UT Tyler School of Performing Arts

We want to connect, engage and celebrate our UT Tyler Alumni. As an alum, you may have recently moved to a new town, changed email addresses, received a job promotion or have some exciting news to share about an important milestone in your life. We want to hear from you! It only takes a moment to update your contact information and helps to ensure that you receive the latest news, exciting updates, invitations to events and more from the University of Texas at Tyler.

UT Tyler music alumni are making their mark in the world!

Lily Cahal
Assistant Band Director, Frankston ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2024

Shaylee Watson
Kindergarten Teacher, Chandler ISD
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2023

Andrea Harris
Assistant Band Director, Van ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2021

Brittney Baxter
Elementary Teacher, Joe White Elementary, Jacksonville
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2020

Giant Boykin
Development Support Coordinator, University of North Texas
B.Mus. Saxophone Performance, 2020
Masters in Interdisciplinary and Jazz Studies, University of North Texas, 2022

Kyle Bennett
Assistant Band Director, Tyler High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2019

Daniel Gonzalez
Assistant Band Director, Boulter Middle School
Assistant Bander Director, Tyler High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2019

Troy Lowndes
Elementary Music Teacher, Huntington ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2019

Blake Starkey
1st Marine Division Band
B.Mus. French Horn Performance, 2019
Naval School of Music, 2020

Caleb Youngblood
Communications Associate, Wells Fargo
Patriot Singers, 2015-2018
B.A. Mass Communication, 2019

Kelton Ashcraft
Director of Bands, Mildred ISD
Assistant Band Director, St. Augustine ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018

Chris Ferguson
Music Teacher, South Ward Elementary, Longview ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
 
Chris Garcia
Elementary Music Teacher, Rosebud-Lott ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018

Willie Hadnot
Minister of Music, Heritage Baptist Church, Annapolis, MD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018

Juliana Statile
Elementary Music Teacher, W.A. Peete Elementary, Tyler ISD
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2018
M.M. Vocal Performance, Texas Tech University, 2023

Jaylon Stewart
Associate Junior High Band Director and 6th Grade Coordinator, Lindale, ISD
Band Director, Chapel Hill Junior High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
M.Ed. Educational Leadership, 2020

Blake Sykes
Assistant Band Director, Robinson High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018

Kylee Watson
School Counselor, Early Childhood Center, Lindale ISD
Music Teacher, Owens Elementary, Tyler ISD
Music Teacher, East Side Elementary, Jacksonville ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
M.Ed. School Counseling, Angelo State University, 2024

Kailee Weaver
Assistant Band Director, Troup ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018

Sydney Anderson
Elementary Teacher, Good Shepherd School, Tyler
B.A. Music, 2017

Jared Garen
Band Director, Dew ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2017

Ricardo Rodriguez
Music Teacher, Ramey Elementary
Assistant Band Director, Jacksonville ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2017
Masters of Education student, UT Tyler

LePatrick Thomas
Music Teacher, Ramey Elementary, Tyler ISD
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2017

Eric Ware
Head Wrestling Coach, Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School, Tyler
B.Mus. Composition, 2017


Cody Jamison
Head Band Director, Brazos High School, Wallis
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2016

Paula Kincaid
Assistant Professor of Management, The University of Texas at Tyler
Patriot Singers 2014-2016
B.A. Finance, Magna Cum Laude, 2016
Master of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, 2017
PhD in Management, University of North Texas, 2023

Justin Forward
Cast: Book of Mormon Musical (touring), Waitress (touring)
Vocal performance student 2014-2016

Ali Perry
Registered Nurse, Christus Trinity Mother Frances
University Chorale, Patriot Singers, 2013-2015
B.S. Nursing, 2016


Austin Shrader
Band Director, The Winston School, Dallas
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2016


Janna Kahler White
Music Director, Stoneybrooke Christian School, San Juan Capistrano
Music Teacher, Peet Elementary, Tyler
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2016


Sarah Bausinger
Assistant Band Director, Stafford Middle School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2015


Samantha Clendenny
Assistant Band Director, Bullard Middle School and High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2015

Riley McDaniel
B.Mus. Vocal Performance and B.A. English Language & Literature, 2015
Masters student in Publishing, Pace University

Michael Olson
Worship Team, Longview Metro Church
B.A. Music, 2015

Robert Allen
Choral Music Teacher, Fort Worth ISD
Adjunct Professor of Music, Tarrant County College
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2014
Masters of Arts in Music, Texas Women's University, 2016

Danielle Benitez
Private Voice Studio, Tyler
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2014

Luke Garrigus
Owner/Producer/Audio Engineer/Guitar, Blackroom Studios, Georgetown
B.A. Music, 2014

Kait Grogan
Music Teacher, Mount Auburn Elementary, Dallas ISD
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2014

Brittany McKissack
Music Teacher, Miller Elementary, Plano ISD
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2014

Kurt White
Guitar, leader singer, "All We Are"
Worship Pastor, Grace Fellowship Church, Flint
B.A. Music, 2014

Austin Dittrich
Physician Assistant Certified, USMD Hospital, Arlington
Patriot Singers, 2009-2013
B.S. Biology/Premed, 2013
Master of Physician Assistant Studies, UT Medical Branch, 2019

Kenny Kitts
Pilot, Aperture Aviation
Patriot Singers, Concert Chorale, 2011-2013
B.A. Management, 2013

Ian Lyra
Head Choir Director, South Houston High School
Assistant Choir Director, Bestiro Middle School, Lopez High School, Brownsville ISD
MAIS, 2013
Master of Music, North Dakota State University, 2014

Preston Parker
Head Band Director, Overton ISD
Assistant Band Director, Jacksonville High School
B.Mus. Composition/Music Education, 2013
Masters student in Music Composition/Theory, Stephen F. Austin State University

Randa Parker
Music Teacher, West Rusk County Elementary
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2013

Brenda Seiden
Music Teacher, Winona ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2013

Megan Stewart
Music Teacher, Bridge City Elementary
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2013

Seth Thomas
Private Piano Studio, McKinney
B.Mus. Piano Performance, 2013
Masters in Piano Performance, Cleveland State University

Cody Walton
Piano Teacher, Matt Burk Music Studio, Allen, Texas
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2013

Susie Carter-Allen
Director of Bands, Palestine High School
Head Junior High Band Director, Palestine ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2012

Lance Byers
Assistant Band Director, Crockett ISD
B.A Music, 2012

Andria Friday
Assistant Band Director, Elementary Music Teacher, and Percussion Instructor, Leverett's Chapel ISD
B.Mus. Percussion Performance, 2012

Courtney Lux Cain
Children's Music Assistant, Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2012

Elizabeth Niedrauer
Medical NCO, Army National Guard
B.Mus. Piano Pedagogy, 2012
Master of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2020

Matt Stewart
Senior Software Engineer, Mainstream Technologies, Little Rock
Patriot Singers, 2008-2012
B.S. Computer Information Systems, 2012

Keelyn Swoape
Associate Director of Student Ministries, Marvin United Methodist Church, Tyler
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2012

Stephanie Freeman Horn
7th Grade Mathematics Teacher, Dogan Middle School, Tyler ISD
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2011

Cassie Keys
Director of Fine Arts, Choir Director, Athens Christian Preparatory Academy
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2011

Joshua K. Brown
Minister of Music, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Greenwood, Colorado
Artistic Director, Out Loud: Colorado Springs Men's Chorus
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2010
Master of Music, Texas State University, 2012

Dannea Guess
Music Teacher, Cedar Valley Elementary, Killeen ISD
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2010

Stephanie Kingsley
Private Piano Studio, Tyler
B.Mus. Piano Pedagogy, 2010

Will Ross
Director of Bands, Winona Middle School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2010

Chaundra Dantin
Former Choir Director, Palestine ISD
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2009

Chance James
Band Director, White Oak High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2009

Lauren Fletcher Kendrick
Band Director, Lindale Junior High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2009

Paul Martin
Director of Bands, Lake County Christian School, Ft. Worth
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2009

Martin McKown
Vice President, Compliance at BNY Mellon
Adjuct Professor School of Law, Duquesne University
Patriot Singers, 2006-2009
B.S. Political Science, 2009
J.D. Duquesne University Law School, 2015

Shayla Skief
Band Director, Westwood Junior High
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2009

Clay Garrett
Independent performing artist
B.Mus. Tuba Performance, 2008
Master of Music, Baylor University
Doctor of Musical Arts, University of North Texas

Elise Leung
Soprano, Founding Member, One Ounce Opera, Austin
Teacher of Voice, Piano and Musicianship, Orpheus Academy of Music, Austin
B.Mus. Vocal Performance, 2008
Master of Music, Texas State University

Donnie Barrier
Band Director, Jacksonville High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2007

Michael Barron
Director of Bands, Mildred ISD
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2007

Jonathan Blount
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Private music studio, Monroe, Louisiana
B.Mus. Composition, 2007
Master of Divinity, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2016

Scott Smith
Assistant Band Director, Whitehouse High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2007


Charles Williams
Choir Director, Rivera High School, Brownsville ISD
Masters Student, 2007


Linda Heatly
Vocalist, East Texas Jazz Orchestra
Private Voice and Piano Studio, Tyler; Accompanist, Faith Community Church, Tyler
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, Piano minor, 2006

Kevin Ogilvie
Music Teacher, Jones Elementary, Tyler ISD
MAIS, 2006

Vanessa Chisler
Private Piano Studio, Lindale
B.A Music History emphasis, 2005

Clint Kelley
Music Instructor Pre K-12, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Muenster, Texas
Music Instructor Pre K-12, ST. Mary's Catholic School, Gainesville, Texas
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2005

Jessica Ogilvie
Flute Instructor, Kilgore College
B.Mus. Flute Performance, 2005
Masters of Music in Flute Performance, University North Texas

Micah Cooper
Fine Arts Teacher, Bowie Elementary, Corsicana ISD
Former Teacher, Kigali International Community School, Rwanda
B.Mus. Piano Performance, 2004
Master of Music, Piano Pedagogy, 2007, Texas Christian University

Miranda Newman
Music Teacher, Wildwood Christian Academy, Magnolia, Texas
Private Voice Studio, Magnolia, Texas
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2003
Master of Music, Vocal Performance, Southern Methodist University, 2006

Christian Reed
Principal, Scurry-Rosser High School
Former, Choral Director, Mabank ISD, 2003-2011
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2002
Master of Education, Stephen F. Austin

Blake Smith
Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera Theatre, University Delaware
B.Mus. Vocal Music Performance, 2002
Master of Music, Texas Tech University
Doctor of Musical Arts, Texas Tech University

Grady Haffner
Band Director, West Rusk High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2001

Leah Brown
Choir/Theater Teacher, Cumberland Academy High School, Tyler
B.Mus. Piano, 2000


Jason Steele
Band Director, White Oak High School
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2000

Fred Boyce
Owner, Southlake Music Academy
Jazz Ensemble and Drumline Director, Fellowship Academy, Kennedale
B.Mus. Percussion Performance, 1998

Sheri Grisham Boyce
Director and Piano Faculty, Southlake Music Academy
B.F.A. Piano Performance, 1997
Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy, Baylor University, 2000

Mark Crim
Director of Bands, East Texas Baptist University
Director of Music Ministries, First United Methodist Church, Marshall
Music Director, Longview Area Youth Orchestras
B.Mus. Music Education, 1997
Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting, Stephen F. Austin State University

Rommel Cordova
Band Director, Hernond Intermediate School, Royse City ISD
B.F.A. Music Education, 1996
Master of Music in Tuba Performance, Texas A&M Commerce, 2000

Jerry Page
Choral Director, Robert E. Lee High School, Tyler ISD
B.F.A. Music Education, 1995

Rex McCullough
AP Government, AP & Pre-AP World History Teacher, Hallsville High School
Choir Director, Hallsville High School (1998-2004)
Choir Director, Jacksonville Junior High School (1995-1998)
B.F.A. Music Eduction, 1992

Kelli Cooper
Adjunct Faculty, Tyler Junior College, 1996-2014
Private Piano Studio, Houston
B.F.A. Piano, 1991
Masters of Music Education in Piano Pedagogy, University of Oklahoma, 1994

Betty Reavis
Elementary classroom teacher to 2007
Former voice, piano, music teacher and accompanist
B.F.A. Vocal Performance, 1987

Joe Waldrop
Head of Visual & Performing Arts Department, Wharton County Junior College 
Band Director and Music Instructor, Wharton County Junior College
B.F.A. Music, 1984
Masters of Music in Performance & Theory, Southwest Texas State University, 1995

Johnny Ray
Lower School Middle Teacher, Intermediate School Choir Director, All-Saints Episcopal School, Tyler
35 years teaching in Tyler ISD
B.A. Music, 1976

Jerry Hogue
Private Instructor, Cantabile School of Music, San Antonio
Music Director, County Line Community Band of Atascosa County, Texas
Co-founder, Tyler Municipal Band, 1975
Retired band director, 33 years in public and private schools
B.A. Music, 1975
MAIS in Music, 1980