Officers & Directors

Jay played Alto Sax in Band 2 from 2001-2005 and serves on the GBA Board as the President. He graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in History and a minor in Music and began teaching at Ropes ISD. He is in his 16th year at Ropes and serves as the District Technology Director, One-Act Play Director, Assistant Band Director, UIL Coach, and Yearbook Advisor. Jay’s wife, Coleen, is a teacher at Frenship Middle School and is also a Texas Tech graduate. They have two daughters (Jadyn – 12, and Jordyn – 8) who both love Texas Tech and are future Red Raiders.

Jim Dorton was a Band 2 Trumpet player in the band from 1987-1990, during which time he was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi (Delta Zeta Class) and the Court Jesters. He currently lives in Lubbock with his wife, Amanda. He currently owns his own landscaping business in Lubbock called Big Guy’s Landscaping.

Kami Miller was a Band 2 Trombone player 2006, 2008-2009, and a Sousaphone player 2007 and served as a drill instructor in 2008. She received her BS in Family and Consumer Sciences with teaching certification in 2010 and an M.Ed in Education Instructional Technology in 2014. Kami lives in Seagraves with her son (Tobias) where she works for Seagraves ISD as the district Instructional Technology Specialist.

Stephen Bearden was a Trumpet player in the Band 2 from 1992-1996. He currently lives in Lubbock with his wife Holly. He still plays in the Westwinds Brass Band & Hub City Jazz Orchestra in addition to Band Alumni Day and Alumni Court Jesters. For the last 15 years they have owned & operated Lubbock Discount Realty. They have 2 children, Bonnie (Band Director & Goin’ Band alum) and Katie (Senior at Tech).

Allison (Turner) Graham was a Band 2 Piccolo player in the band from 1992-1995, during which time she was a member of Tau Beta Sigma, Symphony Orchestra, and Symphonic Band. Allison was a Middle School and High School Band Director in Central Texas, then worked as a Group Travel Consultant and Account Manager for Director’s Choice Tour and Travel. She currently lives in Lubbock.

Nancy (Owens) Schunke was a Band II Trombone from 1988-91 & ’93. She was active in Tau Beta Sigma and served as Corresponding Secretary. Nancy lives in Lubbock with her husband, Richard, who is an employee of Texas Tech and a Tech Alum. She currently teaches chemistry, engineering, and robotics at Coronado High School in Lubbock.

Coming soon

Kelsey was a Band 1 clarinet player from 2009-2013. She received her MS degree in Clinical Psychology and now works as a Licensed Professional Counselor at her own practice (Brewer Counseling, LLC). She resides in Lubbock, Texas, and is married to Chris Brewer (Band 1 Trombone),

Dr. Sarah McKoin is the Director of Bands at Texas Tech University and Associate Professor of Music as well as Director of the Wind Ensemble at the Brevard Music Center in Brevard, North Carolina. Dr. McKoin conducts the Texas Tech University Wind Ensemble and teaches all levels of conducting and wind literature. She is entering her ninth summer in residence at the Brevard Music Center where she serves on the conducting faculty and conducts the Transylvania Wind Ensemble comprised of college-aged musicians from throughout the country.