Directors
Embedded Files
Jim Palmer
Director of Bands
Director of Bands
Jim Palmer is beginning his twenty-ninth year of teaching and his first year at Ursula Rakow Middle School in Rockwall ISD. He most recently finished his 4th year as the Director of Bands at Cain Middle School also in Rockwall ISD. He is also the TMEA Region 3 Middle School Band Coordinator.
Under his direction, the Cain and Brandenburg Varsity and Non-Varsity Bands received consistent sweepstakes awards at annual UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluations and various best in class awards at festival competitions. In 2017, the Brandenburg Honors Band was selected as a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence/National Wind Band Honors Project and was a Texas state honor band area finalist in 2015 and 2017. Mr. Palmer was selected campus Teacher of the Year for the 2019-2020 school year and served as middle school band lead teacher for Garland ISD from 2017 to 2019.
Mr. Palmer has a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Southern Methodist University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association, the International Trombone Association, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
In his time away from band directing, Mr. Palmer enjoys spending time with his wife Kasye, who is a music therapist, his son Kyle, who plays the bassoon, and their puppy Bella. He also enjoys visiting the mountains as often as possible and cheering on the Dallas Stars. Mr. Palmer is passionate about sharing his love of music with others and cannot wait to get started working with the students and parents at Rakow Middle School.
Becca Odom
Associate Director of Bands
Associate Director of Bands
Becca Odom serves as an Associate Band Director at Rakow Middle School. This will be Ms. Odom’s second year teaching, and she’s very excited to be part of the Rakow Band!
Ms. Odom attended Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating magna cum laude in 2024. At SFA, she studied saxophone under Dr. Bob Eason and Dr. Nathan Nabb. Ms. Odom was also part of the SFA Wind Ensemble, various jazz ensembles, and saxophone quartets. She holds memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota.
In addition to teaching, Ms. Odom enjoys spending time playing her saxophone, playing with her dogs and cat, and spending time outdoors.
Bastian Wood
Director of Percussion
Director of Percussion
Bastian Wood is one of the Percussion Directors for Rockwall-Heath High School. Originally from Fort Worth, TX, Mr. Wood received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at Arlington, followed by his Master’s degree in Music Performance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
In addition to teaching in Rockwall ISD, Mr. Wood is a member of the front ensemble staff at Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. As a performer, Mr. Wood was a member of Vigilantes Indoor Percussion, the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, and was a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard. Bastian has studied with many instructors around the country including Dr. Dave Hall, Dr. Andrew Eldridge, Dr. Michael Varner, Dr. Brian West, Paul and Sandi Rennick, Lauren Teel, Tyler Orbison, Maverick Peterson, Rod Kosterman, and Stuart Spoon.
Joseph Guzman
Director of Percussion
Director of Percussion
Joseph Guzman is a dedicated music educator and percussionist with over 13 years of experience developing high-performing band and percussion programs across Texas. He currently serves as one of the Percussion Directors at Rockwall-Heath High School in Rockwall ISD, where he brings a legacy of musical excellence, student mentorship, and ensemble leadership to one of the premier music programs in the state.
Mr. Guzman earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Texas A&M University–Kingsville, where he served as the drumline leader for the Javelina Marching Band during his final two years. This experience solidified his passion for percussion pedagogy and shaped his collaborative, performance-driven teaching philosophy.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Guzman has held impactful roles at Flour Bluff ISD, Taft ISD, Brownsville ISD, and Corpus Christi ISD. His programs have achieved consistent UIL Sweepstakes Awards, UIL Solo & Ensemble State qualifications, and multiple podium finishes at the TECA Indoor Percussion State Championships. His groups have also advanced through the TMEA and ATSSB Honor Band process.
At Taft ISD, he developed a competitive and well-rounded percussion program that produced 10 ATSSB All-State musicians and more than two dozen Area qualifiers—a testament to his dedication to technical mastery and student growth. At Flour Bluff, he launched the district’s Indoor Percussion Ensemble Organization, further expanding performance opportunities for students.
Mr. Guzman's roots in the marching arts are foundational to his career. He marched as a snare drummer with Mystikal Drum & Bugle Corps from New Park, California in 2009, before joining the Genesis Drum & Bugle Corps percussion staff in 2010, 2012, and 2013. These DCI experiences continue to inform his teaching with a focus on precision, performance excellence, and ensemble unity.
His approach to education has been shaped by key mentors including Randy Fluman, Dr. Jason Kihle, Dillon Ingle, and Dr. Brian Shelton, whose influence helped instill a deep commitment to integrity, artistry, and service in the classroom and on the field.
Joseph is proudly married to his wife, Alyssa, and together they raise three wonderful children and their loyal dog, Wilbert. He remains driven to make a lasting impact through music education—cultivating leadership, discipline, and passion in every student he teaches.
Page updated
Report abuse