Brenden Johnson is excited to serve as the Head Band Director at Jackson and Rhodes. Previously, Johnson taught at Liberty Junior High in Richardson for 5 years and Lynn Lucas Middle School in Willis for 3 years. In 2016, Mr. Johnson received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Sam Houston State University and went on to earn his Masters in Music Education from Southern Methodist University in 2023.  

Johnson has been named a Willis ISD District MVP, Richardson ISD Outstanding Band Staff Member of the Year, and the Liberty Junior High Teacher of the Year. He has previously presented at the Sam Houston Teaching the Middle School Band workshop on beginner and advancing saxophone pedagogy. In 2017, Mr. Johnson took the Willis High School Saxophone Quartet to perform at the Music for All Chamber Music National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. Two years later he returned with four more chamber groups from WHS and was invited to present at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago about the chamber music program he helped to pilot. Brenden also appeared as a guest conductor with the Willis High School Jazz Band at the 2016 Texas Bandmasters Association Clinic and Convention. 

Brenden resides in Dallas with his partner Jordan. He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters association.

Sarah Ismail is ecstatic to join the Jackson/Rhodes band team in her second year as a music educator! She will be teaching beginner Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, and Symphonic band, along with assisting the Honors Band and Concert Band. Ms. Ismail graduated from the University of North Texas where she studied French Horn under Dr. Stacie Mickens. She has performed in various ensembles such as Wind Orchestra, Green Brigade Marching Band, Concert Orchestra, and Wind Symphony under the direction of Professor Corporon. While in Wind Symphony, she had the opportunity to be apart of the recording process for albums “Closure” and “Respair.” 

Ms. Ismail previously taught as an Assistant Band Director at Alvarado Junior High School where she led beginner brass/woodwind classes and the non-varsity and sub-non varsity bands. Both of her bands received unanimous sweepstakes at UIL for Concert & Sight Reading. Prior to her employment at Alvarado ISD, Ms. Ismail student taught at Creekview High School and Blalack Middle School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. 

Outside of band, Ms. Ismail loves to travel across the world and enjoy time at home with her two cats Nora and Tobi.

Mr. Louis Peak is excited to join the team at Jackson Middle School, where he will direct the Concert Band and beginner trombone, euphonium, and tuba classes. Mr. Peak received his Bachelor of Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he studied under Dr. Jeff Baker. During this time, Mr. Peak taught private tuba and euphonium lessons at nearby middle schools. Furthermore, Mr. Peak has performed with the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, TAMUC Trombone Choir, and Tuba-Euphonium Choir. Mr. Peak has served on the leadership team for the “Pride” Marching Band for three years. Notably, in 2019 The “Pride” Marching Band performed as an exhibition at the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Most recently, Mr. Peak taught at Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth. While there, his responsibilities included instructing and rehearsing the Highlander Marching Band as well as the Symphonic band in preparation for UIL evaluations. Mr. Peak was born and raised in the neighboring city of Mesquite. When not at work, Mr. Peak enjoys staying active by running, rock climbing, or playing golf. 

Mr. Feldser is currently in his seventeenth year of teaching and his first with Forney ISD. Before joining the Jackson MS/Rhodes IS staff, Mr. Feldser taught for 12 years for the Mansfield High School Cluster (Mansfield High School, Brooks Wester Middle School, Rogene Worley Middle School, Asa Low Intermediate School, and Mary Orr Intermediate School) as their Assistant Band Director/Percussion Coordinator. Mr. Feldser has also taught at Palestine High School, Azle High School, and Pace High School. Mr. Feldser is an active percussion clinician, having worked with groups from Arizona, California, Tennessee, and Texas

Mr. Feldser holds amBachelor’s Degree in Music from Middle Tennessee State University and his Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance from Northern Arizona University. His teachers have included Lalo Davila, Dr. Andy Smith, Dr. Steven Hemphill, Jeff Lee, Don Click, and Eric Johnson. In college, Kevin was a member of various ensembles: including, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, PASIC Ensemble, Steel Band, Salsa Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the Flagstaff Symphony. Kevin also taught the NAU Drumline while a Graduate Assistant. He was a member of the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps (Concord, CA) front ensemble (2002) and the Music City Mystique (Nashville, TN) front ensemble (2001-2003).

Professional affiliations include TMEA and PAS. He is endorsed by Innovative Percussion and Evans Drumheads.