.jpg)
WELCOME
TO THE
LINDA JOBE
MAVERICK BAND
DIRECTORS
Elisabeth McConnell serves as the Director of Bands for Linda Jobe Middle School and Donna Shepard Leadership Academy and is in her 23rd year as a music educator. She teaches the Jobe Honors Band, beginning brass, and beginning double reed classes.
Prior to coming to Mansfield, Mrs. McConnell taught in Plano ISD where she was the Head Band Director at Haggard Middle School and Assistant Band Director at Plano Senior High School, Jasper High School, and Rice Middle School. Bands under her direction have consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes ratings and many of her students have gone on to excel musically in their high school years and beyond. She has also served as a private French Horn Instructor and master class clinician throughout the years in several area school districts.
Mrs. McConnell grew up in Plano, TX and holds a Bachelors of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas College of Music. She performed on the French horn with the highly acclaimed North Texas Wind Symphony, the UNT Symphony Orchestra, and UNT Green Brigade. Mrs. McConnell was fortunate to be a part of several impacting experiences as a young musician, performing with the Haggard MS 3C Texas Honor band in 1991 and with the Plano Senior High School Symphony Orchestra at Midwest in 1993 and Carnegie Hall in 1995. She continues to perform as a musician, most recently with the Mansfield Wind Symphony.
Mrs. McConnell currently resides in Mansfield with her husband Seth, Timpanist in the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and her children Adam a Senior Clarinetist, and Clara a Freshman Trombonist, who both attend Mansfield HS. They all enjoy lots of laughter and fun together dining out, playing games, watching movies, and enjoying their three dogs Bear, Bow, and Winnie
Mr. Nicholas Thomas
Associate Director of Bands
682-314-4444
Nick Thomas is entering his 3rd year as a teacher and his 1st at Linda Jobe Middle School. He is from Mansfield and graduated from Mansfield High School in 2015. During his time as a student in Mansfield ISD, he was an All-State trumpet player.
He holds a Bachelors of Music degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. While at UTA, Nick performed on trumpet as part of the UTA Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Choir. His primary teachers at UTA were Dr. Rick Bogard, Dr. Miranda George, Dr. Douglas Stotter, and Dr. Christopher Evans.
Following graduation, Nick worked as a Long-Term Substitute at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, and in 2021-2022 he taught at Donna Shepard Leadership Academy. He is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Service Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Currently, he lives in Arlington, and he is very excited to get to work with the amazing students and faculty at Linda Jobe Middle School!
Ms. Diana Tschoerner
Associate Director of Bands
682-314-4444
Diana Tschoerner is an educator and saxophonist based in the Dallas area and is beyond excited to begin her career in music education at Linda Jobe Middle School, where she will serve as assistant band director and woodwind specialist.
Ms. Tschoerner is a proud alumnus of Texas Tech University, where she graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. While at Texas Tech, she had the privilege to be on the leadership team for the Goin’ Band From Raiderland, in the role of saxophone section leader and visual team member for 2 years. In addition, she was a member of the symphonic band at Texas Tech for 4 years, under the direction of Dr. Eric Allen. During her time in the symphonic band, the ensemble went on tour and played at the prestigious CBDNA regional convention, in the spring of 2020. Her most notable solo performance at Texas Tech was at the 2021 online NASA convention, where she was selected to perform the Rueff Sonata for alto saxophone. Studying under professor David Dees, she played in competitive saxophone quartets throughout her 4 years at Tech, giving her invaluable chamber music experience.
Ms. Tschoerner is originally from Mesquite, Texas, where she graduated from Dr. Ralph H. Poteet High School. She was a two-year drum major for the Poteet Marching Band and performed in the Poteet Wind Ensemble under the direction of Cody Newman. Ms. Tschoerner is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the North American Saxophone Alliance and an intern at the Young Saxophone Institute. In her free time, she enjoys being active outside, spending time with her cat and making music with friends.
Chris Vasquez is entering his eighth year as the Director of Percussion for Legacy High School, Linda Jobe Middle School, and Donna Shepard Leadership Academy in Mansfield, TX. He coordinates all aspects of the percussion program, which include teaching grade levels 6th – 12th, Marching Percussion, Solo & Ensemble, TMEA All-Region, All-Area, All-State, Percussion Ensemble, and assisting with the High School Concert Bands.
Under his direction, Legacy students have earned top honors in concert and solo competitions. Legacy percussion students have made All-Region, All-Area and have earned spots in the prestigious TMEA All-State Band.
Mr. Vasquez holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University where he studied percussion under Dr. Scott Harris. In college he was involved in Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, SFA Steel Pans, Orchestra in the Pines, and had the opportunity to study and perform with many great artists. In 2009 Mr. Vasquez had the opportunity to march with TJC Indoor Drumline and march at WGI Finals in Dayton, Ohio.
After graduating from college, Mr. Vasquez went on to teach Imperial Percussion Theater Indoor Drumline and Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps. He has been a percussion consultant and lesson teacher for countless schools in Fort Bend ISD and Lamar CISD and spent two years as the Percussion Coordinator/Assistant Band Director at Stafford High School in Stafford, TX.
Professional affiliates include the Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Bandmasters Association. Chris currently lives in Midlothian, TX with his beautiful wife Holly, and their daughter, Sophie.
