Amarillo ISD Band Program

The Amarillo Independent School District proudly supports an outstanding band program that strives for excellence in every performance and serves our community as musical ambassadors throughout the nation.

Our middle schools offer band in homogenous classes beginning in the sixth grade. Students are placed in an advanced band as seventh and eighth graders where they continue to develop fundamentals presented in the sixth grade. Students at this level will also participate in concerts, UIL  contests, and the Greater Southwest Music Festival.  The high school bands offer multiple opportunities for students to continue to develop into outstanding musicians. Literally thousands of people will see and hear the Amarillo, Caprock, Palo Duro and Tascosa High School bands in marching performances during the football season, at parades, and  UIL competitions. High school musicians will also participate in the TMEA All-State audition and the UIL  Solo and Ensemble contests.

High School Band Programs

Amarillo High School

• Robert Hinds, Band Director
• Scott Myers, Associate Band Director
• Dakota Lancaster, Associate Band Director

Caprock High School

• Alisha Granados, Band Director
• Neil Barbaro, Associate Band Director
   

Palo Duro High School

• Ismael Alfaro, Band Director
• Spencer Crawford, Associate Band Director
   

Tascosa High School

• Justin Nuckols, Band Director
• David Spence, Associate Band Director
• Chase Cunningham, Cluster Percussion Specialist

Amarillo ISD Choir Program

The goal of Amarillo ISD Choral Music is to develop life-long skills through participation and performance in choir. Choral music offer opportunities in self-expression, discipline, work ethic, social networking, team-building, and creativity. AISD choirs share a long tradition of choral excellence and are respected throughout the state and across the nation.

High School Choir Programs

Amarillo High School

• Bryan Hackett, Choir Director
• Sauncy Reddick, Assistant Choir Director
   

Caprock High School

• Andrea Cruz, Choir Director
• Makayla Smith, Assistant Choir Director
   

Palo Duro High School

• Caisey Fowler, Choir Director
   

Tascosa High School

• Tiffany Russell, Choir Director
• Clayton Martin, Assistant Choir Director

Amarillo ISD Dance Program

Amarillo ISD Dance Program focuses on the development and awareness of body movement, anatomy, and fitness while participating in a variety of dance styles. By mastering movement principles and skills, students develop self-discipline, improved concentration, better posture, strength, flexibility, and all-around healthy bodies that move expressively, efficiently, and safely through space and time with controlled energy. Students will also learn the cultural and historical context of dance as a creative and expressive art form.

Each AISD High School has a competitive dance team that performs and entertains at campus and athletic events, including half-time shows during the football season and campus pep rallies. Dance teams also perform at concerts and dance competitions, both local and state. Participation in AISD dance teams is by tryouts in the spring, including a commitment to summer camp, activities, and competitions during the school year.
 

High School Dance Teachers/Team Directors

Amarillo High (Golden Sandie Steppers Dance Team)

• Kaylee Morrison

Caprock High (Caprockettes Dance Team)

• Erika Castanon

Palo Duro High (Diamonds Dance Team)

• Erik Prospero

Tascosa High (Belles Drill Team)

• Brooke Adams
• Deborah Plunk (Team Director)

Middle School Dance Teacher

• Sam Houston Middle School Dance Program: Candice Teichelman

Amarillo ISD High School Speech & Debate Program

Amarillo ISD High School Speech & Debate offers students a competitive program that develops many skills used in other academic areas as well as communication skills that prepare them for future pursuits. Some of the important skills developed in speech and debate include research and organizational skills, critical thinking, persuasive speaking, clarity of thought, and confidence in expressing ideas through oral and written communication. The culmination of classroom preparation in speech and debate is the opportunity to participate in competitive tournaments, workshops, showcases, and UIL events.
 

High School Courses in Speech & Debate

Dual Credit Public Speaking (AHS, CHS, PDHS, THS)
In Dual Credit Public Speaking, students examine various types of public speaking and the techniques used in effective communication. Students will work on active listening, research methods, effective writing techniques, and communication skills meant to inform, entertain, and persuade. Students will compose and present original speeches as well as evaluate those by peers and professionals.
 

Debate (AHS, CHS, THS)
Debate introduces students to the four levels of competition: Cross Examination, Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, and Student Congress. Through analysis and research, students learn to objectively evaluate and support both sides of various current issues. Debate also exposes students to Original Oratory and Extemporaneous Speaking.
 

Oral Interpretation (AHS, THS)
Oral Interpretation introduces students to the performance of literature through Humorous and Dramatic Interpretation, Prose and Poetry Interpretation, Duet Acting, and Duo Interpretation. Through characterization, interpretation, and performance, students learn to relate literature to an audience.

Note: Professional Communication is the entry-level course required for graduation and is part of the Career & Technology Department. Dual Credit Public Speaking also fulfills the graduation requirement.
 

Amarillo ISD High School Speech & Debate Teachers/Coaches

Amarillo High School

• Mellessa Denny
• Jacob Dawson
   

Caprock High School

• Andy Zeigler
   

Palo Duro High School

• Claire Davis
   

Tascosa High School

• Ryan Lovell
• Heather Goheen-Soltero

Amarillo ISD Theatre Arts Program

Amarillo ISD Theatre Arts offers a spiraling program of study that focuses on the development of the voice, body, and mind as communication tools. Performance opportunities for actors and technicians is an important part of the curriculum. Growth in creative expression, empathy, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, language skills, memorization, and social/emotional development are important benefits of a production theatre experience.

In technical theatre, students analyze literature to design and build theatre elements such as sets, scenery, costumes, makeup, lighting, and sound. Advanced technical theatre students learn to use highly specialized equipment for lighting and sound controls.

AISD thespians shine often in the Amarillo spotlight through campus performances, play festivals, and UIL One-Act Play competitions.
 

Amarillo High School

• Alexandra Easterling - Director
• Matthew Prather – Technical Director
   

Caprock High School

• Kelsey Landry - Director
• Michael Stafford – Technical Director
   

Palo Duro High School

• Shannon Mashburn – Director
• Michael Stafford – Technical Director
   

Tascosa High School

• Jacqueline Collom – Director
• Matthew Prather – Technical Director

Amarillo ISD Visual Art Program

Amarillo ISD offers secondary students a visual art program that promotes creative thinking and critical problem solving, nurtures artistic and observational skills, promotes art appreciation and content knowledge, reinforces core curriculum, and provides an avenue for imaginative self-expression.

Visual art courses begin in middle school and continue through high school with advanced courses in Drawing, Painting, Digital Art, Photography, Ceramics, Jewelry, as well as AP and IB Studio Art. AISD art students participate in numerous area and state competitions including the TAEA Visual Arts Scholastic Event at the middle school, high school, and state levels; and the Texas Panhandle Student Art Show hosted by the Amarillo Museum of Art.

Amarillo ISD has four elementary campuses with an art specialist on staff to provide a robust art curriculum to their students. Those four schools are George Washington Carver, Margaret Wills, Olsen Park, and Eastridge Elementary. In elementary art, students express their creativity, develop fine motor skills, and learn basic art techniques. A large portion of the curriculum is also focused on social emotional learning (SEL) and reinforcement of core concepts.
 

Amarillo High School

• Starla Kelley – Ceramics, Jewelry
• Trina Carlton – Art I, Painting, AP & IB Art
• Jordan Jacob – Art I, Drawing, Painting
• Darbi Jefferies – Art
   

Caprock High School

• Shawn Kennedy – Drawing, Painting, AP Art
• Melinda Anderson – Art I, Drawing
• Megan Harris – Ceramics, Art I
• Valeria Mayoral – Art I, Ceramics
• Brittany Busch – Art I
   

Palo Duro High School

• Chad Cole – Drawing, Art I
• Amanda Fitzgerald – Jewelry, Art I
• Hagen Hall – Art I, Ceramics
• Slayden Watson – Art I, Painting
   

Tascosa High School

• Marissa Norsworthy – Art I, Drawing
• June Gabel - Art I, Digital Art, Photography
• Jo Brown – Ceramics
• Liz Strobel – AP Art, Jewelry
• Lesley Lusby – Art I, Drawing
• Katie Hoyler – Art I, Painting

Amarillo ISD Orchestra Program

The Amarillo Independent School District orchestra program is one of the oldest and most successful in the state of Texas and our directors strive to maintain high expectations and consistent levels of excellence. String instruction begins in fifth grade on violin, viola, cello, and double bass and continues throughout the middle school and high school years.   Orchestra directors work with students both individually and in groups to achieve correct performance skills, proper rehearsal techniques, concert etiquette, critical listening, comprehensive music reading, and an appreciation of the music of the masters.

Orchestra students perform regularly with their school ensembles both in public and competitive settings. Amarillo school orchestras have maintained consistent exemplary ratings at UIL concert and sight-reading contests, in addition students have the opportunity to prepare and perform solos and small ensembles for UIL recognition.  Students may participate annually in middle school and high school TMEA Region Orchestras and our high school orchestra programs typically place several students in the TMEA All-State Orchestras each year. In addition, many of our string students attend the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Austin as well as participate in the local Greater Southwest Music Festival.

Orchestra students in AISD continuously rank among the top academic performers in the area, including Superintendent Scholar and Honor Roll achievements. The ongoing success of the program can be attributed to the support of parents and the school board, the dedication and hard work of the directors, and the enthusiasm of the students.
 

High School Orchestra Programs

Amarillo High School

• Breanna Parker, Orchestra Director
   

Caprock High School

• Danica Ahedo, Orchestra Director
• Cooper Jones, Assistant Orchestra Director
   

Palo Duro High School

• Lindsay Stepien, Orchestra Director
• Raiden Fore, Assistant Orchestra Director

Tascosa High School

• Harold Scarbrough, Orchestra Director

Allen 6^th

• Terry Baker, Band Director
• Brooklynne Johnston, Choir Director
• Kathryn Pena, Orchestra Director
   

Austin

• Chris Rodriguez, Band Director
• Ashton Young, Assistant Band Director
• Julie Coe, Choir Director
• Jillian Read, Orchestra Director
   

Bonham

• Rachael Whipple, Band Director
• Parker Gravley, Assistant Band Director
• Lizzie Manfredi, Choir Director
• Nakita Vickery, Assistant Choir Director
• Danielle Kupresanin, Orchestra Director
   

Bowie

• Andres Cardenas Casillas, Band Director
• Juan Montoya, Assistant Band Director
• Brian Warren, Choir Director
• Fabian Saldana, Orchestra Director
• Cooper Jones, Assistant Orchestra Director
   

Bowie 6^th

• Andres Cardenas Casillas, Band Director
• Juan Montoya, Assistant Band Director
• Brian Warren, Choir Director
• Fabian Saldana, Orchestra Director
• Cooper Jones, Assistant Orchestra Director
   

Crockett

• Barry Blackwell, Band Director
• Ian Tackitt, Assistant Band Director
• Lauren Mellinger, Choir Director
• Nakita Vickery, Assistant Choir Director
• Christian Anderson, Orchestra Director
   

Fannin

• Paticus Henderson, Band Director
• Ashton Young, Assistant Band Director
• Holly Johnston, Choir Director
• Bryan Chavez, Orchestra Director
   

Houston

• Suzie Pecht, Band Director
• Jessica Swenn, Choir Director
• Bryan Gomez, Orchestra Director
   

Lorenzo De Zavala

• Britni Nuckols, Band Director
• Larissa Cunningham, Choir Director
• Benito Flores, Orchestra Director
   

Mann

• Terry Baker, Band Director
• Brooklynne Johnston, Choir Director
• Kathryn Pena, Orchestra Director
   

Travis

• Maritza Mendoza, Band Director
• Isaac Gutierrez, Assistant Band Director
• Tiffany Roberts, Choir Director
• Matt Arambula, Orchestra Director
  ​​​​​​​

Travis 6^th

• Maritza Mendoza, Band Director
• Isaac Gutierrez, Assistant Band Director
• Tiffany Roberts, Choir Director
• Matt Arambula, Orchestra Director

Amarillo ISD Theatre Arts Program

Amarillo ISD Theatre Arts offers a spiraling program of study that focuses on the development of the voice, body, and mind as communication tools. Performance opportunities for actors and technicians is an important part of the curriculum. Growth in creative expression, empathy, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, language skills, memorization, and social/emotional development are important benefits of a production theatre experience.

In technical theatre, students analyze literature to design and build theatre elements such as sets, scenery, costumes, makeup, lighting, and sound. Advanced technical theatre students learn to use highly specialized equipment for lighting and sound controls.

AISD thespians shine often in the Amarillo spotlight through campus performances, play festivals, and UIL One-Act Play competitions.
 

Austin Middle School   

• Susan Stafford
   

Bonham Middle School

• Daniel Smith
   

Bowie Middle School

• Victoria Kiker
   

Bowie 6th Grade Campus

• Victoria Kiker
   

Crockett Middle School

• Deborah McCollum
   

Fannin Middle School

• Jonathon Lennon
   

Houston Middle School

• Candice Teichelman
  ​​​​​​​

Travis Middle School

• Harrison Blount

Amarillo ISD Visual Art Program

Amarillo ISD offers secondary students a visual art program that promotes creative thinking and critical problem solving, nurtures artistic and observational skills, promotes art appreciation and content knowledge, reinforces core curriculum, and provides an avenue for imaginative self-expression.

Visual art courses begin in middle school and continue through high school with advanced courses in Drawing, Painting, Digital Art, Photography, Ceramics, Jewelry, as well as AP and IB Studio Art. AISD art students participate in numerous area and state competitions including the TAEA Visual Arts Scholastic Event at the middle school, high school, and state levels; and the Texas Panhandle Student Art Show hosted by the Amarillo Museum of Art.

Amarillo ISD has four elementary campuses with an art specialist on staff to provide a robust art curriculum to their students. Those four schools are George Washington Carver, Margaret Wills, Olsen Park, and Eastridge Elementary. In elementary art, students express their creativity, develop fine motor skills, and learn basic art techniques. A large portion of the curriculum is also focused on social emotional learning (SEL) and reinforcement of core concepts.
 

Austin Middle School

• Micah Muehlhausen
   

Bonham Middle School

• Helen Garcia
• Valerie Santos
   

Bowie Middle School

• Dustin Skidmore
   

Bowie 6th Grade Campus

• Daniel Soltero
   

Crockett Middle School

• Megan Green
• Tara Hornecker
   

Fannin Middle School

• Heather Johnson
• Brandi Mays
   

Houston Middle School

• Angela Barclay
   

Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School

• Michelle Erickson
   

Mann Middle School/Allen 6th Grade Campus

• Ana Ramirez
   

Travis Middle School

• Joshua Hogge
• Kayleigh Wheeler-Palmer
   

Travis 6th Grade Campus

• Julie Talley

The Amarillo ISD Elementary Music Program is staffed by an outstanding group of music educators offering a rich variety of music activities during the elementary years. Performance opportunities and in-depth exposure to music technology, composition, and "movement" components abound. Students may elect to enter the orchestra program in the fifth grade.

Amarillo ISD Visual Art Program

Amarillo ISD offers secondary students a visual art program that promotes creative thinking and critical problem solving, nurtures artistic and observational skills, promotes art appreciation and content knowledge, reinforces core curriculum, and provides an avenue for imaginative self-expression.

Visual art courses begin in middle school and continue through high school with advanced courses in Drawing, Painting, Digital Art, Photography, Ceramics, Jewelry, as well as AP and IB Studio Art. AISD art students participate in numerous area and state competitions including the TAEA Visual Arts Scholastic Event at the middle school, high school, and state levels; and the Texas Panhandle Student Art Show hosted by the Amarillo Museum of Art.

Amarillo ISD has four elementary campuses with an art specialist on staff to provide a robust art curriculum to their students. Those four schools are George Washington Carver, Margaret Wills, Olsen Park, and Eastridge Elementary. In elementary art, students express their creativity, develop fine motor skills, and learn basic art techniques. A large portion of the curriculum is also focused on social emotional learning (SEL) and reinforcement of core concepts.
 

George Washington Carver Elementary School

• Amy Ahrens

Olsen Park Elementary School

• Robin Karrh