Burleson High School band directors
Phillip Cadenhead - Director of Bands
Phillip Cadenhead is joining Burleson High school as the new Director of Bands and Fine Arts Area Coordinator. He is coming from Juan Seguin High School where he has served as Director of Bands since July 2017. Prior to his appointment at Seguin, he was Director of Bands at Western Hills High School in Fort Worth. He has previously served as band director at Red Oak High School, Barnett Junior High, and Mesquite High School.
Originally from Crestview, Florida, Mr. Cadenhead earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Louisiana State University, where he studied under the baton of Frank Wickes and Dr. Linda Moorhouse, and studied euphonium with Larry Campbell and Dr. Joseph Skillen. He then earned a Master of Music Education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Educational Administration from Lamar University.
Before joining Region 30, Mr. Cadenhead served as Vice President and then President of TMEA Region 20. He is an active clinician and UIL adjudicator in the North Texas area. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Bands under Mr. Cadenhead’s direction have consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes awards. His marching bands have been frequent finalists at invitational marching contests, and his concert bands have received “Best in Class” honors at the South Coast Music Festival, Winter Park Ski Music Festival, and the Pride of New Orleans Music Festival. His jazz bands have also achieved top honors, including being named Grand Champion at the Winter Park Ski Music Festival.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mr. Cadenhead is an avid CrossFit enthusiast who enjoys coaching and competing in local, regional, and national competitions. He enjoys traveling with his wife, Lindsay, and their two sons, Alex and Ashton. Mrs. Cadenhead, was a band director for 10 years, before working in Curriculum and Instruction. She now works in the Office of Extended Education at TCU while also serving as a local real estate agent. Their older son, Alex, is a music education major and trumpet section leader at TCU, and currently marches lead trumpet with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum Corps. Ashton, their younger son, is entering his senior year as Drum Major for the Mansfield High School Tiger Band. Rounding out the family is their goldendoodle, Ben, who does not currently play any instruments.
Matt Garrett - Associate Director of Bands
Matt Garrett is originally from Mesquite, TX, where he attended Poteet HS. Mr. Garrett holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University and a Master’s degree in Conducting from TCU.
For the last 10 years Mr. Garrett has been the Assistant Director of Bands and the Director of Athletic Bands at TCU. He directed the TCU Horned Frog Marching Band, TCU Basketball Band and TCU Concert Band. He also taught Music Education and Marching Band methods courses as well as supervised student teachers.
Prior to coming to TCU, Mr. Garrett taught in the public school system for 15 years. Most recently, Mr. Garrett was the Director of Bands at Lake Ridge HS in Mansfield, TX. In 2013, the Lake Ridge HS Marching Band won the Area B 5A contest and advanced to the Texas State Marching Band Contest where they earned a Finalist position. Mr. Garrett is also a very active visual designer for marching bands and winter guards. Marching bands using his designs have advanced to the Texas State Marching Contest several times, including several finals appearances. Winter guards using his designs have been multiple time WGI World Championship Finalists.
In addition to his experience as a Band Director, Mr. Garrett was on the Instructional staff of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and was the Director and Designer for the Ars Nova Winter Guard program. Mr. Garrett is married to Leslie Garrett and they reside in Fort Worth, TX. Mr. Garrett is a dedicated runner and triathlete and has completed the Boston Marathon several times!
Bao Tran
Bao Tran serves as the Percussion Director at Burleson High School. Mr. Tran is originally fromRome, GA. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from East Texas A&M University. He studied
with Brian Zator, Jeff Ausdemore, Lauren Teel, Tanner Leonardo, Sandi Rennick, Kent Hillman, Clint Gillespie, Matthew Jordan, and Andrew Lynge.
As an educator, Mr. Tran is passionate about inspiring young musicians. He believes in building not only strong percussionists, but well-rounded individuals. I’m excited to continue building a family-like culture and environment for our students.
Mr. Tran has an extensive background in the marching arts and percussion performance. He has performed with elite ensembles such as The Cavaliers, Blue Stars, Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps, and Atlanta Quest Indoor Drumline. During his academic career, he was an active member of the Marching Southerners, Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, and Panimation Steel Band.
His performance accolades include winning the East Texas A&M University Concerto Competition (Percussion Division), the prestigious Black Swamp College Snare Competition, and being part of the winning team at the International Percussion Ensemble Competition (IPEC) with East Texas A&M University in 2023.
Outside of teaching, Mr. Tran enjoys discovering new foods, playing video games, and indulging in his favorite candy—Hi-Chew and Cappuccino Kopiko.
Dwayne Stokley - Color Guard Director
Dwayne.Stokley@bisdmail.net
Dwayne Stokley, a native of East Tennessee, has been involved with the Marching Band and Pageantry Arts for most of his life. While attending East Tennessee State University, Mr. Stokley was the director of the color guard and Winterguard there as well as numerous groups in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois and Wisconsin.
During his time in the Midwest, he was the Guard director at UW Whitewater as well as Whitnall High School, a consistent State Band and Color guard champion at the WSMA State Marching contest and WGI semi- finalists.
Mr. Stokley came to Texas in 2000 and has been involved with Arlington and Fort Worth bands and Winterguards, producing numerous successful programs. Under his direction, the Seguin HS Winterguard earned the bronze medal in 2018, and earned the gold medal in 2019 at the NTCA Winterguard Championships.
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.
Jacqueline Lum - Hughes MS Assistant Band Director
Jacqueline Lum is excited to start her 3rd year teaching at Hughes Middle School in Burleson ISD. Ms. Lum 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.
Ms. Lum comes to us from A.D Wheat Middle School in Cleburne ISD where she taught a variety of beginner classes and multiple performing ensembles. Ms. Lum began her career as a long-term substitute for Acton Middle School in Granbury ISD and then Hughes Middle School in Burleson ISD where she assisted with their UIL, prepared her own group to perform at the North Texas Festival of Distinction, and taught beginner classes.
Ms. Lum graduated Cum Laude from The University of Texas at Arlington where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music. While at UTA, she spent her summers being on instructional staff at Legacy High School, Castleberry High School, Ranchview High School, and Burleson High School.
In 2018, Ms. Lum marched Mellophone with the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. Ms. Lum’s professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association and Tau Beta Sigma.
She resides in Burleson, Texas with her partner and puppy, Poppy. In her spare time Ms. Lum likes to do anything crafty, go on walks and hangout with friends and family.
Joseph McPherson - STEAM MS Head Band Director
Joseph McPherson is proud to be entering his 6th 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.
S. Michelle Slayton - STEAM MS Assistant Band Director
Stephanie.Slayton@bisdmail.net
S. Michelle Slayton is the Assistant Director of Bands for STEAM & GDDS in Burleson ISD. This will be her first year in Burleson. She will teach beginning band classes, direct the Symphonic Band, and assist with the Honors Band.
Prior to coming to BISD, Ms. Slayton served as the Head Middle School Band Director of Godley ISD where she directed the MS Honor Band and the HS Symphonic Band, along with assisting with HS marching band. She was also the Director of Bands for Gentry Public Schools and was the Head Middle School Band Director at Siloam Springs Public Schools in Arkansas. Her bands have earned Superior ratings at Region Assessment, Solo and Ensemble, as well as placed in All-Region and All-State bands.
Ms. Slayton earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arkansas where she performed in Carnegie Hall with the University of Arkansas Wind Symphony. She also marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland with the Razorback Marching Band. While at the University of Arkansas, Ms. Slayton studied under W. Dale Warren, Tim Gunter, Robert Umiker and Stan Morris. She was a member of Tau Beta Sigma and Sigma Alpha Iota sororities.
Ms. Slayton earned her Masters of Music degree from Missouri State University where she performed with the Missouri State University Wind Ensemble at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. She studied with Belva Prather, Jerry Hoover, and Mike Lomax.
Ms. Slayton is a member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Women Band Directors International, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and performs with the Mansfield Wind Symphony.