Sample Shout-Out
Union Public Schools and Union Bands is excited to announce the addition of three new members of its full-time faculty: Garett Dwyer as Percussion Director, Kylee Hubbard as Color Guard Director, and Ashley McAlister as Assistant Band Director.
Garett Dwyer
Kylee Hubbard
Ashley McAlister
Mr. Garett Dwyer, Union Percussion Director
Garett Dwyer is the Percussion Specialist at Union Public Schools in Tulsa, OK. He holds a bachelor's degree in Percussion Performance from the Indiana University (IU) Jacobs School of Music. During his time at IU, he studied Latin American drumming, Jazz vibraphone, and R&B under the direction of Michael Spiro, Steve Houghton, Joseph Gramley, among many others.
Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Garett was a busy percussionist prior to his time in Indiana. His summers were full of percussion-related camps, masterclasses, and competitions. Most notably Garett was invited to perform as a cast member for the the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps for their 2018 and 2019 tours, and to study at The Juilliard School in 2017.
During his undergraduate Garett was heavily involved in gigging and teaching persuasion to many students around the Bloomington, IN area. Garett is the Percussion Coordinator for Zephyrus Drum & Bugle Corps (Bixby, OK) and helped lead Edgewood Highschool (Ellettsville, IN) to their first IPA PSA State Championship in the 2022 season as the Front Ensemble Coordinator. Recently, Garett has worked with artists such as Bootsy Collins, Kenneth " Babyface" Edmonds, and is frequently in the recording studio.
Kylee Hubbard joins the Union team in 2022 as Color Guard Programs Director.
Ms. Kylee Hubbard, Union Color Guard Director
She has previously worked in Indianapolis with the World-Class programs Fishers High School, Avon High School, and Center Grove High School.
Her drum corps teaching and leadership experience includes Carolina Crown from 2012-2016 (winning the George Zingali Outstanding Color Guard Award in 2016), and the Boston Crusaders from 2017-present (winning the George Zingali Oustanding Color Guard Award in 2018 and 2019).
Additional experience includes judging for Color Guard Alliance of the Philippines Inc., clinician work with SASi-The Leadership People, and educational webinars and seminars with ColorguardEDU, Marching Arts Education, and the Calgary Stampede.
Ms. Hubbard continues to expand her studies in performance, education, and leadership. With a curiosity in creativity and a passion for problem-solving, she feels that growth is boundless and will always be in pursuit of excellence. She is absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at Union Bands.
Ashley McAlister joined the Union Bands as Assistant Director in 2022. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Arkansas and her Master’s degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of North Alabama. She was a member of the Razorback Marching Band, and she served as a graduate assistant for the University of North Alabama Marching Pride. She was also a member of the Sigma Omicron chapter of the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.
Mrs. Ashley McAlister, Union Bands Assistant Director
Previously, Mrs. McAlister was the Director of Bands at Poteau Public Schools. During her time at Poteau, she directed the Pride of Poteau marching band. She was also the director of the high school symphonic band, high school jazz band, high school percussion ensemble, 6th grade beginning bands, 7th grade bands, and 8th grade bands. Her ensembles achieved superior ratings at both the district and state levels. Mrs. McAlister taught elementary music at Kilby Laboratory School in Florence, AL and at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Tulsa. She has been an adjunct band staff member for numerous high school bands throughout the states of Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma.
Mrs. McAlister marched with Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps in 2005, 2006, and won a DCI World Championship with Memphis Sound in 2007. She also served as trumpet section leader in 2007. She finished her drum corps marching career by aging out with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2009. After aging out, she was a visual technician and assistant visual caption head for Forte Drum and Bugle Corps. Mrs. McAlister continues to serve the drum corps community as a member of Box 7 Ministries.
Ashley lives in Tulsa with her husband Will and their beautiful daughter Adeline. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing with her two dogs Bailey and Moose.
Union Bands is pleased to welcome Ashley McAlister to the full-time team of band director faculty, effective the summer of 2022. Mrs. McAlister brings a wealth of classroom experience at various levels, as well as, qualified experience in the marching arts. Mrs. McAlister has previously served in part-time roles with the Union Bands, and we are proud to announce her in a new elevated role. Ashley resides in the Tulsa area with her husband Will, who is an Union 8th grade center faculty member & a part time Union Bands teacher, and their young daughter. Congratulations Mrs. McAlister!
