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Staff Bios
Brandon Day - Director of Bands
Brandon Day is currently in his 5th year as Director of Bands at Burleson High School. His main duties include leading the Spirit of Elks Marching Band, the BHS Wind Ensemble, and is the BHS Cluster K-12 Fine Arts Coordinator. He also assists with Symphonic Winds, Flex Band, as well as the Hughes and STEAM/GDDS Middle School Band classes.
Brandon went to the University of North Texas and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. Mr. Day has been involved with drum corps since 2006 and has taught on multiple brass staffs, including the Guardians, Troopers, and Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps.
Mr. Day is an advocate of the WGI activity. He started the Azle HS Indoor Winds program in 2018. In their first year of competition, Azle Winds won the 2018 WGI Scholastic Open World Championship in Dayton, Ohio. In 2019, the group went back to Dayton in World Class, earning 6th place in WGI Finals. They were also back to back NTCA Winds Champions (2018-Open Class and 2019-World Class). Mr. Day also served on the NTCA Executive Board from 2018-2023.
Brandon’s concert and chamber ensembles at Burleson High School have seen recent success, including invitations to the 2023 Music for All National Festival and the 2023 TMEA Convention.
He resides in Crowley with his wife Brittany, two children Norah and Parker, and their beloved Min Pin, Matilda.
Tyler Gerton - Associate Director of Bands
Tyler Gerton is currently in his 5th year at Burleson High School and is the Associate Band Director. His duties include directing Symphonic Winds as well as assisting with the Spirit of the Elks Marching Band, BHS Wind Ensemble, Hughes and STEAM/GDDS Middle School Band classes.
Mr. Gerton grew up in McKinney and graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Lamar University with a Master's Degree in Educational Administration. The summer after graduating High School he toured across England and France with the Dr. Brian West Percussion Ensemble and went on to spend the following four summers performing with Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2013 – 2016), aging out as a 3-time section leader and 2-time Percussion Captain. Mr. Gerton also performed with Vigilantes Indoor Percussion in 2016 when the ensemble was named the Winter Guard International Open Class Champion at the WGI World Championships. While at North Texas he performed with many different ensembles and held the title of Principal Percussionist of an orchestra for a year.
As an educator, Mr. Gerton was on staff with the Azle Marching Green Pride for 2 seasons then went on to student teach at Keller Central High School and Hillwood Middle School in Keller ISD. After aging out he immediately began teaching drum corps and has been on staff at Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps (2017) and Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps (2018, 2019, 2020). Mr. Gerton served as the Percussion Director for Paris ISD in northeast Texas for two years before moving to Burleson. In 2021 and 2022 he led the Burleson High School Concert Winds to the band's first and second UIL Sweepstakes in program history. In 2023 the Burleson High School Band has ensembles that have been invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Clinic/Convention in San Antonio as well as the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis.
Mr. Gerton currently resides in Burleson with his husband Travis and their two dogs Sasha and Sirius Lee.
Garrett Higbee - Assistant Band Director
Garrett Higbee is in his 2nd year as an Assistant Band Director at Burleson High School. His responsibilities include directing Flex Band as well as assisting with the Spirit of the Elks Marching Band, BHS Wind Ensemble, Hughes and STEAM/GDDS Middle School Band classes.
Higbee is a recent graduate of Abilene Christian University where he student taught at BHS and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. While at ACU he participated in many different performance groups including the ACU Steel Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, YBP Big Purple Marching Band, Tri-Collegiate Tuba Euphonium Ensemble of Abilene, and ACU Basketball Band. Mr. Higbee held the position of Baritone Section leader for 3 years with the marching band, and was the President of the Band. Garrett marched with The Phantom Regiment in the summer of 2019, in their production of “I am Joan”.
Mr. Higbee currently resides in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Jack Baker - Percussion Director
Mr. Baker is currently the Director of Percussion at Burleson High School. Previously, he taught at Azle High School where he served as the Percussion Director for 5 years. During his tenure at Azle, the ensemble was a consistent medalist in WGI and NTCA circuit at the World Class level. He also was able to consistently have over 75% of the percussion studio advance to the UIL State Solo and Ensemble where 3 of his students received the outstanding performer award in a 2 year span, an award that is only given to the top 1% of soloist in the state of Texas.
Before working at Azle, Mr. Baker served as an assistant band director at Duiett Middle School where the ensemble placed 7th in the 2C Honor Band. Mr. Baker has instructed numerous groups across the state of Texas such as Austin Bowie High School in Austin, Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, and Claudia Taylor Johnson High School in San Antonio where he served as a student teacher.
Mr. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas State University and was in ensembles such as the PASIC Drumline, Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and the Bobcat Band Drumline. While at Texas State Mr. Baker marched three years in the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps Drumline and was section leader his last year there. Mr. Baker is an active member of TMEA, TBA, and is endorsed by Innovative Percussion and Evans Drumheads.
Katie Navarro - Color Guard Director
Katharine.Navarro@bisdmail.net
Katharine Navarro is serving in her first year as the colorguard director for both Burleson High School (Burleson ISD) and Newman Smith High School (Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD).
Most recently, Ms. Navarro served as the colorguard director at Rockwall Heath High School from 2021-2023. In 2021, the colorguard earned "Best Guard" in the 6A division of the Royse City Marching Invitational. In 2023, the varsity winter guard earned 3rd place in the Scholastic AA division of the North Texas Colorguard Association (NTCA) Championship. During those two academic years, her recruitment efforts led the guard's membership to grow from 8 to 28.
Prior to her position at Rockwall Heath, Ms. Navarro served as the colorguard director of McMillen High School (2020-2022). Under her watch, the McMillen colorguard won the "Outstanding Guard" award at UIL (2021), and the winter guard won 1st place in the Regional AA division of the NTCA Championship (2022). Ms. Navarro was also the colorguard director at North Forney High School (2015-2020). In 2019, the North Forney marching band went to the State Open Class Marching Band Contest for the first time in the school's history.
As a competitive performer, Ms. Navarro has experience in both Drum Corps International (DCI) and Winter Guard International (WGI). Her DCI history includes one summer performing with the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps (2012) and three summers with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps (2013-2015), all of which earned World Class finalist placements. Her WGI experience began with the Independent Open Class group, White Gold (2011-2013), followed by a promotion to the Independent World Class group, Black Gold (2013-2014). Following her time at Black Gold, Ms. Navarro was a cast member in the then-new Independent World Class group, Colorguard Theatre Dallas (CGT-Dallas), wherein she performed from the group’s inaugural year (2014) through 2017, during which CGT-Dallas placed 5th in the WGI World Championship. Afterward, she was hired onto CGT-Denton’s staff as a flag technician (2017-2020), and later became a flag technician for CGT-Dallas (2020), as well.
Her primary mentor is Danny Martinez (2011-present).
Rebekah Rosenboom - Hughes MS Director of Bands
Rebekah.Rosenboom@bisdmail.net
Rebekah Rosenboom is the current Head Band Director at Hughes Middle School. Her duties include leading the Symphonic Band, assisting with the Honor Band, and teaching the beginner brass classes: trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba.
Mrs. Rosenboom received her Bachelor of Music Education from Texas Tech University. During her time at Tech, she was a member of the award winning Texas Tech Trombone Choir, Symphonic Band, Court Jesters basketball band, and Goin’ Band from Raiderland.
Mrs. Rosenboom started her career in Lorena ISD before moving to Houston. In Houston, she taught for 9 years in Klein ISD and then decided to make the change to move back to the DFW to be closer to family. Most recently she was the Band Director at Loflin Middle School in Joshua ISD where her students were able to experience success despite the challenges of the last few years.
In her free time, Mrs. Rosenboom enjoys working out with Camp Gladiator, hiking, building legos, playing her bass trombone, and being a huge Star Wars and Harry Potter nerd.
Stephanie Bosch - Hughes MS Assistant Band Director
Stephanie Bosch is the Assistant Band Director at Hughes Middle School, where her duties include teaching all beginner woodwind classes, directing the Symphonic Band, and assisting with the Honors Band. She is in her tenth year of teaching and previously taught Band at Acton Middle School in Granbury and Elementary Music at Ikard Elementary School in Weatherford. While at Acton Middle School, her students experienced continued success, with the Symphonic Band earning its first UIL Sweepstakes award ever while under her direction and maintaing consistent Excellent and Superior ratings. She also maintains a small private flute studio and has had several students place in the TMEA All-State Band. Born and raised in San Antonio, Mrs. Bosch is a true product of Texas music! Her music education began at age 5 with piano lessons, and progressed to flute at age 11. As a high school student Mrs. Bosch placed in the TMEA All-State Bands as a flutist 3 times.
Mrs. Bosch attended Baylor University, where she obtained her Bachelors of Music Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude. While at Baylor, Mrs. Bosch participated in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Golden Wave Marching Band. She served as President of the Phi Xi chapter of international music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon, and as a staff member of the Baylor Summer Music Camps, among other additional activities within the School of Music. Mrs. Bosch's current professional affiliations include TMEA and TBA.
Mrs. Bosch lives in Fort Worth with her husband, Simon (also a fellow band director) and one year old son, Silas. They also enjoy their four cats. When not teaching or playing music, Mrs. Bosch's interests include reading, cheering on the Baylor Bears, crochet, and disc golf!
Joseph McPherson - STEAM MS Head Band Director
Joseph McPherson is proud to be entering his 5th year serving as a STEAM/GDDS Band Director. Prior to teaching in Burleson, Mr. Mac was the assistant director in Mason ISD in central Texas.
Mr. Mac grew up in Glen Rose, Texas and graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor's Degree in music education. During his time at Texas Tech, Mac was the principal trombonist for the Texas Tech Symphony Orchestra as well as the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. He was lead trombone for the top jazz big band with whom he was awarded an outstanding soloist award at the Crescent City Jazz festival in New Orleans. He also participated in the Court Jesters basketball/volleyball band and was a section leader for the award winning Goin’ Band from Raiderland. While in Lubbock, Mr. Mac was on staff at Youth Orchestras of Lubbock and was honored to be chosen for the inaugural staff of the Lubbock Youth Wind Ensemble. He was also on staff at Texas Tech Band and Orchestra Camp for several years.
During his time in Mason, Mr. Mac taught 5th-12th grade band. He started two jazz ensembles, various community outreach programs, and a thriving student leadership program. While there, Mason bands increased almost 25% in size and ratings improved across the board.
In the summer of 2019, Joseph moved North to marry the love of his life. He currently resides in Fort Worth and spends his free time playing and watching basketball, playing xbox, and hiking with his wife Sarah and dog Luke.
Hunter Corder - STEAM MS Assistant Band Director
Hunter Corder is excited about beginning his first year as an Assistant Band Director for the STEAM/GDDS band program. His duties include directing the Symphonic Band and teaching beginning flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, and tuba classes.
Mr. Corder grew up in Azle, Texas, where he was a member of the inaugural Azle Indoor Winds program. After graduating high school, he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas, receiving the Summa Cum Laude honors. Throughout his time at UNT, he was a performing member of the Wind Ensemble, the North Texas Green Brigade Marching Band, and UNT’s Flute Choir. Additionally, Mr. Corder was a marching technician for the Azle Marching Band and Azle Indoor Winds during college. During his last semester before receiving his degree, Mr. Corder completed his student teaching at Aledo ISD under the guidance of Joey Paul, Joey Qualls, Jake Albin, Alan Olmos, Dexx Moore, Mike Robinson, and Mark Eastin.
Mr. Corder currently resides in Azle, Texas. When not at school, he spends his free time reading, listening to music, binging shows on Netflix, and spending time with family and friends.