Conductors

   & Soloist   

David Puckett

Director of Bands

Before moving to Keller Middle School, David Puckett opened both South Keller Intermediate and Indian Springs Middle School in 2001.  Mr. Puckett began teaching as a Texas music educator in 1997 and has taught at both the middle and high school levels. He teaches beginner brass classes, as well as team-teaches performance bands, and coordinates the jazz band, color guard and percussion ensembles with his colleagues. Mr. Puckett was named the recipient of the 2013 John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Cup. In 2014 the Indian Springs Band was a feature performance group at The Midwest Clinic. Most recently, Mr. Puckett led the Keller Middle School band at the 2022 Texas Music Educators Convention as the featured Invited Middle School Band.

  • Before moving to Keller Middle School, David Puckett opened both South Keller Intermediate and Indian Springs Middle School in 2001. Mr. Puckett began teaching as a Texas music educator in 1997 and has taught at both the middle and high school levels. He teaches beginner brass classes, as well as team-teaches performance bands, and coordinates the jazz band, color guard and percussion ensembles with his colleagues.

    Mr. Puckett was named the recipient of the 2013 John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Cup. In 2014 the Indian Springs Band was a feature performance group at The Midwest Clinic. Most recently, Mr. Puckett led the Keller Middle School band at the 2022 Texas Music Educators Convention as the featured Invited Middle School Band. The ISMS band program made it to the state level of the Honor Band process three times and won the 2015 Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band competition, allowing them the honor to perform at the 2016 TMEA convention as the CCC Honor Band. In 2016 Music for All selected their group to travel to Indianapolis to perform at the National Concert Band Festival in March 2017. Choice Music’s Mark of Excellence has recognized Indian Springs sixteen times in the National Wind Band Honors contest, once in the Citation of Excellence and once in National Jazz Honors.

    Mr. Puckett’s bands receive consistent Superior ratings at Texas UIL Concert and Sight-reading contests as well as many Best in Class or outstanding bands of the day recognition at local festivals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Students from Mr. Puckett’s program consistently have the high individual representation at District and Region level honor bands and Superior ratings at solo and ensemble contests. Mr. Puckett’s groups have multiple recognition in the Global Initiative for Talented Students; Medal of Distinction Concert band division. Mr. Puckett is a member of: Phi Beta Mu – Alpha Chapter, an International Bandmasters fraternity where he serves on the public relations committee and TMEA area representative; the Texas Music Educators Association; the Texas Bandmasters Association and enjoys regular visits to The Midwest Clinic. Mr. Puckett served as chairman of the Texas Band UIL PML Music Selection Committee, has served in several offices at the TMEA region level, and currently serves as lead teacher of the seven Keller ISD middle school band programs.

    Mr. Puckett was a national finalist in Music and Arts National Educator of the year, is a PTA Honorary Lifetime member for service to the school, and has been Indian Springs Middle School’s Teacher of the Year. He thoroughly enjoys spending time outside of his own band hall as a band consultant, clinician, conductor, adjudicator, mentor and trombone performer. He has presented clinics at Texas Music Educators Association convention, Texas Bandmasters Association convention, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University, Sam Houston University, and many independent school districts in Texas. Mr. Puckett was honored to be the Georgia Music Educators All-State MS Honor band conductor, and looks forward to his upcoming musical engagements at the Texas Private School Music Educators Association Honor Band Clinician as well as sharing his passion for band in and out of state!

    Mr. Puckett graduated with his Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Nebraska –Lincoln and now resides in Keller, Texas with his loving wife Becky, beautiful daughter Rachel and surrounded by millions of fibers of joy from his two golden retrievers and calico cat.

Richard Alvarado

Band Director

Richard Alvarado is a Band Director at Keller Middle School in Keller, Texas. Richard is a native of Mansfield, Texas, and a graduate of Lake Ridge High School. He graduated with Honors from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

During his time at TCU, he served as Principal Tuba of the TCU School of Music, Drum Major of The Pride of TCU Marching Band, and President of the TCU Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Service Fraternity. He was also a finalist for the TCU School of Music’s Nordan Young Artist Award.

  • Richard Alvarado is a Band Director at Keller Middle School in Keller, Texas. Richard is a native of Mansfield, Texas, and a graduate of Lake Ridge High School. He graduated with Honors from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

    During his time at TCU, he served as Principal Tuba of the TCU School of Music, Drum Major of The Pride of TCU Marching Band, and President of the TCU Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Service Fraternity. He was also a finalist for the TCU School of Music’s Nordan Young Artist Award. His time in the TCU Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony included performances at the 2018 American Bandmasters Association Convention, the 2019 College Band Directors National Association Conference, and the 2019 and 2020 Texas Music Educators Association Convention, respectively. The TCU Tuba Quartet also earned the Ensemble Bronze Medal at the 2018 South-Central Regional Tuba & Euphonium Conference. He has performed collaboratively with artists including Demondrae Thurman, Jens Lindemann, and Boston Brass. His collegiate mentors include Richard Murrow, Bobby Francis, Brian Youngblood, Matthew Garrett, and Dr. Laura Singletary.

    While at Keller Middle School, the Wind Ensemble performed at the 2022 Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio, Texas, and the 2023 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. The Keller Middle School Symphonic Band has also consistently received Superior Ratings at UIL Concert & Sightreading Evaluations, has been a “Runner-Up” at the prestigious North Texas Festival of Distinction, and has been named a “Commended Winner” in the Citation of Excellence National Wind Band Honors project.

    Richard has been involved in the marching arts over the years. He spent three seasons as a member of the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps from Canton, Ohio, earning the Outstanding Rookie Member award in 2017, and the Outstanding Brass Performer award in 2018. He has assisted with the marching band programs as a visual instructor at Aledo High School, Lake Ridge High School, and Keller High School. He currently serves as a tuba instructor for the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps and is on the Educational Team for the Texas A&M University - Commerce Leadership, Drum Major, & Color Guard Camp. He also serves as a Visual Consultant for the Gulf Breeze High School Marching Band in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

    Richard is also an active tubist in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He serves as Principal Tuba of the Mansfield Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mansfield Wind Symphony under the direction of Brian Merrill, and the Dallas Brass Band. He has also subbed for groups including the Dallas Winds Brass Quintet and Richardson Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet.

    His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, International Tuba-Euphonium Association. Outside of teaching, Richard enjoys serving in the music ministry at his church, traveling, performing, and spending time with family. His wife Rachel is an elementary music teacher in Bedford, Texas.

Cait Tucker

Band Director

Cait Tucker is a Band Director at Keller Middle School in Keller, Texas. Cait is a native of Huntsville, Texas. She studied at Sam Houston State University studying under Dr. Matthew McInturf, Professor Darla McBryde, Dr. Brian Gibbs, and Dr. Kristen Sarvela.

  • Cait Tucker is a Band Director at Keller Middle School in Keller, Texas. Cait is a native of Huntsville, Texas. She studied at Sam Houston State University studying under Dr. Matthew McInturf, Professor Darla McBryde, Dr. Brian Gibbs, and Dr. Kristen Sarvela.

    In her time at SHSU, she served principal oboist for the Symphony Orchestra, and member of the Sam Houston Wind Ensemble. During her time in the Wind Ensemble she performed at the 2020 Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and was a part of the College Band Directors National Association performing Ensemble also in 2020. She served as Vice President of Fraternity Education of the SHSU chapter of the Sigma Alpha Iota Women’s Music Fraternity, Logistics Coordinator for the Bearkat Marching Band, and Band Librarian the performing ensembles. Cait student-taught in Frisco ISD, in Frisco, Texas under the mentorship of Katie Lewis, Logan Stalcup and Frank Troyka.

    Outside of the school day, Cait is an active member of Young Band Directors of Texas, providing holistic support to members in the developing years of their career, with a focus on web-based resources and personal connection, YBDT functions as a link between Texas young band directors and the resources available to help them learn, live, and teach. She serves as the administrative assistant for the organization. She spends her summers teaching on staff with the Bocal Majority Woodwinds at the Double Reed Summer Camps, working closely with Dr. Jennifer Auerbach. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association.

    She now resides in Keller with her Fiance, Will Burson, who is a director at Keller Central High School and their cats.

Zachary Simons

Percussion Director

Zachary Simons is the Percussion Director for Keller High School, where he oversees all percussion students at Keller High School, Keller Middle School, Indian Springs Middle School, and Bear Creek Intermediate School. 

  • Zachary Simons is the Percussion Director for Keller High School, where he oversees all percussion students at Keller High School, Keller Middle School, Indian Springs Middle School, and Bear Creek Intermediate School. 

    He earned his Bachelors of Music Education at the University of Oklahoma. While at the OU, he performed with a number of ensembles including the OU Wind Ensemble, OU Symphony Orchestra, the Percussion Orchestra, as well as marching with and serving as a percussion technician for the Pride of Oklahoma. 

    Prior to joining the staff at Keller High, Zachary served as the Middle School Percussion Specialist and Percussion Assistant for the Broken Arrow Band Program in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In this role, he oversaw all middle school percussionists, as well as serving as the battery instructor for the Pride of Broken Arrow and BA Indoor Percussion. During his time at Broken Arrow, the group was a multi-time State Marching Band Champion, BOA Regional champion, BOA Grand National Runner-Up and WGI Regional Finalist. 

    Zachary has been involved in the Drum and Bugle Corps activity in a number of roles. He is an alumnus of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, and serves as Battery Caption Manager for The Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps.

Cynthia A. Lansford

Guest Conductor

After graduating with a degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University in 1976, Cindy Lansford began her teaching career at her alma mater, Robert E. Lee High School, in Baytown, Texas. After relocating to north Texas in 1978, she began a twelve-year stint in the Plano Independent School District, first at Plano Senior High School followed by ten years at Carpenter Middle School. In 1991, Ms. Lansford joined the Birdville Independent School District and taught at Haltom High School. In 1996 she moved to North Ridge Middle School in the B. I. S. D. where she taught until her retirement in 2007.

  • After graduating with a degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University in 1976, Cindy Lansford began her teaching career at her alma mater, Robert E. Lee High School, in Baytown, Texas. After relocating to north Texas in 1978, she began a twelve-year stint in the Plano Independent School District, first at Plano Senior High School followed by ten years at Carpenter Middle School. In 1991, Ms. Lansford joined the Birdville Independent School District and taught at Haltom High School. In 1996 she moved to North Ridge Middle School in the B. I. S. D. where she taught until her retirement in 2007.

    During her tenure at Carpenter, Ms. Lansford was named Teacher of the Year and was a recipient of the Ross Perot Excellence in Teaching Award. She was again named Teacher of the Year at North Ridge. Ms. Lansford served on the Prescribed Music List selection committee 2002-2006 and served her regions throughout the years in various leadership positions. She has been a frequent presenter at conventions for both Texas and Oklahoma Music Educators Associations. She has also been a frequent presenter at the Texas and Oklahoma Bandmasters Associations as well as through the T. B. A. Professional Development program. In 2008 Ms. Lansford received the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Texas Bandmasters Association.

    The bands under Ms. Lansford’s direction enjoyed much success throughout the years. Continuous achievement at U. I. L. contests, numerous festivals, as well as state recognition were the norm, and individual student accomplishments were status quo. In 2004 the North Ridge Middle School Band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Cup award presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to outstanding middle school bands. In 2005 the North Ridge Honors Band performed at the Fifty-Ninth Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.

    In 2006 the North Ridge Band was the first middle school band program to be recognized by the Texas Bandmasters Association as “An Exemplary Program”. The 2007-2008 school year marked the first year of retirement from a public school position for Ms. Lansford, and she started her second “career” doing freelance work as a consultant, clinician, mentor, adjudicator and teacher. She has been in contact with hundreds of teachers and thousands of students through region and all state bands and band camps stretching from Alaska to Georgia. She also works one-on-one with individual programs and teachers.

    Ms. Lansford’s professional affiliations include Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and she is past president of Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity. She is currently serving on the Executive Board of Phi Beta Mu International. Ms. Lansford was recently inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Hall of Fame in Texas.

Daniel Bloss

Band Director - Keller High School

Daniel Bloss is in his twelfth year of teaching and his tenth at Keller High School, where he serves as a woodwind specialist and as the director of the Symphonic Band. Mr. Bloss also teaches the AP Music Theory class and assists with the concert ensembles at Indian Springs Middle School. Before teaching at Keller High School, Mr. Bloss was a director across the district at Timberview Middle School.

  • Daniel Bloss is in his twelfth year of teaching and his tenth at Keller High School, where he serves as a woodwind specialist and as the director of the Symphonic Band. Mr. Bloss also teaches the AP Music Theory class and assists with the concert ensembles at Indian Springs Middle School. Before teaching at Keller High School, Mr. Bloss was a director across the district at Timberview Middle School.

    Mr. Bloss is a proud alumnus of the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated cum laude with his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a minor in Linguistics. While at OU, Mr. Bloss was recognized for his research on teaching music as a second language, and presented a NAfME clinic on teaching music in non-traditional settings under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Raiber. Mr. Bloss performed in the OU Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band under the direction of Dr. William Wakefield and Mr. Brian Britt, respectively, and was a flute student of Dr. Valerie Watts.

    Mr. Bloss is originally from Flower Mound, Texas, where he graduated from Marcus High School. He was a three-year drum major for the Marcus Marching Band and performed in the Marcus Wind Ensemble under the direction of Ms. Amanda Drinkwater. Mr. Bloss is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the National Association for Music Education, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.

Haley Emerson

Band Director - Keller High School

Haley Emerson is a Band Director at Keller High School. Haley is originally from Argyle, Texas, where she graduated from Argyle High School. She served as drum major for the Argyle High School band and performed in the Argyle Wind Ensemble under Kathy Johnson. She later attended Texas Christian University, graduating magna cum laude with her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2022.

  • Haley Emerson is a Band Director at Keller High School. Haley is originally from Argyle, Texas, where she graduated from Argyle High School. She served as drum major for the Argyle High School band and performed in the Argyle Wind Ensemble under Kathy Johnson. She later attended Texas Christian University, graduating magna cum laude with her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2022.

    During her time at TCU, Haley had the privilege of studying French horn under Heather Test. She served as Principal Horn of the TCU Wind Symphony under Bobby Francis for three years, and was an active member of several campus ensembles, including the TCU Symphonic Band, horn choir, and athletic bands. While studying abroad in Vienna, Austria, she had the privilege of studying French horn under Mr. Franz Söllner, retired principal horn for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. She completed her student teaching with Keller High School and Keller Middle School.

    Haley is an alumnus of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, where she was a marching member for four years and served on the leadership team. She recently joined the brass staff at the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, and worked with the Keller High School Marching Band as a visual instructor in the fall of 2022.

    Outside of teaching, Haley has enjoyed working remotely as a freelance social media manager and lived part-time in Barcelona, Spain. She currently resides in Fort Worth, and enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.