Danielle Fisher
HEAD BAND DIRECTOR, J.L. LONG MIDDLE SCHOOL
Danielle Fisher is an educator, composer, and performer living in Dallas, TX. Danielle is currently the Head Band Director at J.L. Long Middle School. Previously, Ms. Fisher was Assistant Band Director in both Carrollton-Farmer's Branch ISD and Alvarado ISD for five years.
Danielle enjoys composing and arranging for her colleagues and their young ensembles throughout the country. In addition to her work in public schools, Danielle currently serves as Staff Arranger for Maryland Chamber Winds, and has produced over fifteen original compositions, transcriptions, and arrangements for MCW since 2016. Danielle enjoys frequent collaborations with MCW artistic director, Dr. Tyler Austin.
Danielle received a B.M.E. in Music Education and a B.M. in Music Theory/Composition from Illinois State University where she studied composition with David Maslanka, Martha Horst, and David Feurzeig. After her undergraduate work, Danielle freelanced and managed large studios of trumpet and french horn students, first in central Illinois and then in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex while she completed her M.M. in Music Education at the University of North Texas. Her Master’s thesis led her to develop her 'Little Band... BIG IMPACT' series, which make the standards in wind literature available for adaptable ensemble settings.
You can contact Ms. Fisher at dfisher@dallasisd.org
Caleb Belonga
ASSISTANT BAND DIRECTOR, J.L. LONG MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mr. Belonga is excited to be entering his first year of teaching as Assistant Band Director at J.L. Long Middle School in Dallas, Texas. He recently graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelors in Music Education from the University of North Texas. While at the University of North Texas, Mr. Belonga was an active performer, and he had the opportunity to study trumpet with Caleb Hudson, member of the Canadian Brass. Twice, Mr. Belonga was invited to compete in the National Trumpet Competition in both the solo and ensemble divisions, most recently with his arrangement of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s opera “Dardanus” for trumpet ensemble. He had the opportunity to perform in various renowned ensembles including the Green Brigade Marching Band, the Brass Band under the direction of David Childs, and Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Daniel Cook. In addition to his UNT affiliations, Mr. Belonga maintained a private trumpet studio in the North Texas area throughout his college career. Most recently, Mr. Belonga completed his student teaching in Argyle ISD under the direction of Jason Bird, Asa Bark, Evan Fletcher, Bojan Gutic, and James McNair. He is also grateful for his additional studies with Dr. Ryan Gardner, Professor of Trumpet at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Mr. Belonga grew up in Prosper, Texas and graduated from Prosper High School. He studied trumpet with Michael Attaway and was under the guidance and teaching of John Alstrin, the current Fine Arts Director in Prosper ISD. After graduating, Mr. Belonga was invited back to be a marching technician for the PHS band where he served in that position for three years.
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Mr. Belonga’s professional memberships include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and The International Trumpet Guild. He is married to his best friend, Autumn, and they love to cook new meals, explore new areas, and watch Stranger Things.
You can reach Mr. Belonga at cbelonga@dallasisd.org
Caitlin Schmidt
DIRECTOR OF BANDS, WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL
An Austin, Texas native, Caitlin Schmidt, is currently entering her thirteenth year of teaching and her first year as Director of Bands at Woodrow Wilson HS. Prior to her appointment at Woodrow Wilson HS, Ms. Schmidt was the Head Band Director at JL Long Middle School for nine years.
As an active performer, Ms. Schmidt has performed as a concert saxophonist and freelance musician in the Dallas – Ft. Worth and Austin areas. She was a founding member and soprano chair of the DWR Saxophone Quartet which took part in commissioning a new work by award winning composer Lei Liang entitled YUAN. Ms. Schmidt also plays in an acoustic cover band with her father, Chris Schmidt, that performs at local venues and for charity events.
A cum laude graduate of the University of North Texas, Ms. Schmidt holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education where her primary saxophone teacher was Eric Nestler. During her time there, she was a member of the University of North Texas Lab Bands, University of North Texas Green Brigade, as well as the University of North Texas Symphonic Band; where under the baton of Dennis Fisher, can be heard on the Klavier recording label. Ms. Schmidt is also a summa cum laude graduate from the University of North Texas at Dallas where she holds her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership.
Ms. Schmidt was District Finalist for Teacher of the Year in 2020 and has been named a Quarterfinalist for Grammy Music Educator of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Ms. Schmidt is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, and MENC: The National Association of Music Education.
Mike Park
PERCUSSION DIRECTOR
WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL AND J.L. LONG MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mike Park is the new Percussion Director at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas ISD. Mr. Park received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Delaware and his Master of Music Performance from Miami University. His former teachers include Harvey Price, Jim Ancona, Orlando Cotto, Michael LaMattina, and Patrick Schleker.
Mr. Park is an active percussionist and educator. During his time as a performer, he’s marched with Drum Corps International and Drum Corps Associates drum lines Pioneer, Spartans and Cadets2. In addition, his awards include the University of Delaware Concerto Competition, and first prizes in both the Manhattan International Music Competition and the Virtuoso International Music Competition. He’s also performed as a gigging musician performing with the Richmond Jazz Orchestra and Afro-Cuban percussion ensembles with the University of Delaware.
Mike Park has over 6 years of experience as a composer and instructor for high school percussion ensembles and drum lines around the country from New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio and Indiana. His percussion ensembles have competed in local circuits as well as WGI and Bands of America. His percussion sections have won 1st place in the percussion caption during multiple seasons.
Mike Park is excited to start this new adventure and grow as an educator with the Woodrow Wilson HS and JL Long MS music teams!
You can reach Mr. Park at mpark@dallasisd.org