Denton ISD Fine Arts
Empowering Artistic Growth. Every Student. Every Day.
The Texas All-State audition process, through the Texas Music Educators Association, begins throughout the state in each of the TMEA Regions. Individual musicians perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part. From this ranking, a select group of musicians advances from their Region to TMEA Area competitions and from there the highest-ranking qualify to perform in a TMEA All-State music group. These All-State student musicians participate in three days of rehearsals during the annual state TMEA Clinic/Convention, and their performances before thousands of attendees bring this extraordinary event to a close.
Denton ISD is very proud to announce that 11 of its high school music students earned positions in a 2021-22 TMEA All-State Band, Choir, or Orchestra. Congratulations to the outstanding students listed below for this incredible accomplishment and for all of their preparation and growth throughout each level of the audition process. Many thanks to their parents, their directors, and their private lesson teachers who supported, taught, and encouraged them all along the way.
Best wishes in your performances at the TMEA State Clinic/Convention in February. We are proud of you for representing Denton ISD on the state level stage!
Braswell HS Band
Directors: Aaron Snipes III, Taylor Sitzman, and Alan Miller
Aidan Evano, All-State Jazz Ensemble 2 Trumpet
Denton HS Band
Directors: Brian Wilson, Jesse Woolery, and Phillip Elder
Caleb Harold, 5A All-State Band Horn
Marco Illari, 5A All-State Band Horn
Denton HS Choir
Directors: Kaitlyn Candler and Emilio Sanchez
Margaret Nicholson, All-State Mixed Choir Alto 2
Guyer HS Choir
Directors: Katherine Engle and Tyler Fox
Claire Gillman, All-State Mixed Choir Soprano 2
Luke Knittle, All-State Mixed Choir Bass 2
Guyer HS Orchestra
Directors: Michelle Hanlon and Sarah Wright
Sofia D'Aquilio, All-State Orchestra Harp
Audrey Lee, All-State Orchestra Violin 1
Christian Luevano, All-State Orchestra String Bass
Ryan HS Band
Directors: Mary Brown, Jarrod Beard, and Frank Chapple
Rafael Gonzalez, 5A All-State Band Clarinet
Cooper Randolph, 5A All-State Band Contrabass Clarinet
DISD All-State Dancers
Rachel Simpson, GHS
Kristina Shelburne, BHS
Jamitrice Keating-Lynton, DHS
Lauren Uddin, GHS
DISD Dance Teachers
Four of Denton ISD's dance teachers were awarded service pins from TDEA. Congratulations to Rachel Simpson (15 years), Kristina Shelburne (10 years), Jamitrice Keating-Lynton (5 years), and Lauren Uddin (5 years). Many thanks to all of our outstanding dance teachers for their amazing service to the students of Denton ISD and congratulations to our All-State Dance Team students:
Braswell HS Dance
Directors: Kristina Shelburne and Jessica Johnston
All-State Dance Team: Allison Hodges
Denton HS Dance
Directors: Kerri Burgess and Jamitrice Keating-Lynton
All-State Dance Team: Reagan Shugart
Guyer HS Dance
Directors: Rachel Simpson and Lauren Uddin
All-State Dance Team: Abriel Vielma
Ryan HS Dance
Directors: Keli Jones and Emily Schaefer
All-State Dance Team: KayLeigh Post
The cheer teams from Braswell, Denton, Guyer, and Ryan High School competed in the UIL State Cheer Championships that took place at the Fort Worth Convention Center, January 13-15. UIL Spirit is an extracurricular activity that focuses on the traditional game day role cheerleaders have on the sidelines and in schools supporting athletic teams. At the UIL Spirit State Championships, schools compete in three categories: crowd leading, fight song, and band dance. This was the first year that all four of Denton ISD's high schools have participated in the UIL State Contest. We are extremely proud of our cheerleaders and cheer coaches!
Braswell HS Cheer: Allie Stewart and Jeanne Hicks
Denton HS Cheer: Jeannette Krupp and Emily Morales
Guyer HS Cheer: Brooke West and Shelby Reder
Ryan HS Cheer: Megan Sharp and Monica Gajewski
Adopt-A-School Art and Essay Contest Winners
Art, Music, and Theatre Programs Preparing for VASE and UIL Events
DISD's band, choir, and orchestra programs are preparing for the UIL Concert and Sight-reading Evaluation and Solo and Ensemble Contests. Theatre programs are preparing for the UIL One Act Play and Theatrical Design Contests. To learn more about these UIL and VASE events, click on the links above. DISD's Fine Arts programs have a tradition of excellence in VASE and UIL evaluations and contests. We wish all of our students and teachers the best in these upcoming events!
Jan 29 - HS Orchestra UIL Region 2 Solo & Ensemble at Lewisville HS
Feb 5 - HS Art VASE Region 11 North
Feb 5 - MS Theatre UIL One Act Play Contest at Braswell HS
Feb 18 - 6A Theatre UIL District One Act Play Contest at Braswell HS
Feb 24-25 - HS-MS Orchestra UIL Region 2 Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation at Guyer HS
Feb 26 - HS Band & Choir UIL Region 2 Solo and Ensemble Contests
Mar 1 - MS Choir UIL Region 2 Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation at Denton HS
Mar 2-3 - 5A Theatre UIL Zone One Act Play Contest at Northwest HS
Mar 7-8 - MS Band UIL Region 2 Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation at Lake Dallas HS
Apr 9 - MS Art Jr-VASE Region 11 North
Apr 12 - HS Choir UIL Region 2 Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation at Lewisville HS
Apr 20-22 - HS Band UIL Region 2 Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation at Hebron HS
Denton ISD is in need of bus drivers for special events, such as Fine Arts events and field trips. Denton ISD has created a new job description titled, “Bus Driver-Special Events”. This type of driver will be paid $18-$20 per hour to drive groups to field trips, contests, and after school/weekend events. This is an excellent, flexible part-time job and a way to serve students in Denton ISD. We encourage Denton ISD volunteers and PTA members to consider applying for this as an option to serve the students and programs in Denton ISD, and also to gain some extra income! Visit the link below to view the job posting in Applitrack and please share it with anyone who would be interested.
Candidates need to earn their CDL, which can be done locally. The Denton ISD Transportation Department can provide information on how to achieve the requirements in order to qualify as a driver. Once hired as a Bus Driver-Special Events, they could drive groups to field trips, contests, and events, getting students and their teachers/chaperones to their destination safely and on time. This important work makes Fine Arts contests and events possible and contributes greatly to the educational experience of our students. Please share the Applitrack link above with anyone who would be interested in this opportunity.
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Denton ISD Fine Arts
Dr. Jackie deMontmollin, Director
Eddy Russell, Assistant Director
Steve Bonham, Administrative Assistant
Becky Taylor, Administrative Assistant
Email: sbonham@dentonisd.org
Website: https://www.dentonisd.org/finearts
Location: 230 N. Mayhill Rd, Denton, TX 76208
Phone: 940-369-0228