Directors and History

Christin Bunch -  Director of Bands - cbunch@dentonisd.org - 940-369-4722

Mrs. Bunch is the Director of Bands at Crownover Middle School. Mrs. Bunch holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX. While attending MSU, she was involved in many activities and organizations such as the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Winter Guard. She played lead alto sax in the jazz band and was saxophone section leader all four years of college. She was a member of Tau Beta Sigma band sorority, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies. She was a member of a dance band that played at various locations around the Wichita Falls area and once played as the back up band for legendary Ray Price. Currently Mrs. Bunch is a member of TMEA, TMAA, TJEA, and the North Central Texas Winds as an alto saxophonist.

Mrs. Bunch is in her twenty sixth year of teaching. She taught her first two years in Kennedale ISD as the head junior high school director of bands and assistant high school director of bands. She has been at Crownover since it opened in 2002. Under her direction, the bands at Crownover have consistently received superior ratings at UIL and PEAK music contests. Additionally, the 2018-2019 Wind Ensemble was named a National Winner in the Foundation for Music Education's Mark of Excellence project. Mrs. Bunch is a sought after adjudicator and clinician throughout the state of Texas.

Mrs. Bunch has her Masters in Educational Administration from UNT and plans to one day pursue a position in upper administration. Mrs. Bunch is happily married to Aaron and has a wonderful son named Austin who is a senior at Guyer HS. She has two dogs and one cat. One dachshund (Louie) , one Pomeranian (Sammy), and a cat (Sophie). In her spare time she enjoys being with her family, shopping, watching and attending Formula One Racing, watching sports, and riding stand up jet skis.

Kristi Liou - Assistant Band Director - kliou@dentonisd.org - 940-369-4794

Ms. Liou is in her twentieth year of teaching music in public schools.  Previous experience includes teaching choir at Griffin Middle School in Lewisville ISD and elementary general music at Brent Elementary in Little Elm ISD.  Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Ms. Liou started her teaching career on the island of O'ahu.  She taught band at Kawananakoa Middle and Jarrett Middle before transferring to Kailua Intermediate School to teach band and piano for thirteen years.  Kailuaʻs band program grew twice in size and consistently earned Division I ratings at the Oʻahu Band Directors Association (OBDA) Parade of Bands.

Ms. Liou holds a Bachelor's of Education degree and a Master's of Arts in Music Education degree from the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa (UH).  While at UH, she was privileged to study clarinet under the tutelage of Mr. Henry Miyamura.  From 2009-2013, Ms. Liou chaired the OBDA Middle School Honor Band.  She served as the OBDA Treasurer from 2014-2016 and as the OBDA Secretary from 2017-2019.  She has been fortunate to have the opportunity to guest conduct the Maui Intermediate Select Band, the UH Summer Band, and the OBDA Middle School and Beginning Honor Bands, as well as adjudicate the Kaua'i Solo and Ensemble Festival.  Ms. Liou was awarded as Teacher of Year for Kailua Intermediate School in 2013 and the Windward District Teacher of the Year in 2016.  In 2020, she was inducted to the American School Band Directors Association, Hawaiʻi Chapter.

History of the Crownover Band Program

The Crownover Band was established when the school opened in the Fall of 2002. The head director was Kathy Morrison (Baker) and the assistant director was Christin Bunch. After two years, Mrs. Baker and her husband moved to Mississippi so that her husband could take a job at Mississippi State University. Mrs. Baker earned one Sweepstakes award at UIL with the top performing group while at Crownover. Mrs. Bunch was promoted to head director after two years of being the assistant and continues to be the head director today. Under the direction of Mrs. Bunch the bands have earned consistent Sweepstakes awards at UIL. The band has also attended PEAK contest several years in a row and have received first division ratings and been named outstanding band in their classification. Additionally, the 2018-2019 Crownover Symphonic Band was named a Commended Winner in the Foundation for Music Education's Citation of Excellence project and the 2018-2019 Crownover Wind Ensemble was named a National Winner in the Foundation for Music Education's Mark of Excellence project. The band has a long tradition of excellence and continues to improve every year. The band program at Crownover has helped train many student teachers from UNT and also has been a starting point for many first year teachers as assistant directors. Bryan Stone and Kristin (Staniszewski) Johnson have been two of Mrs. Bunch's assistants and have gone on to be head directors in Denton ISD. Mr. Stone is currently the head director at Harpool MS. Other assistant directors include James Buckner, Ray Staniszewski, Russ Callahan, Carolyn Cansler, Alex Pettigrew, Dr. Kyle Mullins, and Kristi Liou. The Crownover Band has great ties with the community and performs at area contests and festivals, UIL, Director's Choice, Metrofest, Peak Festivals, and Denton Arts and Jazz Festival.