Symphonic Winds, Beg. Flute, Beg. Double Reeds (Oboe & Bassoon), Beg. Clarinet, Beg. Saxophone

linda.mohney@cfisd.net

Linda Mohney was named  head  director  at  Salyards  Middle  School in the fall of 2022.  Bands under her direction have consistently received sweepstakes at UIL Concert & Sight-reading. She currently leads the Symphonic Winds as well as beginning clarinet, flute and double reed classes. During the summers she enjoys working with high school and middle school student leaders across the country as a team member with SASI – The Leadership People. She has also been a repeat presenter and team leader at the Annual DCI Business Meeting and Drum Major Summit and is a sought-after drum major coach and adjudicator. She was fortunate to lead Carolina Crown as a drum major from 2012-2014 with the corps winning their first World Championship in 2013. In 2014 she was a partial Jim Jones Leadership Scholarship recipient. Mrs. Mohney currently lives in Cypress, TX with her husband Ryan and their bearded dragon Jax.   

Symphonic Band, Beg. Trumpet, Beg. French Horn & Beg. Low Brass

mario.prado@cfisd.net

Mario Prado is very excited to be entering his 16th year of teaching as an Assistant Director of Bands at Salyards Middle School. 

Previously, Mr. Prado was the Director of Bands at Chavez High School in Houston ISD from 2017 to 2021 where he tripled student membership as well as established the Blue Skies Jazz Band and Mariachi Cielo Azul programs. Mr. Prado led the band program to many firsts: the Chavez HS Wind Ensemble participated in UIL Concert & Sight-Reading, earning "Superior" Ratings, and students successfully participated in UIL Solo & Ensemble, District, and Region Band events all for the first time in school history. 

As an Assistant Director of Bands at Cook Middle School from 2010 to 2017, Mr. Prado’s bands have consistently received the UIL Sweepstakes Award, and have been named "Best in Class" or "Runner-Up in Class" at various Greater Houston area festivals. 

A native of Del Rio, TX, Mr. Prado graduated in 2005 from Del Rio High School in the top of his class. He graduated in the spring of 2010 from the University of Houston, with a Bachelor of Music Education, summa cum laude. During his time at UH, Mr. Prado was a member of the Moores School of Music Wind Ensemble and the "Spirit of Houston" Cougar Marching Band. He studied with Jim Vassallo, principal trumpet of the Houston Grand Opera & Ballet. His music education teachers include: Tom Bennett, John Benzer, David Bertman, and Eddie Green. Mr. Prado student–taught at Lowery Elementary with Glen Renfro, and at Cook Middle School with Tye Ann Payne.

A proud Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Fraternity for College Band members, Mr. Prado's professional affiliations also include Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association.

Mr. Prado previously served as principal trumpet in a community-based orchestra, Symphony North of Houston from 2011 to 2017, and taught private lessons in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. Under his private instruction, many of his students have consistently earned high honors in TMEA All-State Auditions and UIL Solo & Ensemble. 

In his free time, Mr. Prado enjoys the great outdoors, grilling, and spending time with his wife, Eleanor, daughters, Saraiah & Evelyn, and fur babies, Luke & Leia.