Ann G. Smith –

Director of Orchestras at

Plano East Senior High School

ann.smith@pisd.edu

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.

Kelton Burnside –

Associate Director of Orchestras at

Plano East Senior High School

kelton.burnside@pisd.edu

Mr. Burnside is from Camillus, a town outside of Syracuse in Upstate New York. He began studying the piano at age six privately and then the cello at age 7 through his school’s orchestra program. In high school, Mr. Burnside was a member of his school’s orchestra and string quartet and served as a substitute organist at local churches.

In 2018, Mr. Burnside graduated from Ithaca College Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. While at Ithaca College, he studied cello with Professors Elizabeth Simkin and Heidi Hoffman as well as organ with Professor Jean Radice. He also pursued academic interests in chamber music, Hungarian Folk music, and conducting. In Spring 2018, Mr. Burnside co-conducted the Ithaca College Gamer Symphony Orchestra, a campus-wide ensemble dedicated to performing musical works from video games.

Mr. Burnside is enjoying his time teaching in Plano ISD as the Associate Director of Orchestras at Plano East Senior High School. Previously, he was the Associate Orchestra Director at Hendrick and Schimelpfenig Middle Schools.

Mr. Burnside is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, American String Teachers Association, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.