Kara Wallace began her teaching career in 2004 at Rockwall ISD. In 2005, she became the Director of Bands at the Herman Utley Freshman Center. From 2006 to 2016, she was the Associate Band Director at Rockwall High School. While working in Rockwall ISD, she was able to work alongside and learn from master teachers; such as, Mike McGill, John Mays, Steve Sauerwein and Alycia Bingaman. Mrs. Wallace had the privilege to conduct the Rockwall Community Band in 2009, as well as perform with them in previous seasons. Mrs. Wallace served 4 years as the Jazz Chair for Region 3, from 2012-2016.
In 2016 to 2018, Mrs. Wallace had the opportunity to team teach in Forney ISD at North Forney High School with Jim Gist, Kristin May and Megan Garza. Currently, Kara Wallace is the Director of Bands at Commerce High School in Commerce, Texas where she enjoys educating her students, teaching her bands, engaging with the community, and creating the love of music for her students. Mrs. Wallace has been a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for many groups, including Garland ISD, Dallas ISD, Northwest ISD, the Association of Texas Small School Bands and Texas Private School Association.
Kara Wallace is a proud member of the Board of Trustees for the Dallas Winds, America’s Premier Wind Band. She is an active member on the Education Committee. She assists with the Dallas Winds Summer Band Camp for Dallas ISD, the Windband Festival at the Meyerson and the Dallas Honors Band for Dallas ISD students.
Mrs. Wallace received her Bachelors of Music Education from Texas A&M University – Commerce in 2004. Mrs. Wallace is affiliated with Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi and Mu Phi Epsilon. Mrs. Wallace lives in Union Valley, Texas with her family, husband Jason Wallace and daughter Grace. Jason Wallace is the Director of Bands at Commerce Middle School in
Commerce ISD.
In 2016 to 2018, Mrs. Wallace had the opportunity to team teach in Forney ISD at North Forney High School with Jim Gist, Kristin May and Megan Garza. Currently, Kara Wallace is the Director of Bands at Commerce High School in Commerce, Texas where she enjoys educating her students, teaching her bands, engaging with the community, and creating the love of music for her students. Mrs. Wallace has been a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for many groups, including Garland ISD, Dallas ISD, Northwest ISD, the Association of Texas Small School Bands and Texas Private School Association.
Kara Wallace is a proud member of the Board of Trustees for the Dallas Winds, America’s Premier Wind Band. She is an active member on the Education Committee. She assists with the Dallas Winds Summer Band Camp for Dallas ISD, the Windband Festival at the Meyerson and the Dallas Honors Band for Dallas ISD students.
Mrs. Wallace received her Bachelors of Music Education from Texas A&M University – Commerce in 2004. Mrs. Wallace is affiliated with Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi and Mu Phi Epsilon. Mrs. Wallace lives in Union Valley, Texas with her family, husband Jason Wallace and daughter Grace. Jason Wallace is the Director of Bands at Commerce Middle School in
Commerce ISD.
Sydney Cohen is so excited to begin year three in Commerce ISD! She is a woodwind specialist, and a student of the saxophone studios of Don Fabian and Tim Ishii. She grew up in the Dallas area, and graduated with her bachelor's degree in music from the University of Texas at Arlington. She was a performer in many ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Douglas Stotter, and the Maverick Marching Band, where she was a drum major and an undergraduate Staff Member.
Before coming to Commerce, Ms. Cohen was an active private lessons instructor and clinician in the North Texas area, with students achieving the highest honors of 6A All-State, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, and college audition success. She was also a woodwind and marching technician for several bands in the area, concluding at Boswell High School in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.
When she isn't teaching, Ms. Cohen's favorite things are spending time with her two cats, Lily and Vinny, her two dogs, Pumpkin and Jamie, and her fiance Dave. She loves to cook (but not clean!), and is an avid fan of all things Star Wars.
Before coming to Commerce, Ms. Cohen was an active private lessons instructor and clinician in the North Texas area, with students achieving the highest honors of 6A All-State, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, and college audition success. She was also a woodwind and marching technician for several bands in the area, concluding at Boswell High School in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.
When she isn't teaching, Ms. Cohen's favorite things are spending time with her two cats, Lily and Vinny, her two dogs, Pumpkin and Jamie, and her fiance Dave. She loves to cook (but not clean!), and is an avid fan of all things Star Wars.
Joseph Smith is a percussionist, arranger, and educator who grew up in Rhode Island, and is new to Texas! Joe spent much of his life in New England, and enjoys running, spending time with animals, and being by large bodies of water. He is an alumnus of the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Orchestral Percussion Performance.
Since 2012, Mr. Smith has taught, composed, and arranged for various programs throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut and has been an active technician and consultant to emerging programs in the New England area in both marching and concert percussion settings. Recently, Joe served as a Front Ensemble technician for the Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps of Nashua, New Hampshire, who then went on to win the 2019 DCI Open Class Championships.
Mr. Smith is incredibly excited to join the Commerce community and is starting his graduate studies in Fall 2021 at Texas University A&M-Commerce, studying under Dr. Brian Zator.
Since 2012, Mr. Smith has taught, composed, and arranged for various programs throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut and has been an active technician and consultant to emerging programs in the New England area in both marching and concert percussion settings. Recently, Joe served as a Front Ensemble technician for the Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps of Nashua, New Hampshire, who then went on to win the 2019 DCI Open Class Championships.
Mr. Smith is incredibly excited to join the Commerce community and is starting his graduate studies in Fall 2021 at Texas University A&M-Commerce, studying under Dr. Brian Zator.