Directors Bios
KEN JOHNSON
Director of Bands
Finances, Transportation, Communication, Attendance
Solo and Ensemble Contest, Band Boosters Coordination
ken.johnson@southlakecarroll.edu
(817) 949-5653
As Carroll ISD Director of Bands, Mr. Johnson's duties include supervising the district's band programs. He oversees the Dragon Marching Band, and serves as conductor for the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds-Green.
Born in Dallas, Mr. Johnson received his collegiate training at The University of Texas, where his professional influences included Jerry Junkin, Glenn Richter, Paula Crider, Dr. Robert Carnochan, Dr. Mark Belcik, Dr. Scott Hanna, Dr. Mark Spede, George Frock, and Phillip Clements. Under the direction of Mr. Richter and Ms. Crider, Mr. Johnson was a 3-year section leader in the U.T. Drumline, Treasurer in the Alpha Tau chapter of the service fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi, and President of the Longhorn Band in 1996-1997.
He is married to his college sweetheart Kathryn and they have three children – Ryan, Valerie, and Kayla.
Mr. Johnson has been named to “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers”, and is a member of Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association.
DAVID LOWN
Associate Band Director
Director of Jazz Bands
Woodwind Coordinator, Music Theory
david.lown@southlakecarroll.edu
(817) 949-5912
DAVID LOWN is a graduate (M.M., B.M.) of the University of North Texas, where he performed for three years with the acclaimed One O’Clock Lab Band and directed the Four O’Clock Lab Band. While a member of the One O’Clock, Lown toured Scandinavia and the Southwest U.S., recorded a live album with Kenny Wheeler, and performed with many other artists such as Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Bill Watrous, and Tim Hagans. In 2002, Lown was the winner of the North American Saxophone Alliance Jazz competition and was named Outstanding Graduate Student in Jazz Studies.
After graduating from UNT, Lown worked actively as a saxophonist in New York City for several years, performing with the Dave Liebman Big Band, Bill Warfield’s New York Fusion Ensemble, and many others. Lown has recorded professionally with many artists and ensembles, including rock group Bowling for Soup (Rock On Honorable Ones; Jive 55531), the Dave Liebman Big Band (Live - As Always; Mama 1039), The Steve Haines Quintet featuring Jimmy Cobb (Stickadiboom; Zoho 200903), and the Stockton Helbing Quartet (Patina; Armored 8040).
Mr. Lown has directed the jazz program at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas since 2008. Under his direction, Carroll Jazz Ensembles have been named national finalists at the prestigious Essentially Ellington competition for 2010, 2014, and 2018. In both 2010 and 2014, the Carroll Jazz Orchestra received the Outstanding Brass award. Lown’s top Jazz Ensemble also earned the honor of Texas Invited High School Jazz Ensemble in 2013, and all three of his curricular jazz groups have won numerous first place trophies at local jazz competitions over the past seven years. Lown was named Carroll Senior High School’s Teacher of the Year for 2013-2014, and was elected President of the Texas Jazz Educators Association in July of 2015.
PHILIP JONES
Associate Band Director
Visual & Brass Coordinator, Media, North Texas Giving Day, Charms, Private Lessons, Instrument Inventory & Lockers
philip.jones@southlakecarroll.edu
(817) 949-5637
PHILIP JONES received his Bachelors in Music Education from the University of North Texas. He was also a marching band tech at Flower Mound High School (2013-15) and student taught at Wakeland High School in Frisco.
Mr. Jones marched with Carolina Crown and was the Flugelhorn soloist in 2015. Mr. Jones went on to teach Legends Drum Corps and Guardians Drum Corps. He is also currently an Educational Clinician for System Blue, teaching leadership camps throughout the summer.
Previously, Mr. Jones was an Assistant Band Director at Centennial High School in Burleson, TX.
Mr. Jones is a member of Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmaster’s Association. He grew up in Flower Mound, TX, graduating from Marcus High School.
David Walker
Percussion Director
David Walker returns to the Dragon Band family as the Percussion Director.
Mr. Walker is currently an active composer, arranger, educator, and adjudicator. David’s music arrangement ensembles have been Texas UIL State Champions, State finalists, as well as multiple UIL Area Finalists performing his winds, percussion, and sound design arrangements. As a judge, David has adjudicated for USBands, North Texas Colorguard Association, Texas Colorguard Association, MIA, and more.
Prior to freelance work, Mr. Walker previously served as assistant band director/percussion director for Southlake Carroll HS. His indoor percussion ensemble medaled in NTCA every year as well as multiple WGI events. While at Southlake, Mr. Walker oversaw significant growth in the all-region process and organized district-wide percussion ensemble concerts.
Mr. Walker earned his Bachelor’s in Music from Middle Tennessee and Master’s in Percussion Performance from TCU. He previously directed the Baylor Drumline and is currently serving as the Ensemble Coordinator for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and previously Spirit of Atlanta.
Mr. Walker is a proud endorser of Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets and spends his free time with his wife and two children, and training for cycling events.
JAMES THOMAS
Director of Color Guard
James.Thomas@southlakecarroll.edu
JAMES THOMAS is the Director of Color Guard at Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas. Mr. Thomas also works with high schools in Mesquite ISD as well as Bishop Lynch HS.
Mr. Thomas is a well-known color guard designer and choreographer throughout the United States. He has had the opportunity to design and work with award winning bands from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Georgia, Florida, and Oklahoma. Mr. Thomas was formerly the director of Color Guards at Coppell HS, Northwestern State University, and LD Bell HS. He is also a former drill team director where he was named a Top Ten Drill Team Directors of America Award recipient.
His groups have won many awards and accolades including: WGI World Championship Finalists, WGI Regional Champions, NTCA State Champions, BOA Grand National Finalist, BOA Regional Finalist, UIL State Marching Band Champion, UIL State Marching Band Finalist, and many other numerous awards on a local and national level. He has also had the opportunity to work with several groups on the Drum Corps International Circuit. Mr. Thomas works with Bowl Games of America, where he has choreographed large scale productions for such events as the Sugar Bowl, the Orange Bowl, the Liberty Bowl, the Alamo Bowl, the Gator Bowl, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade and many other large scale productions.
Mr. Thomas is a native of California, where he had the opportunity to perform with some of the top winter guards and drum and bugle corps in the country. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and currently resides in Carrollton, Texas.
NICK MCCONAUGHEY
Assistant Percussion Director
Nick McConnaughey is an accomplished educator, arranger, and composer with a passion for percussion pedagogy. Born and raised in the United States, Nick has dedicated his life to music and has become a well-respected figure in the music community.
Over the years, Nick has become a recognized face in the percussive arts, and has shared his knowledge with students and educators alike. He has given masterclasses and clinics throughout the United States and Europe. Nick's compositions and arrangements have been performed by numerous ensembles across multiple continents. His works have been praised for their originality, creativity, and technical proficiency. When not writing or teaching, he finds time to pursue his other interests, including checking out new art exhibits and exploring state parks. He is an avid hiker and nature enthusiast, and often incorporates his love of the outdoors into his music.