Pearce Area Band Club - Supporting the MIGHTY MUSTANG BAND

Greg Hames - Head Band Director

Greg Hames has been the head band director of the Mighty Mustang Band since July, 2002. Before coming to J. J. Pearce High School, he was head band director of Jasper High School in Plano ISD from 1997 to 2002. Prior to his experience at Jasper, Mr. Hames was in the Richardson ISD music program for 15 years at Berkner High School and Lake Highlands High School. He also has experience marching with the Madison Scouts Drum Corps and has performed as a percussionist with the Dallas Wind Symphony, Irving Symphony, Richardson Symphony, and the Fort Worth Symphony.Mr. Hames is a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington and holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Eduction. Mr. Hames has two beautiful daughters, Lindsay and Katie; both are in elementary school. He enjoys shooting, fly fishing, and riding his motorcycle.

Joshua Blankenship is in his thirteenth year of teaching in the RISD. For over 10 years, Mr. Blankenship taught brass pedagogy in the Lake Highlands area and recently served as Interim Director of Bands for Lake Highlands High School. In addition to teaching private lessons, sectionals, masterclasses, and concert bands, Mr. Blankenship also founded the award-winning LH Brass Choir in 1996, the LH Woodwind Choir in 2005, and the PHS Woodwind and Brass Choirs in 2006. All of these groups have received continuous Honor Awards since their inception. Mr. Blankenship is now the Associate Director of Bands at J.J. Pearce High School.

A native of Richardson, Mr. Blankenship graduated from Richardson North Junior High and in the top 5% of his class at J.J. Pearce High School. He was a student of Don Stewart for seven years before attending Indiana University and graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Trombone Performance. While at IU, he studied extensively with Keith Brown and Edwin Anderson. In addition to being Principal Trombone of the Allen Philharmonic, Mr. Blankenship has performed with the Dallas Opera Orchestra, the symphonies of Richardson, San Angelo, and Shreveport, the Plano Chamber Orchestra, and the Dallas Wind Symphony. Mr. Blankenship’s professional affiliations include TMEA and the American Federation of Musicians.

Stephen Lisko joins the staff of the J.J. Pearce Mighty Mustang Band as an assistant director for Fall 2007. Steve is a recent graduate of the University of Houston , where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Music Education. During his time at the University of Houston, Steve participated in the Wind Ensemble, which is conducted by former Pearce Band Director Tom Bennett. Steve also participated in the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band every single year of his college career. Steve studied saxophone with Dr. Karen Wylie and participated in two competitive saxophone quartets that had the opportunity to perform at the New England Conservatory and at Notre Dame University. Steve's professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Fraternity for College Bandmembers. Steve looks forward to starting his teaching career with such a great band program!

Renee Butts joined the staff of the J.J. Pearce Mighty Mustang Band as assistant director in May 2004. Renee is a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington and holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. Her honors include graduating Magna Cum Laude and consistently making the deans list. Before college Renee was an all-state flute player for the Grapevine High School band. While at The University of Texas at Arlington, she was a member of the Wind Ensemble and was the principle flute player in the concert band. Renee also served as a colorguard drill instructor in 2001 and guard captain in 2002. During her last year in college, Renee joined the UTA's marching band staff for the 2003 season. Renee has performed with top colorguards including the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and Ars Nova Independent Winterguard. For the 2004 season, she was a staff member of Insignia Winterguard, a 2004 Winter Guard International Open Class Finalist. She has also taught at L.D. Bell High School, a Grand National finalist as well as a UIL state champion. At J.J. Pearce, Renee serves as a band director to the JJ Pearce High School cluster and also directs the colorguard. Her professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association and Kappa Kappa Psi National Bandsmen Fraternity.

Andy Pruyn joined the staff of the J.J. Pearce Mighty Mustang Band as Percussion Director in 2007. His drumline arrangement helped the Pearce Drumline drive the Mighty Mustang Band to the 2007 Texas 4A State Marching Band Contest. In February of 2008, all seven of his percussion ensembles from Pearce High School, Parkhill Junior High, and North Junior High received first division ratings at contest. Four of the ensembles received honors.
Mr. Pruyn was a percussionist in the 1994 Ohio All-State Band, a snare drummer in the University of Cincinnati Drumline from 1994-1996, and center snare of the 1996 Cincinnati Glory Drum and Bugle Corps. In 1997, he marched top bass in the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps where he was the bass drum section leader. In 1999, he marched third bass in the Trinity Independent World Indoor Drumline.
Mr. Pruyn began his teaching career in 1998 as a percussion instructor for the Cincinnati Glory Drum and Bugle Corps. From 1998 to 2000, he taught and arranged for the Ryle High School Drumline in Northern Kentucky. The 1999 Ryle Drumline was undefeated in Kentucky Class A. At Northern Kentucky University, he studied percussion with Dick Jensen of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In 2001, Mr. Pruyn received the distinguished Corbett Scholarship in Music. In 2002, he performed with the Kentucky All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Convention. Later that year he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Pruyn was the Percussion Director at Mesquite High School. His middle school and high school percussion ensembles won numerous first division ratings and the Mesquite Drumline won the 5A Best Percussion Award at the 2004 Plano East Marching Band Contest.
Mr. Pruyn is an educational endorser of Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets and his professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Bandmasters Association.

Diunte White joined the staff of the J.J. Pearce Mighty Mustang Band as assistant director in August 2006. Diunte is a graduate of Oregon University and holds a Bachelors Degree in Biology and a minor in Theatre Arts production . Diunte has performed with top colorguards including the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, Northern Lights Winterguard, Black Gold Winterguard and Nolan Winterguard. He has also taught at L.D. Bell High School, a Grand National finalist as well as a UIL state champion.

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This page was updated last on 8/5/07.