ABOUT
DIRECTOR OF BANDS
menscht@whitehouseisd.org
903-839-5551 x5490
TOM MENSCH
Originally from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Tom Mensch is the Director of Bands at Whitehouse Independent School District and also the Fine Arts and Communications Learning Leader for WHITEHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL. Previously he was the Director of Bands and Professor of Trombone at Tyler Junior College.
Tom has conducted numerous low brass and band clinics throughout North East Texas and has been the clinician for several TMEA/ATSSB Region 3, 4 and 21 concert bands as well as the Four States Honor Concert Band. He is an artist for XO Brass Instruments, a member of the KHS American Instrument Brand and he has helped in the development of trombones within the XO trombone line of instruments.
Mr. Mensch is an active performer on tenor trombone with the Rose City Brass Quintet, Lead Trombone with the Souled Out Jazz Orchestra, The Metro Big Band, is the Principal Trombonist with the Longview Symphony, and is a freelance musician throughout the East Texas Area. He was a featured soloist with several High School Bands and Colleges and has performed as a soloist at the Texas Music Educator’s Association Conference. As a member of The Metro Big Band, he has performed in over twelve different countries and recorded 7 albums.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University in 1996 and earned his Masters Degree in Trombone Performance from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2009. Tom is the Region 21 Band Chairman, a member of The Texas Music Educators Association, International Trombone Association, The National Band Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha. He is happily married to his wife Heather who is also a professional bass trombonist, and they have a dog-named Zoe.
HIGH SCHOOL BAND DIRECTORS
NICK HARDY
Arp High School - 1998
Bachelor's Music Education, SFA - 2002
Nick began his teaching career at Henderson High School where he was an assistant for 2 years. He was a percussion instructor for 4 years at Arp ISD.
Nick has been the percussion instructor and High School Assistant at Whitehouse ISD for 14 years. He is a part of Saylers Sticks Education Team and Sabian Cymbals Education Team.
Outside of school he enjoys running and playing in various bands and at his church. Nick is married to his wife Kim of 20 years this year. He also has two amazing kids, Alex, a Senior, and Rebekah, a Sophomore. He is blessed to work at an amazing district with extraordinary staff.
hardyn@whitehouseisd.org
903-839-5551 x5490
russellw@whitehouseisd.org
903-839-5551 x5490
WADE RUSSELL
Wade Russell joined the Whitehouse Band Staff as an Assistant Director in 2019. Mr. Russell directs the WHS Symphonic Winds, teaches Beginner Trumpet classes, and assists with the WHS Marching Band and WJHS Bands.
Prior to his time at WHS, Mr. Russell was an Assistant Band Director at Chapel Hill Middle School, Chapel Hill High School, and Carthage Junior High School. Mr. Russell's bands have earned Region and Area honors in the Outstanding Performance Series, consistent UIL "Sweepstakes" awards as well as first division recognition at the Peak Music Festival at The University of North Texas and the Beach Within Reach Festival in Fort Worth.
Mr. Russell is a 2009 graduate of Union Grove High School in Gladewater, Texas, where he was an ATSSB All-State trumpet player. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Education/Wind Teaching from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2014. During his time at SFASU, Mr. Russell participated in numerous ensembles including the Orchestra of the Pines and the SFA Wind Ensemble and was named a finalist in the Orchestra of the Pines Concerto Competition.
Mr. Russell's professional affiliations include Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Bandmasters Association. He is an active clinician and performer in the East Texas area. In his free time, Mr. Russell enjoys spending time with his friends, working out, and traveling.
JUNIOR HIGH BAND DIRECTORS
CHRIS HUFFTY
Mr. Huffty is the junior high band director at Whitehouse ISD. A native East Texan, he attended Nacogdoches High School and learned the military style of marching under the direction of Glynn Wells. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University while studying French Horn with Dr. Charles Gavin and performing in multiple ensembles with Directors Mr. Fred J. Allen, Dr. David Campo, and Dr. Brett Richardson.
Mr. Huffty’s responsibilities include: Directing the 7th grade Varsity Band and the 8th grade Non-Varsity Band, teaching marching fundamentals with the High School band, and teaching French Horn and Baritone beginners.
Mr. Huffty is married to his partner in crime and the love of his life, Sarah Huffty. They live in Whitehouse with their cannonball-of-a-toddler son Benjamin and their two cats Rodney and Francis.
hufftyc@whithouseisd.org
903-839-5590 x4791
southerlandd@whitehouseisd.org
903-839-5551 x5490
DANIEL SOUTHERLAND
Daniel Southerland began his Band career as a student in Canton, Texas before attending Baylor University. There he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He was a member of the Golden Wave Marching Band, Baylor Wind Ensemble, and Baylor Symphony Orchestra during his time in Waco.
Upon graduation, Daniel worked as an Assistant Band Director at McMath Middle School in Denton, Texas before being promoted to Head Director in his third year.
In 2009, Daniel was named Assistant Band Director at Whitehouse High School working with Denny Whitley. Daniel’s wife Le’Anne is a 2001 graduate of Whitehouse and former student of Whitley’s.
Daniel and his wife Le’Anne have two daughters (Baylee and Charlotte) and a French Bulldog named Nali.
HOLLOWAY BAND DIRECTOR
thomasc@whitehouseisd.org
903-839-5656 x4190
CHRISTINA THOMAS
For more than twenty years, Christina Thomas has had the privilege of teaching and inspiring young musicians in East Texas. Mrs. Thomas is a woodwind specialist and currently teaches the flutes, saxophones and double reeds for Whitehouse ISD. In addition, Mrs. Thomas is also the Beginning Band Coordinator for Holloway Sixth Grade School, assists at both Whitehouse Junior High and Whitehouse High School, and participates on both campus and district committees.
A graduate of Gilmer High School, Mrs. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater Performance from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in All-Level Music Education and a Master of Educational Leadership and Administration with an all-level Principal Certification from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Mrs. Thomas has also provided campus professional development for Whitehouse ISD and has had the honor of performing in many venues around the world, including New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, London, Prague, and the Middle East.
Mrs. Thomas is married to Rev. Dr. Matt Thomas. Together they have two children, two cats, and a dog. In her spare time, Mrs. Thomas enjoys working in the bee yard with her husband, serving in the community and with her church, crafting, traveling, and learning new things.
Mrs. Thomas always enjoys watching her students grow and learn throughout their years with the Whitehouse Band Program and is grateful to be part of such an amazing school district.