Coppell Middle School West Band
DIRECTORS
Ryan Straten
Ryan M. Straten is the newly appointed Head Band Director at Coppell Middle School West and will be entering his fifteenth year of teaching. He was formerly the Director of Bands at Timberview Middle School in Keller ISD for five years. Mr. Straten will be directing the Honor Winds, assisting with the Symphonic Band, and will teach the 6th grade beginning clarinet, trumpet, french horn, and trombone classes.
While at Timberview, the band program placed a record number of students in the All-District and All-Region Band process. The TMS Wind Ensemble received unanimous superior ratings at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation, earning them the coveted Sweepstakes Award every year since his appointment. The Wind Ensemble was recently named as a ‘Class A Winner’ in the 2019 Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors project as well as being invited to perform at the 2020 Music For All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Before coming to Keller ISD, Mr. Straten served as the Director of Bands at Williams Middle School in Rockwall ISD for two years and Highland Park Middle School/McCulloch Intermediate School for one year. Under his direction, both organizations placed a record number of students in the All-Region Band process, received unanimous first division ratings at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluations, and were named Best In Class and Overall Outstanding Middle School Band at the Lone Star Showcase of Music Festival. Prior to his appointment in Highland Park, Mr. Straten was the Associate Director at Artie Henry Middle School in Leander ISD. While at HMS, Mr. Straten was privileged to have been part of the team that led the Henry Band Program to two invitations and performances at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois; the program’s second performance at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington; it’s second Texas State CCC Honor Band title; and to the program being named a John Philip Sousa Sudler Silver Cup Award recipient.
He holds two Master’s degrees from Texas State University in Educational Leadership and Music Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. When he is not doing all things band, Mr. Straten enjoys spending time with family, friends, and his mini-dachshund, Daisy.
Lisa Manson
Lisa Manson is the newly appointed Band Director at Coppell Middle School West. She is currently in her eleventh year of teaching. She was formerly an Associate Band Director at Timberview Middle School in Keller ISD for eight years. Prior to Timberview, Ms. Manson was the Music Director at First Baptist Academy for three years. Ms. Manson will be directing the Symphonic Band, assisting with the Honor Winds, and teaching the beginning flute, oboe/bassoon, saxophone, and euphonium/tuba classes.
Prior to teaching, Ms. Manson received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. While at SMU, she studied flute with Deborah Baron, associate principal flute and piccolo of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She also performed in the Meadows Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Paul Phillips and the Meadows Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jack Delaney.
Ms. Manson is originally from Coppell, Texas. She is a graduate of Coppell High School and also Coppell Middle School West. At Coppell High School, she was a member of the Honor Band and served as flute section leader under the direction of Scott Mason. She also studied flute with Kareen Britt, associate flute and piccolo of the Dallas Opera Orchestra. In 2004, she was a member of the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Band.
She currently resides in the DFW area. When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, baking, and traveling.
Randall Nguyen
Mr. Nguyen has served the Coppell ISD Percussion program since 2018 and is in his second year as the Percussion Director.
While at Coppell, the Varsity marching band has been to UIL State Marching Band Contests and have been finalists in the Bands of America circuit. The percussion program at Coppell has been consistent medalists in multiple drumline contests in the North Texas area, including: HEB Drumline Contest, North Texas Drumline Contest, Lewisville Drumline Contest, and the Lone Star Classic Drumline contest. In 2019, the Coppell Varsity Drumline was awarded Champions in the Silver 1 division and received the Caldwell Cup for highest score of the night.
Mr. Nguyen currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. During his time at Lamar, he performed with many ensembles including Lamar University Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and Percussion Ensemble. While a part of these ensembles, they were fortunate enough to be invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and also at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He studied under the direction of Dr. Scott Deppe, Dr. Eric Shannon, Mr. Travis Fife, Dr. Matthew Holm, and Dr. Francisco Perez.
Mr. Nguyen holds professional affiliations with Texas Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
