Ms. Taylor was born and raised in Atlanta, GA where she started playing the double bass in 6th grade Beginning Orchestra.  She recieved her bachelor's degree in Music Education from Stetson University in DeLand, FL.  From there, she moved to Las Vegas to begin her teaching career where she lived and taught orchestra for 14 years.  Four years ago, family and friends persuaded Ms. Taylor to move here to Plano, TX and she is so glad she did!  She loves this area and loves teaching at Renner Middle School.  She also loves being closer with my family, loves her dogs, and loves ice cream and tacos!

Matthew Moreno is the director of orchestras at Jasper High School in Plano, TX. His groups have enjoyed the success of consistent UIL Sweepstakes awards, first division ratings and “best in class” awards at festivals.  Mr. Moreno is graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Instrumental Studies.  

As a double bassist, he has performed with various Texas orchestras, musicals, jazz groups, and often on cello with string quartets. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association. Outside of teaching and performing, he is an active composer and arranger for orchestral music having been published with FJH Music and Grand Mesa Music. JW Pepper Music selected his works as “Editor’s Choice” and have been performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago as well as UIL Contest.

Mr. Moreno currently lives in Allen, TX with his wife Liz and their two cats, Peter and Tink.

Michelle Kong is the Director of Orchestras at Creek Valley Middle School in Lewisville ISD, a position she has held since 2018. Under her leadership, the Creek Valley Middle School Orchestra program has experienced significant growth, doubling in size. Prior to this, Ms. Kong served as the Director of Orchestras at Dan F. Long Middle School and Ted Polk Middle School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD for 20 years, where her orchestras consistently earned Sweepstakes ratings at UIL competitions and local festivals.

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Ms. Kong earned her Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Texas at Arlington. An active clinician, she has presented multiple clinics for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA) on topics such as ‘Recruitment and Retention’ and ‘Teaching Vibrato.’ She is also a member of the Texas Music Adjudicator Association and works as an adjudicator and clinician in addition to her teaching role.

Outside of her professional work, Ms. Kong enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and friends. She is the proud mother of her son, Ian, who is currently attending Texas A&M University.