B.S. Music Ed. Texas A&M University-Commerce

M.Ed. The University of Texas at Arlington 

Lara Whitehouse is entering her sixteenth year of teaching and her second year as Director of Bands at Cross Timbers Middle School.  At Cross Timbers Middle School, Mrs. Whitehouse conducts the Honors Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, and teaches beginner trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba classes.

Prior to joining GCISD and Cross Timbers Middle School, Mrs. Whitehouse served as a band director in Irving ISD, Duncanville ISD, and spent the majority of her career teaching in Highland Park ISD at Highland Park Middle School and McCulloch Intermediate School. During her time in Highland Park, the HPMS bands earned consistent first divisions ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contests and were named a Commended Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Contest. The bands also received unanimous superior ratings at a variety of festivals and contests. In addition to teaching at MIS/HPMS, she also assisted with the Highland Park High School “Highlander” Marching Band. Mrs. Whitehouse was a recipient of the “Heart at Work Award” in HPISD for the 2019-2020 school year. Before joining the HPISD band staff, she served on the band staff at Richardson High School.

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Mrs. Whitehouse holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Mrs. Whitehouse has served on the Texas Music Educators Association State Board as the Region 20 Secretary and currently serves as the TMEA Region 31 Secretary. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.

B.M. Music Ed. University of North Texas

Sylvia Nalbandian is excited to begin her first year teaching at Cross Timbers Middle School. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a degree in Music Education. Ms. Nalbandian conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches beginner flute, clarinet saxophone, and double reeds classes.

During her time at UNT, she had the opportunity to study clarinet under Professor Deborah Fabian for four years. Her performing ensembles include in the Wind Ensemble under Dr. Daniel Cook, the Wind Orchestra under Dr. Andrew Trachsel, and the Green Brigade, where she served as drum major for two years. In her last semester, she had the privilege of student teaching at Heritage Middle School and Colleyville Heritage High school, and is thrilled to continue being in GCISD!

Ms. Nalbandian taught clarinet private lessons and was a marching band technician for Byron Nelson and Lewisville High School. Ms. Nalbandian was the recipient of the TMEA Student Teaching Scholarship as well as the National Association of Music Education (NAfME) Future Music Educator Award. 

In her free time, Ms. Nalbandian enjoys reading, drawing, hanging out with her friends, and spending time with her dog and cat, Daisy and Tiger!