Staff

Clint Kubala - Director of Bands

Originally from Oologah, Oklahoma (30 miles north of Tulsa), Clint Kubala graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Music in both Instrumental Education and Saxophone Performance. During his time there, he studied saxophone under Dr. Keith Talley before returning to his Alma Mater as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Jazz Studies at Oologah Public Schools. At OHS, he integrated the High School jazz band into the school day and began the Middle School jazz program. After five years at Oologah, Mr. Kubala moved to Missouri where he was the Co-Director of Bands at Cameron High School and Middle School. Throughout the years, he also served as a faculty member and adjudicator of various music camps across Oklahoma.  

In the Fall of 2021, Mr. Kubala and his wife moved to the Ozarks where he accepted the Saxophone and Jazz Graduate Assistantship at Missouri State University. The following year, he served as the Pride Band Graduate Assistant while earning his Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting. At MSU, he studied saxophone under Randy Hamm and conducting under Dr. John Zastoupil, Dr. Brad Snow, and Dr. Matthew Boswell. 

Over the last three years, Mr. Kubala has served as an Educational Representative for Palen Music Center in Springfield, Missouri where he visits schools in an approximately 100-mile radius of Springfield, serves as a consultant and clinician, and assists band directors with their various needs.

Outside of teaching, Mr. Kubala enjoys cooking, woodworking, and spending time with Leah (his wife of 7 years, Ozark Middle School band director, and phenomenal horn player), their son, Thatcher (three-year-old, dinosaur & train enthusiast, and fairly talented multi-instrumentalist), and their two cats, Oliver and Beans (food connoisseurs, psychopaths, and professional nappers).

Rachel Hanks - Assistant Director of Bands

Rachel Hanks is a dedicated educator with a passion for music and student development. A proud alumni of Eldon High School, Miss Hanks went on to earn a Bachelor of Music Education in Instrumental Music from Missouri State University. While at MSU, she was Principal Horn for Wind Symphony, and performed with the PRIDE Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, University Orchestra, Horn Studio, Bearmania Pep Band, and the Steel Pan Ensemble. Entering her fourth year of teaching, Miss Hanks brings both expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom, inspiring students to explore their musical talents while fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment for all. Go Mt’neers!