Prior to joining the Marcus Band Staff, Mr. Jones served twelve years as Director of Bands at North Mesquite HS in Mesquite, Texas, and six years as an assistant director at Dr. Ralph H. Poteet High School. Musicians under Mr. Jones’ direction have received consistent UIL Sweepstakes awards and have been honored to perform in various places such as the Texas State Marching Contest, the Texas All-State Band, and on NPR’s nationally syndicated 'From the Top'.
Away from his active schedule as an adjudicator, clinician, and teacher, Mr. Jones enjoys spending his time working with students of all ages to increase their influence through his jonesLeadership consulting firm or can be found driving with the greats of our profession in his (wife’s) Honda Odyssey Minivan. You can learn more at LeadingTomorrowToday.com and MaestrosInMinivans.com.
Mr. Jones holds both Bachelor and Master’s Music Education Degrees from Texas Tech University, Summa Cum Laude, and The University of North Texas, Magna Cum Laude, respectively. Mr. Jones’ professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Association of Texas Professional Educators, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. He and his wife, Bethany, also a Lewisville ISD music educator, reside with their three children, Caitlyn, Esther, and Seth, in Highland Village, Texas.
As a performer, Wylie has earned acclaim on several percussive fronts. As a student he won the P.A.S. Collegiate Snare Drum title three times and was a runner up in the DCI Snare Drum Individual Competition. A member of the Disney All-American College Band, he has also performed as a mallet soloist with the Austin Symphony and San Angelo Symphony. Wylie is currently a free-lance performer in the Dallas-Ft.Worth area as the drummer for the Dallas based jazz group "Fingerprints". Mr. Wylie has performed with Bobby Lyle, Ronnie Laws, Freddie Ravel, Marion Meadows, Vic Duncan, Kyle Turner, and gospel artist Larnelle Harris. He was a featured soloist with the Marcus Wind Symphony at the 2007 Midwest Clinic.
Mr. Wylie composes and publishes quality percussion literature for the beginning percussionist, including the book "Simple Steps to Successful Beginning Percussion". He is active as a clinician and adjudicator and has presented clinics at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, The Midwest Clinic, the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. .
Mr. VandenBush received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Texas Christian University, Magna Cum Laude. While at TCU, he studied clarinet with Gary Whitman and performed with the TCU Wind Symphony for four years. Mr. VandenBush was a member of the Horned Frog Marching Band and had the privilege of serving as Drum Major for two years. He completed his student teaching at Hebron High School and Creek Valley Middle School in Lewisville ISD.
Mr. VandenBush is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and is an active performer and clinician. He currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. VandenBush is anxiously awaiting his marriage to his fiancé, Sarah, in December of 2018. Sarah is currently finishing her medical training at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas. Their family is made complete by a Goldendoodle, Phoebe.
Mr. Ousley received his Bachelor of Music with a Secondary Instrumental Emphasis from Texas A&M University-Commerce. While at TAMUC, Mr. Ousley studied Tuba with Dr. Jeffrey Baker. He performed as a member of the Wind Ensemble, Brass Choir, Tuba and Euphonium Choir, and several chamber ensembles. In the summers of 2017 and 2018, Mr. Ousley marched tuba with the Santa Clara Vanguard, winning the Drum Corps International World Championship in 2018. He completed student teaching at Marcus High School and Downing Middle School in the fall of 2021.
Mr. Ousley’s professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, National Association for Music Education, and International Tuba & Euphonium Association. Currently, Mr. Ousley resides in the Dallas area.
As a member of the performing arts, Mr. Martinez performed with The Crossmen (2015-2017) and aged out with the Blue Stars (2018). Mr. Martinez also performed with CGT Denton (2018-2020).
His mission is to create a positive and artistic space for every student. He is excited to continue his journey with the Marcus cluster family as Color Guard Director!