Heather Becker
Director of Bands
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Heather Becker is in her 10th year as the Director of Bands at Hudson Middle
School. Mrs. Becker has consistently led the Wind Symphony to sweepstakes ratings at the UIL Concert & Sightreading Evaluation and has seen the entire program grow by 150%. In 2019, she led the Symphonic Band to their first ever sweepstakes rating at the UIL Concert & Sightreading Evaluation. They are the first Sub Non-Varsity band to earn this award in Garland ISD band history. Mrs. Becker is the Camp Director of the GISD Middle School Summer Band Camp, has served as the lead teacher for the middle school band department in GISD, serves as the Secretary of Region 3 for the Texas Music Educators Association, and is the Fine Arts department chair for Hudson Middle School. Mrs. Becker is active as a clinician in the DFW area and around the state. She enjoys mentoring young teachers and is excited to help inspire the next generation of band directors.
Prior to her appointment at Hudson, Mrs. Becker taught for seven years at North Mesquite High School. At North Mesquite, she taught the Symphonic Band and assisted with the Wind Ensemble . Under her direction, the Symphonic Band attended the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest for the first time in 15 years and earned multiple Sweepstakes awards at UIL. The Symphonic Band also earned exclusively Superior Ratings at the Peak Music Festival Contest. In addition to her band directing duties at North Mesquite, Mrs. Becker taught beginning woodwind classes at McDonald and Vanston Middle Schools and served as the color guard coordinator at NMHS.
She is a 2007 graduate of Baylor University in Waco, TX and holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. At Baylor, Mrs. Becker served as Drum Major and Student Staff Assistant of the Golden Wave Marching Band. Mrs. Becker performed with almost every instrumental ensemble at Baylor, including the Wind Ensemble under Dr. Eric Wilson and the Symphony Orchestra under Mr. Stephen Heyde. Mrs. Becker studied clarinet with Dr. Richard Shanley. From 2006-2007 Mrs. Becker also served as the Vice President of the College Student Section of the Texas Music Educators Association.
Mrs. Becker has two sons, Benjamin (11), and Andrew (7). They are the light of her life and her favorite job is being their mom. Her husband, David Becker, is a band director in the Richardson ISD. David and Heather enjoy bringing Ben and Andrew to band functions and are excited to eventually teach them an instrument! In her spare time, Mrs. Becker enjoys traveling, reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time with her family.
Professional affiliations include: Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association
Dan Urban
Assistant Band Director
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Dan Urban is in his 22nd year as the Assistant Band Director at Hudson Middle School. He teaches the Honors Band and beginner trombone, euphonium, and tuba classes. Before teaching at Hudson, Mr. Urban taught private tuba, euphonium, and trombone lessons to students in the Spring, Klein Oak, Lewisville, Richardson and Plano ISD’s, starting in 1990. He continues to teach privately and performs in ensembles in the Dallas area in addition to his teaching duties at Hudson.
Mr. Urban received his Bachelor of Music degree in Tuba Performance, from Rice University in Houston, Texas, in 1993. His teacher and greatest musical inspiration, is David Kirk, Principal Tuba, Houston Symphony. While there, he shared orchestral tuba responsibilities in the Shepherd School Symphony, under Larry Rachleff. He was also Principal Tuba of the Campanile Orchestra from 1990-1993, under David Colson. In addition, Mr. Urban gave many recitals featuring the world premieres of many 20th century solo tuba works by composition majors.
Mr. Urban continued his studies in Boston, Massachusetts, earning his Master of Music degree in Tuba Performance, with Honors, from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1995. His teacher was Chester Schmitz, Principal Tuba Boston Symphony and Boston Pops, retired. While there, he was Principal Tuba of the New England Conservatory Symphony and the Excalibur Brass, the music school’s top brass quintet. The Excalibur Brass was called upon to perform for such patrons as the Kennedy family, Harry Ellis Dickson, the Boston Museum of Art, the Gardner Museum and film composer John Williams. Mr. Urban was fortunate to be able to perform in orchestras under the direction of many world class conductors, such as Seiji Ozawa, Stanislav Skrowaczewski, and Simon Rattle. Mr. Urban also performed and recorded with the NEC Wind Ensemble under Frank Battisti and the Jordan Winds under Don Palma. He is proud of the CD recording featuring the music of Grainger, Zappa, Hindemith and Revueltas (Lincolnshire Posy, Dog Breath Variations, Symphony in B-flat and Homage to Garcia Lorca).
Mr. Urban is not a native Texan; he grew up and attended Mount Miguel High School in San Diego, California, where he was a three time All-State tuba player. Mr. Urban has two beautiful daughters, Katherine,18, a clarinetist and Elizabeth,16, a hornist. His wonderful wife, Pamelia, formerly of the President’s US Army Field Band, teaches private clarinet lessons to many students in the Plano and Wylie ISD’s. The Urban family lives in Wylie with their basset hound, Charlotte.
Mr. Urban received his Bachelor of Music degree in Tuba Performance, from Rice University in Houston, Texas, in 1993. His teacher and greatest musical inspiration, is David Kirk, Principal Tuba, Houston Symphony. While there, he shared orchestral tuba responsibilities in the Shepherd School Symphony, under Larry Rachleff. He was also Principal Tuba of the Campanile Orchestra from 1990-1993, under David Colson. In addition, Mr. Urban gave many recitals featuring the world premieres of many 20th century solo tuba works by composition majors.
Mr. Urban continued his studies in Boston, Massachusetts, earning his Master of Music degree in Tuba Performance, with Honors, from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1995. His teacher was Chester Schmitz, Principal Tuba Boston Symphony and Boston Pops, retired. While there, he was Principal Tuba of the New England Conservatory Symphony and the Excalibur Brass, the music school’s top brass quintet. The Excalibur Brass was called upon to perform for such patrons as the Kennedy family, Harry Ellis Dickson, the Boston Museum of Art, the Gardner Museum and film composer John Williams. Mr. Urban was fortunate to be able to perform in orchestras under the direction of many world class conductors, such as Seiji Ozawa, Stanislav Skrowaczewski, and Simon Rattle. Mr. Urban also performed and recorded with the NEC Wind Ensemble under Frank Battisti and the Jordan Winds under Don Palma. He is proud of the CD recording featuring the music of Grainger, Zappa, Hindemith and Revueltas (Lincolnshire Posy, Dog Breath Variations, Symphony in B-flat and Homage to Garcia Lorca).
Mr. Urban is not a native Texan; he grew up and attended Mount Miguel High School in San Diego, California, where he was a three time All-State tuba player. Mr. Urban has two beautiful daughters, Katherine,18, a clarinetist and Elizabeth,16, a hornist. His wonderful wife, Pamelia, formerly of the President’s US Army Field Band, teaches private clarinet lessons to many students in the Plano and Wylie ISD’s. The Urban family lives in Wylie with their basset hound, Charlotte.
Ryan Neff
Assistant Band Director
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Mr. Neff is in his very 1st year of education, and is extremely excited to be a part of the Hudson Hawks team. Prior to GISD, Mr. Neff gained experience teaching in the Houston area at Dulles Middle and High School in Sugarland, under the mentorship of Edward Odeh and Arnel Dayrit. He values the experience greatly and always says that he would not be the same educator that he is today without their leadership and mentorship. He was able to proudly end the semester by receiving an award for outstanding performance at a student teacher in the 2022-2023 year.
Mr. Neff received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in 2023. Mr. Neff received invaluable experiences and teachings at Baylor, where he was able to study under some great teachers such as Wiff Rudd, Alex Parker, Mark Schubert, Dr. Eric Wilson, Dr. Isaiah Odajima, and many more. Throughout his time at Baylor, Mr. Neff played the Trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble every year, as well as both the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble. Some of his favorite performance experiences include his trip with the Jazz Ensemble to Scotland in the Summer of 2022, and his performance with the Wind Ensemble at the Chicago Midwest Clinic in December of 2022.
Mr. Neff grew up in Katy right outside of Houston where he attended James E. Taylor High School. Mr. Neff currently lives with his girlfriend, Katie Love, and their two cats, Mando and Margot, who he loves very much. Some of his favorite things to do outside of music include reading novels, playing video games, and watching movies.
Mr. Neff received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in 2023. Mr. Neff received invaluable experiences and teachings at Baylor, where he was able to study under some great teachers such as Wiff Rudd, Alex Parker, Mark Schubert, Dr. Eric Wilson, Dr. Isaiah Odajima, and many more. Throughout his time at Baylor, Mr. Neff played the Trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble every year, as well as both the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble. Some of his favorite performance experiences include his trip with the Jazz Ensemble to Scotland in the Summer of 2022, and his performance with the Wind Ensemble at the Chicago Midwest Clinic in December of 2022.
Mr. Neff grew up in Katy right outside of Houston where he attended James E. Taylor High School. Mr. Neff currently lives with his girlfriend, Katie Love, and their two cats, Mando and Margot, who he loves very much. Some of his favorite things to do outside of music include reading novels, playing video games, and watching movies.
Garrett Tucker
Percussion Instructor - Sachse HS Percussion Director & Assistant Band Director
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Percussion Instructor - Sachse HS Percussion Director & Assistant Band Director
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Mr. Tucker is in his 3rd year as the Director of Percussion Studies for the Sachse High School cluster. Prior to his appointment with GISD, Mr. Tucker has taught at Terrell ISD and was also the percussion paraprofessional for the Centennial High School cluster in Frisco, TX. Mr. Tucker has also taught at Richardson ISD, Crandall ISD, and Wylie ISD.
As a performer Mr. Tucker competed in the Drum Corps International World Championships with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2014. He is also associated with the Sherman Symphony, DAAYO, and has performed as an artist for the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).
Mr. Tucker received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of North Texas where he was able to perform with the UNT Symphony Orchestra, Two O' Clock Steel Band, UNT Percussion Ensemble, Gamelan Ensemble, Afro-Cuban Ensemble, and served as principal percussionist for the UNT Wind Ensemble.
Mr. Tucker enjoys binge watching TV shows, eating Tex-Mex, and playing music in his spare time.
As a performer Mr. Tucker competed in the Drum Corps International World Championships with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2014. He is also associated with the Sherman Symphony, DAAYO, and has performed as an artist for the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).
Mr. Tucker received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of North Texas where he was able to perform with the UNT Symphony Orchestra, Two O' Clock Steel Band, UNT Percussion Ensemble, Gamelan Ensemble, Afro-Cuban Ensemble, and served as principal percussionist for the UNT Wind Ensemble.
Mr. Tucker enjoys binge watching TV shows, eating Tex-Mex, and playing music in his spare time.
Sue Manaois
Assistant Percussion Director - Sachse HS Assistant Percussion Director
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Assistant Percussion Director - Sachse HS Assistant Percussion Director
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Mrs. Manaois is in her 3rd year at Sachse High School as the Assistant Percussion Director. After working as a professional musician for many years she went back to school and earned her Texas teaching certificate. She joined Sachse High School as the percussion Specialist for the Spring 2021 term.
When she first moved to the Dallas area Mrs. Manaois worked at the University of North Texas as a music librarian. After her boys, Zach and Ben, were born she decided to work exclusively as a freelance percussionist so she could devote more time to raising her kids. She has performed all over Texas, as well as travelling to Oklahoma, Louisiana, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Taiwan and Vancouver, Canada playing Caribbean steel drum music. Mrs. Manaois continues to be an active performer playing Caribbean and orchestral percussion jobs in the DFW area.
Mrs. Manaois received a Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from the University of Delaware and a Master of Music in music history from Northern Illinois University. She also earned a Master of Arts in Library Science from Northern Illinois University. While living in the Chicago area Mrs. Manaois worked as a college librarian at Wheaton College, Columbia College Chicago and The College of DuPage and taught classes in world music and music appreciation at both Northern Illinois University and Waubonsee Community College. She also worked as a freelance musician playing Caribbean steel pan and orchestral percussion jobs in the Chicagoland area.
Mrs. Manaois grew up in New Jersey in the Philadelphia area. She and her family currently live in Plano with their dog Simon. She loves to travel and has travelled extensively both internationally and within the US. Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, and attending live music performances and she loves spending time at the beach with friends and family.
When she first moved to the Dallas area Mrs. Manaois worked at the University of North Texas as a music librarian. After her boys, Zach and Ben, were born she decided to work exclusively as a freelance percussionist so she could devote more time to raising her kids. She has performed all over Texas, as well as travelling to Oklahoma, Louisiana, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Taiwan and Vancouver, Canada playing Caribbean steel drum music. Mrs. Manaois continues to be an active performer playing Caribbean and orchestral percussion jobs in the DFW area.
Mrs. Manaois received a Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from the University of Delaware and a Master of Music in music history from Northern Illinois University. She also earned a Master of Arts in Library Science from Northern Illinois University. While living in the Chicago area Mrs. Manaois worked as a college librarian at Wheaton College, Columbia College Chicago and The College of DuPage and taught classes in world music and music appreciation at both Northern Illinois University and Waubonsee Community College. She also worked as a freelance musician playing Caribbean steel pan and orchestral percussion jobs in the Chicagoland area.
Mrs. Manaois grew up in New Jersey in the Philadelphia area. She and her family currently live in Plano with their dog Simon. She loves to travel and has travelled extensively both internationally and within the US. Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, and attending live music performances and she loves spending time at the beach with friends and family.
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