Executive Board

Shane Goforth, President

Shane Goforth began his career as a Texas Band Director in 1996. He currently serves as the Director of Bands at North Shore Senior High School in Houston, Texas. Under his direction, the North Shore Senior High bands have advanced to the Texas State Marching Band Championships on six occasions and were a State Finalist and UIL Area F Champion in 2016. The North Shore Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago in 2017 and the Texas Bandmaster’s Convention in 2018 and 2024. The band has earned numerous and consistent UIL Sweepstakes awards and Best in Class recognitions and was named as a Commended Winner in the Foundation for Music Education’s National Wind Band Honors project. In 2023, Shane was awarded the Music Education Alliance’s William P. Foster Community Development Award for his service to his students and community.

Shane previously served as the Director of Bands at Holliday and Aubrey High Schools, where his bands competed at the Texas State Marching Band Championships and were awarded first place in the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series. He is an active adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician and has presented clinics at the Midwest, TMEA, and TBA conventions.

A native of Frisco, Texas, Mr. Goforth started his musical career under the direction of Dr. Daryl Trent and studied saxophone with Brad Leali. He continued his education, earning an Associate of Music in Jazz Saxophone at Weatherford College, a Bachelor of Music with honors from the University of North Texas, and a Master of Music in Conducting from Sam Houston State University

Shane married the love of his life, Lawren, in 1994, and together, they have six children and one awesome grandson. Shane enjoys reading, golf, playing guitar, and spending time with his family in his spare time.

Contact Information
14122 Wadebridge Way
Houston, TX 77015
Bus: (713) 516-7158
president@tmea.org

Jesse Cannon II, Past-President

Jesse Cannon II is currently the Director of Visual & Performing Arts in Fort Worth ISD.  Prior to Fort Worth, he was the Director of Choirs in Duncanville ISD. Mr. Cannon holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Dallas Baptist University and a Masters in Music Education with an Emphasis in Choral Conducting from Mississippi State University.

He has served in various capacities on the local, state, and national level including TMEA Region 20 President, Vocal Chair, and Vocal Secretary and the American Choral Directors Association (Southwest ACDA Repertoire & Resources Chair for High School Mixed Choirs). He is also a member of the Texas Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. He has been the recipient of several grants and scholarships for study and arts advocacy initiatives.

Choirs under his direction have consistently earned superior ratings at regional and state contests, have been named Overall Outstanding and Grand Champion in choral competitions throughout the US, and have rapidly expanded in enrollment to become one of the largest choral programs in the area.  His choirs performed at the 2020 Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the 2021 National American Choral Director’s Association Convention. The Duncanville HS Choir has also been recognized by The American Prize and The Foundation of Music Education Mark of Excellence as a National Winner.

Jesse Cannon II was recognized as a Music Teacher of Excellence by the Country Music Association Foundation (2022), Duncanville HS Teacher of the Year (2021), and been awarded the Grammy Signature School Award for the Duncanville HS Choral Department. He is an active Region Clinician and adjudicates several times each year for the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest.

Contact Information
1407 I.M. Terrell Circle S., Ste. 2203-Room 02
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 814-2635
pastpresident@tmea.org

Jennifer Martin, President-Elect

Jennifer Martin currently serves as the Orchestra/Mariachi Specialist for Fort Worth ISD. She has also served as Head Orchestra Director at Boles Junior High in Arlington ISD and as Director of Orchestras for Midway ISD in Waco, TX.  She began her musical studies as a part of her public school orchestra program in the 5th grade. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Music Education in 2003.

Orchestras under Mrs. Martin’s direction have received consistent UIL Sweepstakes Awards and Best in Class awards at festivals across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They have also ranked among the top ten orchestras in the state in the TMEA State Honor Orchestra contest at the HS and JH/MS levels. She is in frequent demand as a clinician and judge for orchestras around the state.

Mrs. Martin was honored as an AWARE Foundation Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2022 and was the winner of the Smile Doctors Arlington Rockstar Teacher award in 2021. She holds memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association,  Texas Fine Arts Administrators, and Mu Omicron.

Mrs. Martin also stays active as a performer in the viola section of the Waco Symphony Orchestra, where she has shared the stage with Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Edgar Meyer, Renee Fleming, Art Garfunkel, and Lyle Lovett. When she is not teaching or performing, she and her husband Jimmy can be found around the metroplex with their daughter Haley playing cello and soccer and their son Joe playing violin and rock climbing.

Contact Information
4207 Crossgate Ct.
Arlington, TX 76016
817-814-2640
presidentelect@tmea.org

Mike Howard, Vice-President & Band Division Chair

Mike Howard serves as Director of Fine Arts, Music and Performing Arts for the Leander Independent School District. Prior to this, he spent 19 years as a High School Band Director, most recently in Leander ISD at Vandegrift High School.

Under Howard’s direction, the Vandegrift Wind Ensemble was selected as the 2018 TMEA 6A State Honor Band and performed at the 2019 TMEA Convention and was chosen as a featured ensemble at the 2021 Midwest Clinic in Chicago. The Vandegrift Concert Program was also the recipient of the 2020 Sudler Flag of Honor by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and the recipient of the Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction in 2022. At Vandegrift HS, Mr. Howard’s Marching Bands have been recognized with several high honors such as 2019 BOA Grand National Champion, 4-time BOA Regional Champion, consistent BOA Super Regional Finalist, BOA Super Regional Class Champion, 6A UIL State Marching Contest Silver Medalist, 6A UIL State Marching Contest Bronze Medalist and 5A UIL State Marching Contest Silver Medalist. The Vandegrift HS Marching Band was also awarded the Sudler Shield by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 2019. Prior to his time in Leander ISD, Mr. Howard was an assistant band director in Katy ISD.

Mr. Howard has served as Texas Music Adjudicators Association Concert Band Vice-President, TMEA Region 32 Band Division Chair, and TMEA Area E Band Division Chair. He is also an active clinician around Texas and has served as an adjudicator for UIL, Bands of America, and Drum Corps International.

Mr. Howard’s professional affiliations include membership in the American Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association (TMAA), and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He graduated from Texas State University – San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and from Concordia University Texas with a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. He lives in Leander, Texas, with his wife Amber, daughter Madison, and son Justin.

Contact Information
11301 Hill Dr.
Leander, TX 78641
(512) 570-0161
bandvp@tmea.org

Sabrina Behrens, Vice-President & Orchestra Division Chair

Sabrina Behrens is a passionate musician, athlete, and lifelong learner. With over 18 years in music education, she has cultivated a love for the arts that extends beyond the classroom. Sabrina is the Director of Orchestras at Travis High School in Fort Bend ISD, where she has played a key role in growing the orchestra program. In 2019, she was named Teacher of the Year for Travis High School. Her dedication to music education is matched by her personal commitment to fostering growth and self-improvement.

Sabrina earned a Master’s in Music in Double Bass Performance from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Baylor University. Her educational background reflects her commitment to excellence and continued professional development.

In addition to her teaching career, Sabrina is a member of TMEA, TODA, and NAMfE. As TMEA Region 13 Orchestra Division Chair, she played a key role in organizing auditions, clinics, and events, further supporting her dedication to music education across the state.

Outside of her professional achievements, Sabrina is an accomplished athlete who has completed three Ironman triathlons. She enjoys spending time with her husband Samuel and their two dogs, Tyler and Dakota, and together, they cheer for their favorite sports teams, including the Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, Michigan Wolverines, Baylor Bears, and Dallas Cowboys.

An active performer, Sabrina plays with the Brazos Valley and Lake Charles Symphonies, continuing her lifelong dedication to music. Sabrina’s passion for personal growth and the arts is evident in everything she does.

Contact Information
19918 Nandina Knoll
Richmond, TX 77407
(281) 633-6300
orchestravp@tmea.org

Jennifer Gallagher, Vice-President and Vocal Division Chair

Jennifer Gallagher is in her 17th year in education in Alvin ISD. She was previously the 2008 inaugural head choir director at Nolan Ryan Junior High before opening Shadow Creek High School in 2016.

A 2008 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Houston, Jennifer was voted as the “Teacher of the Year” for her campus and was the Secondary “Teacher of the Year” for Alvin ISD in 2013-2014. She was also a state finalist for an HEB “Excellence in Education” award in 2014. Jennifer received the “Young Director of Distinction” Award from the Texas Choral Directors Association and served as Vice President for the MS/JH division of TCDA. An active leader in music education, Jennifer has served TMEA as the MS/JH vocal coordinator, HS vocal chair, and Region XVII President. She has also served on the TMEA IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) committee. She is the former TMEA Area H vocal chair.

An active clinician and TMAA adjudicator, her varsity treble choir performed at the Bay Area Chorus Invitational in 2011, her varsity tenor-bass performed at the “Hear the Future” Invitational with the Houston Chamber Choir in 2016, and the varsity mixed choirs of Shadow Creek have performed at the University of Houston High School Invitational in both 2018 and 2022. The Shadow Creek Varsity Tenor-Bass choir was an invited ensemble for the 2025 TMEA convention and will also be the honor choir for the American Classic Celebration of Excellence festival in April 2025.

Jennifer served a three-year term on the UIL PML committee and presented staff development workshops in Aldine, Clear Creek, Pearland, Galena Park, Fort Bend, and at TMEA and TCDA conventions. She founded YOUnity Playground, a social media organization committed to connecting music educators and prioritizing their mental health. She resides with her husband John and daughters Lily & Penelope in Pearland.

Contact Information
3710 Paigewood Drive
Pearland, TX 77584
(281) 245-3865
vocalvp@tmea.org

Lauren Summa, Vice-President and Elementary Division Chair

Lauren Summa teaches music at Melba Passmore Elementary in the Alvin Independent School District, where she has been recognized as both district and campus Teacher of the Year. She is an active presenter for school districts and music education organizations at the local and state levels. Lauren has extensive experience serving students in specialized behavior programs and has taught in Title I schools throughout her career. Passmore Percussion was an Invited Elementary Performing Ensemble for the Texas Music Educators Association in 2018.

Lauren is an active member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) and the Texas Gulf Coast Orff Association (TGCOA). She is an AOSA Teacher Educator and teaches Basic Level I for the Jackson State University and Alvin ISD. Lauren serves as a member of AOSA’s Orff-Schulwerk Educational Programming subcommittee. She has served as President and Secretary for TGCOA.

Singing is an essential part of both her professional and personal life. Lauren is a founding member of Casulana, the Women’s Choir of Houston, under the direction of Janwin Overstreet-Goode and Neena Taylor. Additionally, she sings with her son and future daughter-in-law in the Alvin Community Chorus with Dr. Kevin Moody.

Lauren lives in Alvin, Texas, with her husband Andy, son Quen, and mom Lynn.

Contact Information
600 Kost Road
Alvin, TX 77511
(281) 585-6696 x 3126
elementaryvp@tmea.org

Carter Biggers, Vice-President and College Division Chair

Carter Biggers, DMA, is Director of Bands, Associate Professor of Music, and Co-Lead in the Division of Music at Texas Woman’s University. Prior to his appointment to TWU in 2016, he was Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Pennsylvania State University and a graduate fellow and teaching assistant in the School of Music at the University of Iowa. He holds degrees from The University of Iowa (DMA) and Texas Tech University (MM and BM). In addition to his university teaching experiences, Dr. Biggers was a high school and junior high band director in Texas, where his students and ensembles consistently received top ratings at local and state contests.

Dr. Biggers is a passionate advocate for the creation of new wind band music and is regularly involved in commissioning works by a diverse group of established and emerging composers. Other research interests lie in diversity, equity, and inclusion in programming practices and in primary and secondary classroom educational materials. Additionally, he is an active guest conductor, adjudicator, clinician, and researcher.

His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, National Association for Music Education, Association of Concert Bands, Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Contact Information
Texas Woman’s University
Division of Music
304 Administration Drive
Denton, TX 76209
(940) 898-2689
collegevp@tmea.org