Ann G. Smith –
Director of Orchestras at
Plano East Senior High School
Ann G. Smith began her orchestra training in Troy, Ohio, playing the violin at age twelve. Mrs. Smith studied music education at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated with a BME in 1994. Upon graduation, Mrs. Smith began her teaching career in the Fort Worth ISD, where she taught for four years at Paschal High School and McLean Middle School.
In 1998, she began work at Martin High School in Arlington ISD. During her nine years there, she worked with the Philharmonic and Concert II Orchestras to earn consistent sweepstakes ratings at UIL Orchestra Contest. Additionally, the Philharmonic Orchestra began performing as a full orchestra ensemble and was the first non-varsity full orchestra to participate in Region V UIL Orchestra Contest and receive a sweepstakes rating. This orchestra also earned division one ratings at many national orchestra festivals.
In 2010, Mrs. Smith completed her Masters of Music Education Degree and Performance Certificate in Conducting under the direction of Dr. Clifton Evans at the University of Texas at Arlington. During her studies at UTA, Mrs. Smith won a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, the TMEA Graduate Scholarship, and the Perry R. Bass Graduate Fellowship.
From 2008 to 2014, Ann Smith was the Director of Orchestras at Flower Mound High School. During her tenure there, the orchestras received consistent UIL Sweepstakes ratings and were named finalists in the TMEA Honor Orchestra Competition for several years. In 2013, the Flower Mound High School Chamber Orchestra was selected to perform at the 67th Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.
In 2014, Mrs. Smith continued working as Director of Orchestras in Plano ISD at Plano East Senior High School. In her time here at Plano East, the orchestras have seen growth and significant collaboration within the music department and won UIL Sweepstakes Ratings and 4th in TMEA Honor Orchestra in 2018 and 2020.
Mrs. Smith is currently VP and Orchestra Division Chair of the Texas Music Educators Association, a member of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the UIL PML New Music Committee. Additionally, she served as the Region 24 Orchestra Chair, Region V high school orchestra coordinator, and Region 24 Orchestra Division Secretary. Mrs. Smith also served as Associate Director of the String Orchestra with the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth.
Mrs. Smith has been married to her wonderful husband, Phil, for 27 years. She has two children, Andrew, 26, and Thomas, 22, and a beagle named Dodger. She likes to volunteer for her church, shop, and spend quality time with her family in her spare time.
Mariana Garcia –
Associate Director of Orchestras at
Plano East Senior High School
Mariana Garcia began her music career within the East Side Cluster of the Plano Independent School District as a beginner bassist. After graduating from Plano East Senior High School, she continued her musical studies and graduated with a degree in Music Education and a minor in Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, continuing her studies on double bass in the studios of Dr. Jack Unzicker and Professor Tyler Shepherd.
While studying her undergraduate degree at UT Arlington, Mariana served the UTA Symphony as principal bassist under Dr. Clifton Evans, and had the honor to perform with the Invited University Orchestra at the 2022 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention in San Antonio. Upon leaving the University she was awarded with the Outstanding Instrumental Music Educator Award.
She is an active member of TMEA and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA), and proudly serves at her alma mater, Plano East Senior HIgh School alongside Director of Orchestras, Ann G. Smith.
