Mr. Tanner Smith, Director of Bands
Mr. Smith joined the staff in 2016 as Director of Bands at Wakeland HS. At Wakeland his responsibilities include the Marching Band, Wind Symphony and overall program direction. He also assists with Concert Band I and II, as well as the Symphonic Band and Middle School ensembles. He came to Wakeland HS from Independence HS in Frisco ISD.
Mr. Smith grew up in Austin and Sugar Land, Texas where he studied with the late Ms. Diane Gorzycki and Mr. Dean Westman, both of whom inspired him to become an educator. Mr. Smith attended the University of Oklahoma where he studied conducting with Dr. William Wakefield, Mr. Brian Britt, Dr. Debra Traficante, and Dr. Brian Wolfe; he also studied trumpet with Dr. Karl Sievers. Prior to Wakeland, Mr. Smith had previously taught at Independence (Frisco), Allen High School (Allen, TX) and Garner Middle School (San Antonio, Texas).
Mr. Smith completed 5 years of Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011 with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Before marching with the Cavaliers he had marched with Capital Regiment (2006) and Carolina Crown (2007-2009). Mr. Smith was previously on the brass staff for The Troopers and Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. He has previously been on the Educational Team for the Music for All: Drum Major Institute and assisted with 2013 Bands of America Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the National Bandmasters Association. He currently lives in Frisco with his wife Corey and their dogs Rex and Chester.
Mr. Smith joined the staff in 2016 as Director of Bands at Wakeland HS. At Wakeland his responsibilities include the Marching Band, Wind Symphony and overall program direction. He also assists with Concert Band I and II, as well as the Symphonic Band and Middle School ensembles. He came to Wakeland HS from Independence HS in Frisco ISD.
Mr. Smith grew up in Austin and Sugar Land, Texas where he studied with the late Ms. Diane Gorzycki and Mr. Dean Westman, both of whom inspired him to become an educator. Mr. Smith attended the University of Oklahoma where he studied conducting with Dr. William Wakefield, Mr. Brian Britt, Dr. Debra Traficante, and Dr. Brian Wolfe; he also studied trumpet with Dr. Karl Sievers. Prior to Wakeland, Mr. Smith had previously taught at Independence (Frisco), Allen High School (Allen, TX) and Garner Middle School (San Antonio, Texas).
Mr. Smith completed 5 years of Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011 with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Before marching with the Cavaliers he had marched with Capital Regiment (2006) and Carolina Crown (2007-2009). Mr. Smith was previously on the brass staff for The Troopers and Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. He has previously been on the Educational Team for the Music for All: Drum Major Institute and assisted with 2013 Bands of America Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the National Bandmasters Association. He currently lives in Frisco with his wife Corey and their dogs Rex and Chester.
Ms. Elizabeth Lentz, Assistant Band Director
Ms. Lentz joined the Wakeland Band Staff in 2019 and excited for another terrific year. Previously she served as an Assistant Band Director at Paschal High School in Fort Worth, TX where she directed the Symphonic Band and Concert Band II along with teaching the marching band.
Ms. Lentz earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of North Texas. As a trumpet player at UNT, she performed in many ensembles, including the Symphonic Band directed under Dennis Fisher and the Brass Band directed under Dr. Nicholas Williams and Brian Bowman. She was also a three-year member of the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band, serving as a field instructor her final year. Ms. Lentz spent several years as a marching band instructor for DFW area high schools, including Frisco Liberty, Mansfield Legacy, and Hebron. Prior to her time at UNT, Ms. Lentz grew up in Corinth, TX and attended Lake Dallas High School.
Ms. Lentz finished her 6 year DCI experience as trumpet co-section leader at the Blue Devils. Prior to aging out with the World Champion Blue Devils from 2013-2015, she also marched with the Troopers (2010-2011) and Santa Clara Vanguard (2012). She returned to the DCI activity as a brass staff member with the 2019 Blue Devils B Corps.
Ms. Lentz is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. Outside of teaching Ms. Lentz enjoys traveling, cooking, running, and spending time with friends and family.
Ms. Lentz joined the Wakeland Band Staff in 2019 and excited for another terrific year. Previously she served as an Assistant Band Director at Paschal High School in Fort Worth, TX where she directed the Symphonic Band and Concert Band II along with teaching the marching band.
Ms. Lentz earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of North Texas. As a trumpet player at UNT, she performed in many ensembles, including the Symphonic Band directed under Dennis Fisher and the Brass Band directed under Dr. Nicholas Williams and Brian Bowman. She was also a three-year member of the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band, serving as a field instructor her final year. Ms. Lentz spent several years as a marching band instructor for DFW area high schools, including Frisco Liberty, Mansfield Legacy, and Hebron. Prior to her time at UNT, Ms. Lentz grew up in Corinth, TX and attended Lake Dallas High School.
Ms. Lentz finished her 6 year DCI experience as trumpet co-section leader at the Blue Devils. Prior to aging out with the World Champion Blue Devils from 2013-2015, she also marched with the Troopers (2010-2011) and Santa Clara Vanguard (2012). She returned to the DCI activity as a brass staff member with the 2019 Blue Devils B Corps.
Ms. Lentz is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. Outside of teaching Ms. Lentz enjoys traveling, cooking, running, and spending time with friends and family.
Mr. Daniel Berard, Assistant Band Director
Daniel Berard joins Wakeland as a 26-year veteran educator with a wide range of experience with students of all levels, from beginning to professional musicians. Most recently, he served as Director of Bands at Grain Valley High School (Grain Valley, MO) where he was responsible for all aspects of the large, vibrant, and successful Band program, and coordinated district music activities.
Prior to that position, Mr. Berard held the Director of Bands position at Fossil Ridge High School (Ft. Collins, CO), having had the opportunity to open the school in 2004. During his tenure at Fossil Ridge, the Band program grew to national prominence, earning multiple state championships in Marching Band, numerous state awards and consistent “Superior” ratings in concert and jazz performance, and two invitations as a featured ensemble at the prestigious Music For All National Concert Band Festival, held in Indianapolis (2012 & 2016).
Mr. Berard received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Master of Music degrees in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting from Colorado State University. He has been a member of the instructional team of several world-class Drum & Bugle Corps, including The Madison Scouts, The Cavaliers, and The Cadets. He is also a staff member for SASI - the Leadership People, a Texas-based organization specializing in providing leadership training for thousands of students nation-wide each year.
Mr. Berard is 1 of 17 directors nation-wide to be named a Yamaha Master Educator, is active as a clinician, adjudicator and conductor, and has presented at numerous clinics and conventions across the country, including the prestigious Midwest Clinic in 2019. Mr. Berard has received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence, and in 2012 was named one of the "50 Directors Who Make a Difference" by School Band & Orchestra Magazine.
Daniel Berard joins Wakeland as a 26-year veteran educator with a wide range of experience with students of all levels, from beginning to professional musicians. Most recently, he served as Director of Bands at Grain Valley High School (Grain Valley, MO) where he was responsible for all aspects of the large, vibrant, and successful Band program, and coordinated district music activities.
Prior to that position, Mr. Berard held the Director of Bands position at Fossil Ridge High School (Ft. Collins, CO), having had the opportunity to open the school in 2004. During his tenure at Fossil Ridge, the Band program grew to national prominence, earning multiple state championships in Marching Band, numerous state awards and consistent “Superior” ratings in concert and jazz performance, and two invitations as a featured ensemble at the prestigious Music For All National Concert Band Festival, held in Indianapolis (2012 & 2016).
Mr. Berard received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Master of Music degrees in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting from Colorado State University. He has been a member of the instructional team of several world-class Drum & Bugle Corps, including The Madison Scouts, The Cavaliers, and The Cadets. He is also a staff member for SASI - the Leadership People, a Texas-based organization specializing in providing leadership training for thousands of students nation-wide each year.
Mr. Berard is 1 of 17 directors nation-wide to be named a Yamaha Master Educator, is active as a clinician, adjudicator and conductor, and has presented at numerous clinics and conventions across the country, including the prestigious Midwest Clinic in 2019. Mr. Berard has received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence, and in 2012 was named one of the "50 Directors Who Make a Difference" by School Band & Orchestra Magazine.
Mr. Brian Teed, Percussion Director
Mr. Teed joined the Wakeland Band in 2018 as the former Director of Percussion at The Colony High School in The Colony, TX and Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, TX. The Colony High School has had many individual and ensemble successes during Mr. Teed’s time including competing at the 5A State Marching Contest for the first time in nearly 10-years.
Mr. Teed is originally from The Woodlands, Texas where he had the privilege of being under the direction of Mr. Andrew Salmon at The Woodlands High School. He holds a master’s degree in Percussion Performance and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma, where he was awarded the Ronald J. Dyer award for outstanding contributions to the OU Percussion Studio. During his graduate degree, Mr. Teed taught the University of Oklahoma Drumline alongside Mr. Glen Buecker, was the Assistant Director of the OU Steel Drum Band, and was the Director for the “Sooner Showmen” Women’s Basketball Band.
Mr. Teed has performed at numerous conventions and festivals including the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, The National Convention on Percussion Pedagogy in Norman, Oklahoma, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. During his time at OU, he earned first place in the University of Oklahoma Concerto Competition in the Graduate Division (2013) and Undergraduate Division (2011). He was a founding member of the Norman Philharmonic Orchestra.
His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Percussive Arts Society. He is also an educational artist for Vic Firth.
Mr. Teed currently resides in McKinney with his wife Jennifer, who is the Assistant Band Director at Pioneer Heritage Middle School in Frisco ISD.
Mr. Teed joined the Wakeland Band in 2018 as the former Director of Percussion at The Colony High School in The Colony, TX and Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, TX. The Colony High School has had many individual and ensemble successes during Mr. Teed’s time including competing at the 5A State Marching Contest for the first time in nearly 10-years.
Mr. Teed is originally from The Woodlands, Texas where he had the privilege of being under the direction of Mr. Andrew Salmon at The Woodlands High School. He holds a master’s degree in Percussion Performance and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma, where he was awarded the Ronald J. Dyer award for outstanding contributions to the OU Percussion Studio. During his graduate degree, Mr. Teed taught the University of Oklahoma Drumline alongside Mr. Glen Buecker, was the Assistant Director of the OU Steel Drum Band, and was the Director for the “Sooner Showmen” Women’s Basketball Band.
Mr. Teed has performed at numerous conventions and festivals including the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, The National Convention on Percussion Pedagogy in Norman, Oklahoma, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. During his time at OU, he earned first place in the University of Oklahoma Concerto Competition in the Graduate Division (2013) and Undergraduate Division (2011). He was a founding member of the Norman Philharmonic Orchestra.
His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Percussive Arts Society. He is also an educational artist for Vic Firth.
Mr. Teed currently resides in McKinney with his wife Jennifer, who is the Assistant Band Director at Pioneer Heritage Middle School in Frisco ISD.
Mr. Michael Alonzo, Color Guard Director
Michael Alonzo began his marching arts career at Little Elm High School and was a part of their winter guard production Somewhere in Time (-2010 WGI Scholastic A Gold Medalists). He continued performing in the color guard with Drum Corp International’s The Crossmen (2010), The Cavaliers (2011 - Bronze Medalist), and The Blue Devils (2012 - Gold Medalist; 2013 - Silver Medalist).
Mr. Alonzo has been an instructor, technician, and choreographer to the colorguard programs at Alvord High School, Fossil Ridge High School, L.D. Bell High School, and Wakeland High School.
Mr. Alonzo received his Bachelor of Arts in Music (Cum Laude) from the University of North Texas, studying voice with Inci Bashar, Richard Croft, and William Joyner. He is currently an in-demand vocalist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, regularly performing with The Orchestra of New Spain, Fort Worth Opera, and Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Michael Alonzo began his marching arts career at Little Elm High School and was a part of their winter guard production Somewhere in Time (-2010 WGI Scholastic A Gold Medalists). He continued performing in the color guard with Drum Corp International’s The Crossmen (2010), The Cavaliers (2011 - Bronze Medalist), and The Blue Devils (2012 - Gold Medalist; 2013 - Silver Medalist).
Mr. Alonzo has been an instructor, technician, and choreographer to the colorguard programs at Alvord High School, Fossil Ridge High School, L.D. Bell High School, and Wakeland High School.
Mr. Alonzo received his Bachelor of Arts in Music (Cum Laude) from the University of North Texas, studying voice with Inci Bashar, Richard Croft, and William Joyner. He is currently an in-demand vocalist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, regularly performing with The Orchestra of New Spain, Fort Worth Opera, and Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Nathaniel Collins, Percussion Assistant
Nathaniel is an active performer and educator currently based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Prior to this year, Nathaniel taught in the Plano West Senior High cluster from 2011-2018. While in Plano, Nathaniel acted as the Percussion Instructor at Jasper High School, Plano West Senior High and coordinator for the Plano West Middle School Drumline.
Nathaniel holds the position as Principal Percussionist with the Abilene Philharmonic and a position with the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale. Additionally, Nathaniel works frequently with the Dallas Winds and will appear on the upcoming albums featuring the music of John Williams and John Mackey. Nathaniel also works with many local professional large ensembles and music theater companies. In the past year, Nathaniel has performed with the Dallas Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and Imprint TheatreWorks' production of “Murder Ballad.”
Nathaniel completed his Masters of Music in 2012 at Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor's of Music with Distinction from the Eastman School of Music in 2009.
Nathaniel is an active performer and educator currently based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Prior to this year, Nathaniel taught in the Plano West Senior High cluster from 2011-2018. While in Plano, Nathaniel acted as the Percussion Instructor at Jasper High School, Plano West Senior High and coordinator for the Plano West Middle School Drumline.
Nathaniel holds the position as Principal Percussionist with the Abilene Philharmonic and a position with the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale. Additionally, Nathaniel works frequently with the Dallas Winds and will appear on the upcoming albums featuring the music of John Williams and John Mackey. Nathaniel also works with many local professional large ensembles and music theater companies. In the past year, Nathaniel has performed with the Dallas Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and Imprint TheatreWorks' production of “Murder Ballad.”
Nathaniel completed his Masters of Music in 2012 at Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor's of Music with Distinction from the Eastman School of Music in 2009.