and middle school students at the ‘Iolani School in Honolulu, Hawai’i. He studied bass trombone under Dennis Bubert of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and jazz trombone under Ryan Haines.

Mr. Canales graduated from Duncanville High School in 2011.  While he was a student, he performed at the TMEA Convention in 2009 with the 2008 AAAAA Honor Band Duncanville Wind Ensemble won the title the year before. At the same time, his brother Jordan Canales (Band Director in Keller ISD) was part of the Texas CCC Honor Band while at Byrd Middle School. Mr. Canales marched in the Duncanville Marching Band all four years and served as one of the band’s drum majors his senior year.  He also was part of the Duncanville Jazz Band and played bass trombone and bass guitar.

Mr. Canales also performs regularly with the Mansfield Philharmonic and with the Latin Express Band.  He enjoys playing video games, watching anime, running, and supporting all the local Dallas sports teams.

Professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association.