LARA WHITEHOUSE - Director of Bands, CTMS
Lara Whitehouse is entering her fourteenth year of teaching and is the newly appointed Director of Bands at Cross Timbers Middle School. At Cross Timbers Middle School, Ms. Whitehouse conducts the Honors Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, and teaches beginner trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba beginner classes.
Prior to joining GCISD and Cross Timber Middle School, Ms. Whitehouse served as a band director in Irving ISD, Duncanville ISD, and spent the majority of her career teaching in Highland Park ISD at Highland Park Middle School and McCulloch Intermediate School. During her time in Highland Park, the HPMS bands earned consistent first divisions ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contests and were named a Commended Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Contest. The bands also received unanimous superior ratings at a variety of festivals and contests. In addition to teaching at MIS/HPMS, she also assisted with the Highland Park High School “Highlander” Marching Band. Ms. Whitehouse was a recipient of the “Heart at Work Award” in HPISD for the 2019-2020 school year. Before joining the HPISD band staff, she served on the band staff at Richardson High School.
Ms. Whitehouse holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Ms. Whitehouse has served on the Texas Music Educators Association State Board as the Region 20 Secretary and currently serves as the secretary for Region 31. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.
Prior to joining GCISD and Cross Timber Middle School, Ms. Whitehouse served as a band director in Irving ISD, Duncanville ISD, and spent the majority of her career teaching in Highland Park ISD at Highland Park Middle School and McCulloch Intermediate School. During her time in Highland Park, the HPMS bands earned consistent first divisions ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contests and were named a Commended Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Contest. The bands also received unanimous superior ratings at a variety of festivals and contests. In addition to teaching at MIS/HPMS, she also assisted with the Highland Park High School “Highlander” Marching Band. Ms. Whitehouse was a recipient of the “Heart at Work Award” in HPISD for the 2019-2020 school year. Before joining the HPISD band staff, she served on the band staff at Richardson High School.
Ms. Whitehouse holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Ms. Whitehouse has served on the Texas Music Educators Association State Board as the Region 20 Secretary and currently serves as the secretary for Region 31. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.
KEVIN CANTU - Associate Band Director
Email: kevin.cantu@gcisd.net
Office Phone Number: 817-251-5341
Office Phone Number: 817-251-5341
Kevin Cantu is the newly appointed Associate Band Director at Cross Timbers Middle School. Mr. Cantu is entering his third year of teaching. Prior to joining the CTMS band staff, Mr. Cantu taught at Keller Middle School and Bear Creek Intermediate School in Keller, Texas. During his time in Keller, he directed the Concert Band and taught beginner woodwind classes.
Mr. Cantu is a native of Abilene, Texas. He is a proud alumnus of the University of Oklahoma, he holds degrees in Music Education and Clarinet Performance. Mr. Cantu currently serves in the United States Army Reserve as a member of the 395th Army Band where he plays clarinet and saxophone. In his spare time, he enjoys doing crossfit, running, and exploring the Fort Worth area with his dog, Chacha.
Mr. Cantu looks forward to working closely with Ms. Whitehouse and the parent community to create the best band experience for the students in the CTMS bands!
Mr. Cantu is a native of Abilene, Texas. He is a proud alumnus of the University of Oklahoma, he holds degrees in Music Education and Clarinet Performance. Mr. Cantu currently serves in the United States Army Reserve as a member of the 395th Army Band where he plays clarinet and saxophone. In his spare time, he enjoys doing crossfit, running, and exploring the Fort Worth area with his dog, Chacha.
Mr. Cantu looks forward to working closely with Ms. Whitehouse and the parent community to create the best band experience for the students in the CTMS bands!
RICK DREWRY - Director of Percussion, GHS
Email: richard.drewry@gcisd.net
Office Phone Number: 817-251-3117
Office Phone Number: 817-251-3117
Rick Drewry is joining the Grapevine Mustang Band Family from Spring, TX where he served as Percussion Director and Assistant Band Director at Conroe ISD's newest high school Grand Oaks. He is the primary front ensemble technician for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and a front ensemble instructor for Monarch Independent indoor percussion ensemble.
Mr. Drewry is originally from Nashville, TN and received a bachelor's in music education from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While attending his undergrad, Mr. Drewry had the privilege of performing three seasons with The Cavaliers (2012-2014) and one season with Music City Mystique (2014). Mr. Drewry also holds a masters in performance from the University of Texas at Austin where he studied with marimba virtuoso Dr. Thomas Burritt and Prof. Tony Edwards, Principal Timpanist for the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Before coming to Grapevine, Mr. Drewry was lucky enough to work with and learn from a few very successful high school programs, such as The Woodlands High School, Cy-Fair High School Indoor Drumline, and Lake Travis High School.
Mr. Drewry is BEYOND excited for this incredible opportunity to join the band staff as Director of Percussion for Grapevine High School. Mr. Drewry and Pikachu (his chinchilla), and Hei Hei, Cleo (his birds) are excited for new adventures at Grapevine High School and Cross Timbers!
Mr. Drewry is originally from Nashville, TN and received a bachelor's in music education from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While attending his undergrad, Mr. Drewry had the privilege of performing three seasons with The Cavaliers (2012-2014) and one season with Music City Mystique (2014). Mr. Drewry also holds a masters in performance from the University of Texas at Austin where he studied with marimba virtuoso Dr. Thomas Burritt and Prof. Tony Edwards, Principal Timpanist for the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Before coming to Grapevine, Mr. Drewry was lucky enough to work with and learn from a few very successful high school programs, such as The Woodlands High School, Cy-Fair High School Indoor Drumline, and Lake Travis High School.
Mr. Drewry is BEYOND excited for this incredible opportunity to join the band staff as Director of Percussion for Grapevine High School. Mr. Drewry and Pikachu (his chinchilla), and Hei Hei, Cleo (his birds) are excited for new adventures at Grapevine High School and Cross Timbers!