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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.
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.
Private Lesson Staff Contact Info (Bio Below)
Tara Richter, flute
tararichter.flute@gmail.com
Melissa Bosma, Oboe
melissabosmaoboe@gmail.com
John Searcy, Bassoon
Kristen Boulet, Clarinet
Luke Davis, Saxophone
Sterling Fry, Saxophone
sterlingfry@gmail.com
Darin Northam, Trumpet
David Anders, French Horn
dmanders323@gmail.com
Mark Scott, Trombone
Jonathan Watkins, Trombone and Euphonium
Jacob Fulkerson , Euphonium and Tuba
jacobfulkerson@my.unt.edu
Patrick Tierney, Percussion
Tara Richter, Flute
tararichter.flute@gmail.com
Tara Richter is very excited to join the Tidwell private lesson staff. She has been an active clinician, educator, and performer in the DFW area since 2004. She was President of the Texas Flute Society from 2008-2009 and has been Co-Chair for their Annual Flute Festival since 2024. Ms. Richter and the Richter Flute Choir, a student ensemble, performed with the International Festival of Winds and Percussion tour in Italy (2014) and Hawaii (2015). Ms. Richter received a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in flute performance from Eastern Illinois University and in 2004 completed a Masters in Music from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is currently principal flute with the New Texas Symphony Orchestra in Dallas and performs with the Flutes Unlimited flute choir. She is passionate about music education and all things flute.
Kristen Boulet, Clarinet
kjboulet67@gmail.com
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 47th 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 21st 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, Julie Giroux and Carol Chambers. They performed at Carnegie Hall in 2024 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-Clinician for Vandoren and provides clinics for directors and students across the country. Kristen has traveled across the great state of Texas and across the USA where she has performed as a guest soloist.
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 had 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 is now pursuing a degree in Nursing. Her son Michael is a graduate of Northwest high school and is attending Principia College to pursue his baseball and business career.
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.
John Searcy, Bassoon
John Searcy is a native of Pflugerville, Texas and presently serves as principal bassoonist of the Dallas Opera. He also plays principal bassoon with the Abilene Philharmonic, and second bassoon with the Plano Symphony Orchestra. John earned an undergraduate degree and a performer’s diploma from Southern Methodist University, where he studied with Wilfred Roberts. His other prior teachers include William Lewis and Jill Yates. Outside of music, John enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and running the Katy Trail In Dallas.
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, 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, Tuba
Jacob is a performer, educator, and doctoral student at the University of North Texas. Within the past two years his students have won twenty-five honor band positions, with thirteen being TMEA All-Region. He currently teaches low-brass music lessons in Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD and Northwest ISD.
In addition to teaching music lessons, Jacob has also been a conductor for the University of North Texas’ 7 O’clock Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, a low brass sectional instructor across the USA, a TMEA adjudicator, and a summer music instructor for the Salvation Army at Camp Hoblitzelle.
As a performer, Jacob has been a tubist in multiple ensembles including the Latin Grammy nominated North Texas Wind Symphony and the touring brass group The King's Brass. While on tour, Jacob's responsibilities would include performing music and choreography from memory, assisting in live sound, and other supportive roles. He can be heard on the North Texas Wind Symphony albums Respair, Closure, and The King's Brass album Festive Brass.
He is an A.B.D. or “All But Dissertation” doctoral candidate at the University of North Texas, anticipating graduation in 2026-2027. 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. His primary music instructors are Craig Knox, Dave Saltzman, Donald Little and Matthew Good.
Originally from Michigan, Jacob enjoys spending time with family, friends, playing video games, and playing fetch with his two dogs: Bear and Ruby.
To sign up for music lessons, please go to: https://jacobfulkerson.com/music-lessons
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