Embedded Files
Private Lessons Form and Guidelines
Private Lessons Form and Guidelines
click the sign up button above to take you to a google-form to sign up for private lesson!
Much of the individual success in the Tidwell Band program is attributed to our private lesson program. Private lessons are one-on-one lessons offered before school, after school, and during band class. Unlike tutoring, private lessons are not just for those who may be struggling. Private lessons are for every band student. Due to time and the number of students we are not able to give each student as much individual instruction as we would like. Private lesson instructors are able to meet with your student and design a program that meets their needs, allowing them to progress at their own rate of ability. Students who may be struggling will receive additional instruction to help improve, and intermediate to advanced ability players will receive additional instruction to further advance and remain challenged outside of class.
Our private lesson teachers are selected by the directors and have completed NISD required background checks. Private lesson staff are degreed educators and professional instrumentalists who work closely with the directors to help each student progress. Private lessons are $25 per lesson and are payable to the individual private teacher. Scholarships may be available.
LESSON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Scholarships are available for families that might qualify for financial aid in other aspects of life. Scholarships are $15 of the lesson payment. This means that we the TMS Band pays $15 per lesson and you pay $10 per lesson. Students will be selected based on financial need and class participation.
DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS SEPTEMBER 15, 2025!
All Scholarship Applications must be submitted and approved before lessons can begin. Your director will contact you if your scholarship has been approved. Please note that scholarships may be revoked at your director’s discretion due to lack of practice, participation or lack of financial responsibility on your part. Scholarships must be applied for annually.
If awarded, scholarships will run from the first day of school until the last day of school. Please fill out the link and you will receive an email once approved.
Private Lesson Staff
Shane Salinas, flute
shane.salinas63@gmail.com
Melissa Bosma, Oboe
melissabosmaoboe@gmail.com
John Searcy, Bassoon
Kristen Boulet, clarinet
Luke Davis, Saxophone
Sterling Fry, Saxophone
sterlingfry@gmail.com
David Hall, Trumpet
Darin Northam, Trumpet
Addison McGarity, French Horn
mcgaritymusicteacher@gmail.com
Mark Scott, Trombone
Jonathan Watkins, Trombone and Euphonium
Jacob Fulkerson , Euphonium and Tuba
jacobfulkerson@my.unt.edu
Noe Trevino, Percussion
Patrick Tierney, Percussion
Tzu-Ling Hung , Percussion
Kristen Boulet, Clarinet
Kristen Boulet is a graduate of Texas Tech University, 1990. Where she received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She was a woodwind major with clarinet as her principal. She is currently in her 35th year as a music educator, clinician, and a performing artist. Kristen has her degree in Music Education K-12 and has studied clarinet with Forest Aten, Keith McCarty, Robert Wazel, Greg Raden, and Andy Crisanti. She also minored in percussion and studied with Brian Kendrick and Dr. Lisa Rogers.
Mrs. Boulet began her career as a band director working with middle and high school students in the Burleson ISD and Lewisville ISD where her program grew to over 400 students at Huffines Middle School in the Lewisville ISD.
She just finished her 44th year to be involved with the Texas Tech Band and Orchestra Camp. She teaches the master classes and sectionals at the camp. Her first year as a camper was 1978.
Kristen is in her 19th season as a founding member with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Corporon. She is also the Lone Star Youth Winds Manager where she facilitates and works with 65 of the best DFW youth musicians. They work with world famous composers such as Omar Thomas, John Mackey, Frank Ticheli and Julie Giroux. They performed at Carnegie Hall this past summer to an exceptional review.
She performs as a free-lance musician across the metroplex with other symphonies and pit orchestras. She is a performing Artist with two major clarinet corporations. These are both very big honors. She is an Artist Clinician for Vandoren and a performing and educating Artist for Selmer-Paris and Conn Selmer. She travels across the great state of Texas and across the USA to work with many young clarinetists and has performed in various states across the nation and overseas. Most recently as a guest soloist in Georgia and Pennsylvania.
Kristen currently has a thriving private clarinet studio where she works with over 80 students each year in the Carroll and Northwest ISD’s. Kristen has many clarinet ensembles that have gone on to perform at different conventions such as Music for All, TSSEC, and ICA. Kristen has had numerous students make the TMEA All-State organization yearly, go on to be performing clarinetists and music educators.
She is a member of TBS, MPE, ICA, and TMEA. She lives in Roanoke, Texas with her husband Jim (Retired Director of Bands) and their two children Grace and Michael. Her children are her greatest joys. Her daughter Grace is a Graduate of Texas Tech. She plays piccolo and flute, was the president of the Goin Band, was in the Kappa Delta sorority and has her PR degree. Her son Michael is a recent graduate of Northwest high school and is attending Rose State College to pursue his baseball and business career.
Sterling Fry, saxophone
Saxophonist Sterling Fry is an active performer throughout the United States. He has performed at Regional and National North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences in Arizona, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas. He has performed with the Texas Tech University Orchestra, and recorded as the baritone saxophonist for the University of New Mexico Wind Symphony on the album Arrows of Time. Sterling Fry participated in several saxophone consortiums to commission new works from composers Jennifer Jolley, Alexis C. Lamb, Hong-Da Chin, Jacob Frost, and Alexandra Gardner. As an educator, Dr. Fry is dedicated to saxophone pedagogy at all levels and has worked with schools throughout Texas. He currently teaches saxophone private lessons and masterclasses for Allen and Northwest Independent School Districts. He has additionally taught for Birdville, Richardson, Lewisville, Sunnyvale, Frenship, and Lubbock ISD. Over the summer, Sterling Fry teaches for the Young Saxophonist Institute Band Camp in Fort Worth, TX. His dissertation Teaching Beginning Saxophonists: The Pedagogical Approach of Five Middle School Band Directors in Texas is intended as a resource for teachers, and is a portrait of teaching styles of Jason Crump, Alicia DeSoto, Nick Flood, Steve Giovanoni, and Robert Herrings. Sterling Fry received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance from Texas Tech University, Master of Music degree from the University of New Mexico, and Bachelor of Music Degree from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University Long Beach. Primary teachers include David Dees, Dr. Eric Lau, Glenn Kostur, and James Barrera
Luke Davis, saxophone
Luke Davis is a dedicated music educator and accomplished saxophonist with over a decade of experience performing, teaching, and mentoring young musicians. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in saxophone from the University of North Texas, where he studied under leading performers and pedagogues.
In addition to his work in the classroom and private lesson studio, Luke is an active multi-instrumentalist who has toured nationally, performing in jazz, concert, rock, funk, and pop settings. His broad performing background informs his teaching, allowing him to connect technical skills with real-world musicianship.
Passionate about developing well-rounded musicians, Luke works closely with students to build strong fundamentals, foster artistic expression, and prepare them for success in auditions, contests, and ensemble performances. His goal is to inspire a lifelong love of music and equip students with the tools they need to thrive both on and off the stage.
Melissa Bosma, Oboe
is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Oboe at the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Bosma served as Lecturer of Oboe at Oklahoma State University, where she also served as Director of the OSU Summer Music Camp. She also served as Adjunct Instructor of Oboe at Heidelberg University, where she performed with the faculty woodwind quintet, regularly performed at the New Music Festival, and commissioned new solo works for oboe and piano.
Ms. Bosma has taught extensively in Texas, Michigan, and Oklahoma through her studio and master classes at many local middle and high schools. Passionate about sharing oboe pedagogy with other educators, Ms. Bosma has given presentations at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. Ms. Bosma is an active orchestral musician who has performed with groups such as the Fort Worth Opera, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony, Tulsa Symphony, and Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Also an accomplished chamber musician, Ms. Bosma attended the Sarasota Music Festival and was a Fellow at Music Academy of the West where she was a featured soloist under the baton of Grammy-nominated conductor Nicholas McGegan.
Melissa Bosma graduated with Master of Music degrees in both Oboe Performance and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Oboe Performance from Southern Methodist University. Her primary teachers include Erin Hannigan and Nancy Ambrose King.
Addison McGarity, French Horn
mcgaritymusicteacher@gmail.com
Addison McGarity Is a French Horn player and private lesson teacher living in Justin, Texas. Addison has served multiple school districts including Duncanville, Mansfield, Arlington, Ennis, and more across the DFW area with private lessons and horn masterclasses at all levels. He maintains a lesson studio, McGarity Music, where his students have auditioned into the all-region bands and received high marks at their solo and ensemble competitions. As a dedicated teacher, Addison personalizes his lessons and meets students where they are. His compassionate but fair nature allows students to feel like they have agency in their musical and educational development. Addison graduated with his Bachelor’s of Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, where he performed in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Lumberjack Marching Band. Addison also performed with the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps. He is currently performing with the Mansfield Wind Symphony as well as other churches and classical ensembles in the Ft. Worth area.
Darin Northam
Darin Northam is a teacher, performer and arranger with a studio involving brass students from eight different schools. He has a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas in Denton, and has been performing and teaching for over 20 years. Darin teaches primarily trumpet students, but has also taught horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba. Several of his students have achieved placement in All-District, All-Region and All-State bands in Texas.
Mark Scott, Trombone
Mark Scott earned Bachelor of Music degrees in performance and composition at the University of North Texas, and a Master of Music in conducting at the University of New Mexico. He has taught low brass lessons at Tidwell, Medlin, and Byron Nelson since 2013.
Mark’s broad musical background forms the foundation of a well-rounded curriculum. Lessons balance fundamentals and repertoire to instill lifelong enthusiasm for music, and include elements of composition, music history, and theory to deepen students’ connections to their music. Mark conducts a trombone choir to supplement lessons, and provides extra performance opportunities for a complete studio experience.
Born in Houston, Mark lives in Trophy Club. He spends his free time watching sports, running, and traveling with his wife Sara.
Jonathan Watkins, Trombone and Euphonium
Dr. Jonathan Watkins is currently Adjunct Instructor of Low Brass at Tarrant County College, where he teaches trombone, euphonium, and tuba. In addition to his college teaching, Jonathan currently maintains a large private studio in the DFW area, where his students have auditioned into the all-region bands and received high marks at their solo and ensemble competitions.
As a clinician and performer, Dr. Watkins has given recitals, masterclasses, and has been a guest artist at University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Valdosta State University, University of Wisconsin at Platteville, and the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. He has been a featured artist for the inaugural brass day at Graceland University, and performed at low brass day at Tarleton State University.
Dr. Watkins’s work as a performer includes performing at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference, Southeast Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference, and Midwest Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, Tarleton State University, and the Texas Music Educator Association annual conference with the New Acoustic Metal Experiment, a tuba-euphonium ensemble specializing in the genre of metal music. He has also performed with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Dallas Civic Winds, the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra, and maintains an active performance schedule as chamber musician and soloist across several genres.
Dr. Watkins earned his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of North Texas, as well as Bachelors and Masters degrees from Florida State University in Euphonium Performance. Dr. Jonathan Watkins has studied with David Childs, Brian Bowman, Paul Ebbers, Carlyle Weber, and is a Willson Artist.
Jacob Fulkerson , Euphonium and Tuba
Jacob is a doctoral student at the University of North Texas and tubist in the touring sacred brass group The King’s Brass. He holds a Master of Music degree from Bowling Green State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors degree from Carnegie Mellon University. He is an Andrew Carnegie Society Scholar, licensed music educator, and his primary tuba instructors are Craig Knox, Dave Saltzman, and Donald Little. While touring in the King’s Brass, Jacob performs music and choreography from memory, assists in live sound, and helps in other supportive roles, as the group performs over one-hundred concerts each year. Originally from the great state of Michigan he enjoys spending time with family, friends, and playing fetch with his two dogs, Buddy and Bear.
Page updated
Report abuse