Our Alumni
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!
Shaylee Watson
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2023
Kindergarten Teacher, Chandler ISD
Andrea Harris
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2021
Assistant Band Director, Van ISD
Brittney Baxter
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2020
Elementary Teacher, Joe White Elementary, Jacksonville
Giant Boykin
B.Mus. Saxophone Performance, 2020
Masters degree student in Jazz Studies, University of North Texas
Kyle Bennett
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2019
Assistant Band Director, Tyler High School
Daniel Gonzalez
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2019
Assistant Band Director, Boulter Middle School
Assistant Bander Director, Tyler High School
Troy Lowndes
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2019
Elementary Music Teacher, Huntington ISD
Blake Starkey
B.Mus. French Horn Performance, 2019
Naval School of Music, 2020
1st Marine Division Band
Caleb Youngblood
Patriot Singers, 2015-2018
B.A. Mass Communication, 2019
Digital Design Teacher, South Rowan High School, North Carolina
Kelton Ashcraft
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
Director of Bands, Mildred ISD
Assistant Band Director, St. Augustine ISD
Chris Ferguson
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
Music Teacher, South Ward Elementary, Longview ISD
Chris Garcia
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
Elementary Music Teacher, Rosebud-Lott ISD
Willie Hadnot
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
Minister of Music, Heritage Baptist Church, Annapolis, MD
Juliana Statile
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2018
Elementary Music Teacher, W.A. Peete Elementary, Tyler ISD
Jaylon Stewart
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
M.Ed. Educational Leadership, 2020
Band Director, Chapel Hill Junior High School
Blake Sykes
B.Mus. Instrurmental Music Education, 2018
Assistant Band Director, Robinson High School
Kylee Watson
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
Music Teacher, Owens Elementary, Tyler ISD
Music Teacher, East Side Elementary, Jacksonville ISD
Kailee Weaver
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2018
Assistant Band Director, Troup ISD
Sydney Anderson
B.A. Music, 2017
Elementary Teacher, Good Shepherd School, Tyler
Jared Garen
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2017
Band Director, Dew ISD
Ricardo Rodriguez
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2017
Masters of Education student, UT Tyler
Music Teacher, Ramey Elementary
Assistant Band Director, Jacksonville ISD
LePatrick Thomas
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2017
Music Teacher, Ramey Elementary, Tyler ISD
Eric Ware
B.Mus. Composition, 2017
Head Wrestling Coach, Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School, Tyler
Cody Jamison
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2016
Head Band Director, Brazos High School, Wallis
Paula Kincaid
Patriot Singers 2014-2016
B.A. Finance, 2016
Master of Business Administration, 2017
PhD student in Business Management, University of North Texas
Justin Forward
Vocal performance student 2014-2016
Cast: Book of Mormon Musical (touring), Waitress (touring)
Ali Perry
University Chorale, Patriot Singers, 2013-2015
B.S. Nursing, 2016
Registered Nurse, Christus Trinity Mother Frances
Austin Shrader
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2016
Band Director, The Winston School, Dallas
Janna Kahler White
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2016
Music Director, Stoneybrooke Christian School, San Juan Capistrano
Music Teacher, Peet Elementary, Tyler
Sarah Bausinger
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2015
Assistant Band Director, Stafford Middle School
Samantha Clendenny
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2015
Assistant Band Director, Bullard Middle School and High School
Riley McDaniel
B.Mus. Vocal Performance and B.A. English Language & Literature, 2015
Masters student in Publishing, Pace University
Michael Olson
B.A. Music, 2015
Worship Team, Longview Metro Church
Sarah Smith
MAIS studies 2015
Choir Director, Athens Middle School
Robert Allen
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2014
Masters of Arts in Music, Texas Women's University, 2016
Choral Music Teacher, Fort Worth ISD
Adjunct Professor of Music, Tarrant County College
Danielle Benitez
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2014
Private Voice Studio, Tyler
Luke Garrigus
B.A. Music, 2014
Owner/Producer/Audio Engineer/Guitar, Blackroom Studios, Georgetown
Kait Grogan
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2014
Music Teacher, Mount Auburn Elementary, Dallas ISD
Brittany McKissack
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2014
Music Teacher, Miller Elementary, Plano ISD
Kurt White
B.A. Music, 2014
Guitar, leader singer, "All We Are"
Worship Pastor, Grace Fellowship Church, Flint
Austin Dittrich
Patriot Singers, 2009-2013
B.S. Biology/Premed, 2013
Master of Physician Assistant Studies, UT Medical Branch, 2019
Physician Assistant Certified, USMD Hospital, Arlington
Kenny Kitts
Patriot Singers, Concert Chorale, 2011-2013
B.A. Management, 2013
Pilot, Aperture Aviation
Ian Lyra
MAIS, 2013
Master of Music, North Dakota State University, 2014
Head Choir Director, South Houston High School
Assistant Choir Director, Bestiro Middle School, Lopez High School, Brownsville ISD
Preston Parker
B.Mus. Composition/Music Education, 2013
Masters student in Music Composition/Theory, Stephen F. Austin State University
Assistant Band Director, Jacksonville High School
Randa Parker
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2013
Music Teacher, West Rusk County Elementary
Brenda Seiden
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2013
Music Teacher, Winona ISD
Megan Stewart
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2013
Music Teacher, Bridge City Elementary
Seth Thomas
B.Mus. Piano Performance, 2013
Masters in Piano Performance, Cleveland State University
Private Piano Studio, McKinney
Cody Walton
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2013
Piano Teacher, Matt Burk Music Studio, Allen, Texas
Lance Byers
B.A Music, 2012
Assistant Band Director, Crockett ISD
Andria Friday
B.Mus. Percussion Performance, 2012
Assistant Band Director, Elementary Music Teacher, and Percussion Instructor, Leverett's
Chapel ISD
Courtney Lux Cain
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2012
Children's Music Assistant, Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler
Elizabeth Niedrauer
B.Mus. Piano Pedagogy, 2012
Master of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2020
Medical NCO, Army National Guard
Matt Stewart
Patriot Singers, 2008-2012
B.S. Computer Information Systems, 2012
Senior Software Engineer, Mainstream Technologies, Little Rock
Keelyn Swoape
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2012
Associate Director of Student Ministries, Marvin United Methodist Church, Tyler
Stephanie Freeman Horn
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2011
7th Grade Mathematics Teacher, Dogan Middle School, Tyler ISD
Cassie Keys
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2011
Director of Fine Arts, Choir Director, Athens Christian Preparatory Academy
Joshua K. Brown
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2010
Master of Music, Texas State University, 2012
Minister of Music, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Greenwood, Colorado
Artistic Director, Out Loud: Colorado Springs Men's Chorus
Dannea Guess
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2010
Music Teacher, Cedar Valley Elementary, Killeen ISD
Stephanie Kingsley
B.Mus. Piano Pedagogy, 2010
Private Piano Studio, Tyler
Will Ross
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2010
Director of Bands, Winona Middle School
Chaundra Dantin
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2009
Former Choir Director, Palestine ISD
Chance James
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2009
Band Director, White Oak High School
Lauren Fletcher Kendrick
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2009
Band Director, Lindale Junior High School
Paul Martin
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2009
Director of Bands, Lake County Christian School, Ft. Worth
Martin McKown
Patriot Singers, 2006-2009
B.S. Political Science, 2009
J.D. Duquesne University Law School, 2015
Vice President, Compliance at BNY Mellon
Adjuct Professor School of Law, Duquesne University
Shayla Skief
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2009
Band Director, Westwood Junior High
Clay Garrett
B.Mus. Tuba Performance, 2008
Master of Music, Baylor University
Doctor of Musical Arts, University of North Texas
Independent performing artist
Elise Leung
B.Mus. Vocal Performance, 2008
Master of Music, Texas State University
Soprano, Founding Member, One Ounce Opera, Austin
Teacher of Voice, Piano and Musicianship, Orpheus Academy of Music, Austin
Donnie Barrier
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2007
Band Director, Jacksonville High School
Michael Barron
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2007
Director of Bands, Mildred ISD
Jonathan Blount
B.Mus. Composition, 2007
Master of Divinity, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2016
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Private music studio, Monroe, Louisiana
Scott Smith
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2007
Assistant Band Director, Whitehouse High School
Charles Williams
Masters Student, 2007
Choir Director, Rivera High School, Brownsville ISD
Linda Heatly
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, Piano minor, 2006
Vocalist, East Texas Jazz Orchestra
Private Voice and Piano Studio, Tyler; Accompanist, Faith Community Church, Tyler
Kevin Ogilvie
MAIS, 2006
Music Teacher, Jones Elementary, Tyler ISD
Vanessa Chisler
B.A Music History emphasis, 2005
Private Piano Studio, Lindale
Clint Kelley
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2005
Music Instructor Pre K-12, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Muenster, Texas
Music Instructor Pre K-12, ST. Mary's Catholic School, Gainesville, Texas
Jessica Ogilvie
B.Mus. Flute Performance, 2005
Masters of Music in Flute Performance, University North Texas
Flute Instructor, Kilgore College
Micah Cooper
B.Mus. Piano Performance, 2004
Master of Music, Piano Pedagogy, 2007, Texas Christian University
Fine Arts Teacher, Bowie Elementary, Corsicana ISD
Former Teacher, Kigali International Community School, Rwanda
Miranda Newman
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2003
Master of Music, Vocal Performance, Southern Methodist University, 2006
Music Teacher, Wildwood Christian Academy, Magnolia, Texas
Private Voice Studio, Magnolia, Texas
Christian Reed
B.Mus. Vocal Music Education, 2002
Master of Education, Stephen F. Austin
Principal, Scurry-Rosser High School
Former, Choral Director, Mabank ISD, 2003-2011
Blake Smith
B.Mus. Vocal Music Performance, 2002
Master of Music, Texas Tech University
Doctor of Musical Arts, Texas Tech University
Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera Theatre, University Delaware
Grady Haffner
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2001
Band Director, West Rusk High School
Leah Brown
B.Mus. Piano, 2000
Choir/Theater Teacher, Cumberland Academy High School, Tyler
Jason Steele
B.Mus. Instrumental Music Education, 2000
Band Director, White Oak High School
Fred Boyce
B.Mus. Percussion Performance, 1998
Owner, Southlake Music Academy
Jazz Ensemble and Drumline Director, Fellowship Academy, Kennedale
Sheri Grisham Boyce
B.F.A. Piano Performance, 1997
Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy, Baylor University, 2000
Director and Piano Faculty, Southlake Music Academy
Mark Crim
B.Mus. Music Education, 1997
Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting, Stephen F. Austin State University
Director of Bands, East Texas Baptist University
Director of Music Ministries, First United Methodist Church, Marshall
Music Director, Longview Area Youth Orchestras
Rommel Cordova
B.F.A. Music Education, 1996
Master of Music in Tuba Performance, Texas A&M Commerce, 2000
Band Director, Hernond Intermediate School, Royse City ISD
Jerry Page
B.F.A. Music Education, 1995
Choral Director, Robert E. Lee High School, Tyler ISD
Rex McCullough
B.F.A. Music Eduction, 1992
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)
Kelli Cooper
B.F.A. Piano, 1991
Masters of Music Education in Piano Pedagogy, University of Oklahoma, 1994
Adjunct Faculty, Tyler Junior College, 1996-2014
Private Piano Studio, Houston
Betty Reavis
B.F.A. Vocal Performance, 1987
Elementary classroom teacher to 2007
Former voice, piano, music teacher and accompanist
Joe Waldrop
B.F.A. Music, 1984
Masters of Music in Performance & Theory, Southwest Texas State University, 1995
Head of Visual & Performing Arts Department, Wharton County Junior College
Band Director and Music Instructor, Wharton County Junior College
Johnny Ray
B.A. Music, 1976
Lower School Middle Teacher, Intermediate School Choir Director, All-Saints Episcopal
School, Tyler
35 years teaching in Tyler ISD
Jerry Hogue
B.A. Music, 1975
MAIS in Music, 1980
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