Mr. Wood, a native of Van Alstyne, developed a love of music at an early age when he began singing in church choirs and later took up the trumpet and piano. Music has afforded him the opportunities to perform in many cities across the U.S. and abroad.

Mr. Wood received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education (cum laude) in 2015 from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.  His teaching career has included both classroom and choral music education. While at Texas Tech, he served as the Director of Children’s Music at St. John’s United Methodist Church and as a Teaching Artist with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. He also assisted with Texas Tech’s men’s and women’s choral festivals, and directed the University Singers as a student apprentice. 

Mr. Wood taught elementary music for 2 years in Lubbock,TX, which included serving as an assistant for the West Texas Children's Chorus under the direction of Dr. Susan Brumfield. Upon his return to north Texas, he served as the elementary music specialist at Van Alstyne Elementary School and Sanford Elementary School where he was selected as Teacher of the Year for the 2017-2018 school year. In 2022, Mr. Wood took on the duties of the secondary choral program in Van Alstyne as the Director of Choirs for VAISD. In the Fall of 2025, he assumed the role of Associate Conductor with the National Children’s Chorus where he conducts the Sonata/Concerto Level choir. Mr. Wood has also performed 5 seasons with the world-renowned men’s chorus, Turtle Creek Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Seelig.

Mr. Wood is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA), and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

Mr. Wood strives to teach with wisdom, courage and grace while fostering a love, appreciation and understanding of choral music.

✉️hwood@vanalstyneisd.org

Assistant Director

With a lifelong passion for music and education, Mrs. Schauer brings both experience and enthusiasm to the Van Alstyne ISD choir program. Her musical journey began at a young age and continued through high school, where she actively participated in many ensembles and honor choirs.  She earned her Bachelors degree in Music Education from East Texas A&M University, Commerce TX. She also studied graduate level courses and Kodaly certification through Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. 

Mrs. Schauer began her teaching career at Griffin Middle School in The Colony, TX. She has also taught Kindermusik in Plano and private instruction in piano and voice.  She taught music and choir in Prosper ISD before joining Van Alstyne. 

Her vocal talent and dedication later led her to perform for over five seasons with the esteemed Dallas Symphony Chorus under the direction of Dr. Joshua Habermann. 

Today, she is committed to building strong, confident singers and fostering a culture of excellence, discipline, and joy through choral music. She enjoys living and working in Van Alstyne with her husband of 21 years and six beautiful children, all proud panthers!

✉️rschauer@vanalstyneisd.org