Bearkat Marching Band Faculty and Staff
Darla McBryde is the Assistant Director of Bands and the Acting Director of the Bearkat Marching Band. She served as the Associate Director of the BMB from 2019 - 2024. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Ms. McBryde previously served as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair at Timber Creek High School in Keller ISD, as the Assistant Band Director at Keller High School, and as an Assistant Band Director and Colorguard Director at Flower Mound High School in Lewisville ISD.
During her seventeen years of teaching high school concert bands of all levels, her ensembles earned twenty-two consecutive UIL Concert and Sight-reading First Division Awards. In 2016, the Timber Creek High School Wind Symphony was awarded the opportunity to perform at the Western International Band Clinic. Other concert highlights include, the Timber Creek High School Saxophone Ensemble Showcase performance at the 2019 Texas Music Educators Association Conference, and the Keller Chamber Winds Performance at the 2012 Midwest Clinic.
Ms. McBryde has enjoyed sharing her love of the marching arts with her students. Under her direction, the Timber Creek High School Marching Band flourished, earning Superior Ratings at all UIL Marching Contests and becoming consistent finalists at Bands of America Texas Regionals and at UIL Area Marching Contests. Her JV and Varsity colorguards at Flower Mound High School were perennial medalists at the North Texas Colorguard Association Championships from 2002 to 2008, and they were regular Scholastic A finalists and medalists at Winterguard International Regionals. In 2008, the Flower Mound High School Colorguard earned fifth place in Scholastic A at the Winterguard International World Championships.
Ms. McBryde holds a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University where she studied bassoon. Her performance experience includes performing in the Baylor University Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, Chamber ensembles, and Waco Symphony. Ms. McBryde also performed with the 1999 Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps as a colorguard member.
Ms. McBryde enjoys serving as a Marching Band, Concert Band, and Chamber Ensemble adjudicator, and she has presented clinics at the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, the Midwest Clinic, and the Women Band Directors International Convention. Her favorite topics include: Self Care Tips for Busy Music Directors, and Colorguard and Movement Basics for Band Directors.
Personal accolades earned throughout her career include, Timber Creek’s Creative Impact Award and Fine Arts Teacher of the Year, Flower Mound High School’s Teacher of the Month and Principal’s Shining Star, and Lewisville ISD’s Golden Apple Award. Professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, Women Band Directors International, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Association of College Teachers, Mu Phi Epsilon.
Director of the Bearkat Marching Band
Professor of Music
Brian Gibbs is serving as Interim Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Media for the 2024-2025 academic year. He is a Professor of Music, Associate Director of Bands, and Associate Director of the Center for Music Education at Sam Houston State University. Dr. Gibbs was the Director of the Bearkat Marching Band from 2010 - 2024. He is the conductor of the Symphonic Band and teaches courses in music education. Dr. Gibbs holds degrees from Southern Methodist University, Amberton University, and the Walden University Richard Riley School of Education. He studied conducting at the University of Houston with Eddie Green and is privileged to have been mentored by Carroll Cantrell, Tom Bennett, Malcolm Helm, and Dr. Matthew McInturf. Before his appointment at SHSU, Dr. Gibbs served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Texas Christian University. He previously taught in the public schools of Birdville, Cypress-Fairbanks, Carrolton-Farmers Branch, and Richardson, Texas.
Dr. Gibbs serves as Chairman of the Board for the Worldwide Concurrent Premieres Commissioning Fund, administering the consortium for Steve Danyew’s Lamentation for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble and Frank Ticheli’s Flute Concerto, Silver Lining. He is the Editor-in-Chief for Praxis, the online journal for SHSU's Center for Music Education, and is an active member of the College Band Directors National Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, Performance Studies International, and the Publishers International Linking Association.
Matthew McInturf
Director of Bands
Professor of Music
Matthew McInturf is Professor of Music, Director of Bands and Director of the Center for Music Education at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He previously taught at Florida International University and in the public schools of Richardson, Texas.
Dr. McInturf received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he was a student of Eugene Migliaro Corporon. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory from the University of North Texas, where he studied conducting with Anshel Brusilow and a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Houston where he studied composition with Michael Horvit and conducting with Eddie Green.
Throughout his career, Dr. McInturf's ensembles have been recognized for their musical accomplishment. He has performed throughout the United States and recordings of his performances have been broadcast on National Public Radio. In 1991, conducting the J. J. Pearce High School Band, he performed an acclaimed concert at the Mid-West clinic, with trombone soloist Christian Lindberg. He has performed at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the American Bandmasters Association Convention and the Southwest Regional Convention of the College Band Directors National Association with the SHSU Wind Ensemble.
An advocate of new music, Dr. McInturf has continued to commission new works for wind ensemble. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the World-Wide Concurrent Premiers and Commissioning Fund, Inc., a non-profit corporation that works internationally to form consortiums to commission significant new works from contemporary composers. Dr. McInturf has served on the National Commissioning Committee of the College Band Directors National Association and the Commissioning Committee of the American Bandmasters Association.
Dr. McInturf has an ongoing commitment to music education and frequently serves as a presenter for teacher in-service and consultant for public schools. He has been a guest lecturer in music education for universities and professional conferences. In his role as the Director of the SHSU Center for Music Education, he coordinates a program of performance based pedagogy workshops that offer valuable tools for practicing teachers and is the Managing Editor of Praxis, the online journal of the Center for Music Education. He has served on the College Band Directors National Association Music Education Task Force.
Dr. McInturf is the Vice President and Chair of the College Division of the Texas Music Educators Association. He is a Past President of the Texas Bandmasters Association, and a
Past President of the Southwestern Division of the College Band Directors National Association. He is active in the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the American Bandmasters Association and is a member of the College Music Society. In 2017, he was honored by the Texas Bandmasters Association as “Bandmaster of the Year.”
John Lane
Director of Percussion Studies
Associate Professor of Music
Dr. John Lane is an active percussion soloist, chamber musician, composer, educator, and has performed throughout the Americas and Japan. Recent credits include performances with his percussion trio (with Christopher Deane and Brian Zator), Pulsus, at the Hokuto International Music Festival in Japan, a concerto performance with the National Symphony of Panama, an appearance on the Van Cliburn Foundation's concert series, Modern at the Modern, at the Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art, and presentations at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009.
Currently, John is Director of Percussion Studies and Associate Professor at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where he teaches applied percussion and directs the Sam Houston Percussion Group and SHSU Steel Band. Prior to his appointment at SHSU, John taught as a lecturer at the University of Wyoming and as a teaching fellow at the University of North Texas and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Commissioning new works for percussion and creative collaborations are an integral part of John's work. Over the last few years, he has been connected with a number of composers including Peter Garland, Emiliano Pardo, Mara Helmuth, Michael Fiday, Christopher Deane, John Luther Adams, Kyle Gann, Michael Byron, Wen Hui Xie, Jude Traxler, Kazuaki Shiota and Alex Kotch.
His compositions have been featured on the Sonic Explorations concert series, the MUSICX new music festival at the Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music; the Loeffler New Music Symposium at Chico State University in California; and at the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center. One of his works, Sparrow Song, was recently published in Notations 21 (New York: Mark Batty Publishers, 2008). John has several on-going interdisciplinary collaborations with writers Ann McCutchan and Todd Boss, percussionist Allen Otte, and has created original music for choreographer/dancer Hillary Bryan.
John has recorded for the Klavier and GIA record labels with the North Texas Wind Symphony and can be heard on the television series, Wyoming Voices (produced by Wyoming Public Television). Articles, interviews, and educational writing have been published in Windsong, 21st-Century Music, Texas Band Master's Review and Percussive Notes. John is also a former marching member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.
John has presented clinics and masterclasses on topics including contemporary music, orchestral percussion, and jazz drum set at the following institutions/venues: Danilo Perez Jazz Foundation, National Institute of Culture in Panama, Texas Music Educator's Association Convention, Texas Band Master's Association Convention, Percussive Arts Society Days of Percussion (Wyoming, Louisiana, and Texas), University of Colorado, Colorado State University, University of Wyoming, University of Arizona, Chico State University, Southern Oregon University, Stephen F. Austin State University, University of Hawaii, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and the University of Mississippi.
John holds a DMA in percussion performance from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a MM from the University of North Texas, and a BM from Stephen F. Austin State University. John is also a Yamaha Performing Artist and an Artist for Innovative Percussion and Evans Drumheads.
Boyce Jeffries
Adjunct Percussion Professor
Boyce Jeffries, Jr. is in his third year of serving as a faculty member with the Sam Houston State School of Music. He teaches applied percussion lessons, the percussion methods course for music education majors, music theory, and musicianship / ear training. He is the director of the University Percussion Ensemble, the Second Steel Band, and the Bearkat Drumline.
A native of the West Coast, Boyce completed his first three degrees (B.M., B.M.E., M.M) at California State University–Sacramento under the guidance of percussionists Daniel Kennedy and Christopher Froh and later attended the University of Toronto where he studied with Aiyun Huang and Beverley Johnston. His DMA dissertation examined the “YouTube effect” on the percussion field, primarily pertaining to performance, interpretation, perception, and education. Rather than seeking to reconcile the concerns with and benefits of viewing YouTube videos of percussion performance, he would like to encourage everyone to contextualize these digital experiences and see how they may, or may not, pertain to one’s own practice as a musician.
As a performer and composer, Mr. Jeffries strives to be a “percussive chameleon” that thrives on eclecticism. In addition to his graduate studies in Canada, Boyce served as a percussionist with the Toronto Tabla Ensemble from 2017–2020 under the direction of Ritesh Das. By studying and further understanding the syllabic language of tabla performance, Boyce transcribed the group’s compositions and arranged them to be performed on concert percussion instruments (e.g., vibraphone, marimba, drum set). He can be heard on select tracks from the group’s 7th album, Unexpected Guests, and is excited to continue working with Ritesh and the ensemble.
His debut album, Near & Dear, was released in February of 2022 and contains a collection of original compositions and works in his performance repertoire that have a heightened level of sentimental value to him, personally.
Tim LeBlanc
Color Guard Instructor
Tim LeBlanc was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana where he graduated from Acadiana High School. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he studied music education, was drum major of The Pride of Acadiana marching band, studied horn where he was principal in the UL Wind Ensemble, and was a founding member of the Echelon Brass Quintet. He currently plays horn in The Woodlands Concert Band in The Woodlands, TX. Tim is an Alumni of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps where he marched the horn line. Soon after, he started his colorguard career and began teaching in the Lafayette area.
Tim is the current Instructor for the guard programs at Sam Houston State University and is also the Drill writer and designer for the SHSU Bearkat Marching Band. Tim is the past color guard caption head for the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. Tim has taught and currently designs and choreographs for many successful groups around the country including WGI World Champion, Code Black Winterguard.
Tim resides in the Houston area where he is a flight attendant, is married, and has two awesome dogs.
Kelley McCormick is from Slidell, Louisiana where she began her twirling career at the age of six years old. Training under twirling legends Brooks Going and Cageline Crawford, Kelley competed for twelve years with the National Baton Twirling Association, earning titles such as Miss Majorette of the South and Louisiana State Solo & Strut Champion.
Kelley holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern State University and was a majorette in the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band. After graduation, she obtained her Property and Casualty insurance license in Louisiana and Texas, working for Allstate Insurance Company.
Re-locating to Bentonville, Arkansas, Kelley became the founder of the Benton County Belles Twirling team and Feature Twirler and Winter Guard Coordinator for Shiloh Christian High School, in Springdale, Arkansas.
Baton twirling as always been a great passion of Kelley’s, passing her legacy on to her three daughters. When she is not coaching at Sam, Kelley enjoys judging and teaching private baton lessons to twirlers of all ages.
Brenden Dolehanty
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Bearkat Marching Band
Brenden Dolehanty is pursuing his Master of Music degree in conducting under Dr. Matthew McInturf at Sam Houston State University. He serves as a Graduate Assistant with the Bearkat Marching Band and Concert Bands under the directions of Dr. Matthew McInturf, Dr. Brian Gibbs, and Professor Darla McBryde. Mr. Dolehanty earned his BM degree in music education at Bowling Green State University (OH), studying Saxophone under Distinguished Artist Professor Dr. John Sampen and jazz saxophone with David Bixler. Additionally, Mr. Dolehanty studied at the prestigious Fredrick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute for three summers, where he studied with Dr. Fred Hemke, Dr. Gail Levinsky, Dr. Nathan Nabb, Dr. Jan Berry Baker, and Dr. John Sampen. To further pursue musical mastery while at SHSU, Mr. Dolehanty also studies saxophone with Dr. Scott Plugge.
Mr. Dolehanty began his teaching career at San Felipe Memorial Middle School in Del Rio, Texas, where he taught 6th-grade beginning band for three years. While at SFMMS, he received an Innovative Teaching Grant, was recognized as a District Teacher of the Week in March 2020, and was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2021. Mr. Dolehanty was on staff with the Del Rio High School Marching Band, a consistent BOA Regional Finalist when they advanced to the 2021 6A State UIL Marching Competition for the first time in school history.
Before attending SHSU, Mr. Dolehanty was an Assistant Band Director at Brackenridge High School in San Antonio ISD for two years, directing symphonic (non-varsity), jazz, and beginning bands. He also taught advanced woodwind classes and assisted at Poe Middle School, teaching beginners. In 2022, the high school marching band advanced to UIL Area H for the first time since 2018, and in 2023, the symphonic band achieved sweepstakes.
Mr. Dolehanty’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, the Servant Leadership Association for Music, and the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.
Katelyn Seymour
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Bearkat Marching Band
Katelyn Seymour is pursuing her Master of Music degree in Conducting under Dr. Matthew McInturf at Sam Houston State University. She serves as a Graduate Assistant with the Bearkat Marching Band and Concert Bands under the direction of Dr. Matthew McInturf, Dr. Brian Gibbs, and Professor Darla McBryde. Ms. Seymour previously earned her undergraduate degree in Music Education at Sam Houston State University. During her undergraduate studies, she performed as a member of the Wind Ensemble, served as a Student Assistant for the Bearkat Marching Band, and studied Tuba under Dr. Jerome Stover and Professor Bob Daniel.
Ms. Seymour began her teaching career at Berry Miller Junior High and Rogers Middle School in Pearland, Texas. She directed the Concert 1 and Symphonic Bands during her two years at Berry Miller. She also taught beginning tuba, euphonium, French horn, and trombone classes at Rogers Middle School. Under her direction, the Concert 1 and Symphonic Bands earned consecutive Sweepstakes ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation. They won Best in Class at the Shadow Creek Showcase of Sound. Additionally, Ms. Seymour assisted the Berry Miller Junior High Honors Band under the direction of Chris Bennett as they placed 5th in the state CCC Honor Band contest in 2023 and were invited to the Music for All National Concert Festival in 2024.
Ms. Seymour is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Women Band Directors International. She currently resides in Huntsville with her cat, Grantham. Outside of school, she enjoys teaching lessons and spending time outdoors.
Alex Mata
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Bearkat Marching Band
Alexander Mata was born and raised in Friendswood, Texas. After graduating from Friendswood High School in 2019, he went on to attend the University of Houston, earning his bachelor's in music education in December 2023 and graduating Summa Cum Laude as the Banner Bearer for his class. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Conducting under the tutelage of Dr. Matthew McInturf, as well as instruction from Dr. Brian Gibbs and Professor Darla McBryde.
Mr. Mata studied horn with Mr. Gavin Reed during his undergraduate years at the Moores School of Music. He performed with some of the school's top ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble under Mr. David Bertman, the Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Franz Krager, and the Opera Orchestra under the now-retired Dr. Raymond Harvey. Some of the major selections he played included Handel's Julius Caesar, Persichetti's Masquerade for Band, and Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. In 2022, Mr. Mata performed with the Moores Symphony Orchestra at TMEA, whose program included works such as Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel. The orchestra also performed with TMEA's All-State Mixed Choir that year.
With a passion for both marching and concert band activities, Mr. Mata has been a section leader with the Spirit of Houston Marching Band, a Student-Teacher with Clear Creek Intermediate, a visual technician and Student-Teacher with Clear Creek High School, and a horn lesson teacher with Creekside Intermediate, Mr. Mata enjoys all aspects of teaching and working with others to improve themselves.