The Directors:
Lee Smith - Director of Bands Connally ISD
While teaching at both Trinity High School in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District (ISD) and Ryan High School in the Denton (ISD) for more than 15 years, I gained broad experience teaching music grades 6th-12th in concert band, and marching band, including design, instruction, composition and arranging. I had the privilege of being on the staff of a finalist band at the Area A & C Marching Band contests in the Texas UIL 4A, 5A, and 6A classifications. I have experience in composition and arranging for winds and percussion, and I have been on arranging and design staffs for UIL State Marching Band Finalists and Winter Guard International (WGI) Champions. I studied conducting and Wind Band Literature with Professor Dennis Fisher and Professor Eugene Corporon at the University of North Texas. It was an honor and privilege to graduate from Southern Methodist University Graduate program for Music Education studying with Jack Delaney, Brian Merrill, Lynn Jackson and Dr. Sarah Allen. It has been a tremendous opportunity to learn and expand my knowledge in band pedagogy and ensemble rehearsal techniques, as well as current research related to the classroom. I love spending time with my family and my Boxer puppies!
Michelle Castelli - Visual / Guard Director for Connally Bands
I join Connally for my 8th year with the Band program as Visual/Guard instructor. I was also a History teacher on the High School Campus from 2015-2020. During my first two years with Connally I was a visual and marching tech then took over the position of Guard instructor in the Spring of 2018. I started my journey teaching Colorguard in the summer of 2006 at Lake Dallas High School in Corinth, Texas followed by Timber Creek High School in Ft. Worth from 2010 to 2013 before moving to Waco in 2014. I was fortunate to march Colorguard and Winterguard at Lewisville High School in Lewisville, Texas as well as two summers in DCI (Drum Corps International). I have marched both Guard and Drumline positions in high school marching band and in DCI. I have been blessed to be taught by some of the best in their fields. While teaching at Lake Dallas and Timber Creek, both Winterguards were extremely successful. Each placed 1st at numerous contests with Timber Creek receiving 1st place at Championships. I am also pleased that Connally Winterguard has had equal success, placing 2nd at several contests as well as placing 2nd at Championships in 2020. Band isn’t just an extracurricular activity, it's an art that opens the mind to a whole new world of possibilities. It has taught me how to be successful and to be the best version of myself possible. I continue to dedicate my time to teaching Guard in hopes that I can instill some of those same life lessons and confidence into my Band and Guard students.
Clint Ladd - Director at Connally Jr. High
Grant Saltar - Assistant Director at Connally Jr . High