Joe Walker - Director of Fine Arts and Bands
Joe Walker is currently the Director of Fine Arts and Bands for the Godley Independent School District. Mr. Walker joined the Godley team in 2015. He spent his first year in the district as the Director of Percussion before being appointed as Director of Fine Arts and Bands. Under his tutelage the Pride of Godley Marching Band has earned superior ratings at the UIL Region Marching Contest, and earned their first sweepstakes in 2018 after almost a decade. He directly oversees the Wind Ensemble, The Pride of Godley Wildcat Marching Band and Godley Indoor Winds.
Mr. Walker is a 2014 graduate of Missouri State University, earning a B.M.E in Music Education, where he was privileged to study under Dr. Scott Cameron, Dr. Belva Prather and Mr. Jerry Hoover. During his tenure at MSU, Mr. Walker marched with the world-renowned PRIDE Drumline, performing at BOA St. Louis and The McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, IL. Mr. Walker was also actively involved in the nationally recognized University Wind Ensemble for five years, playing at the Missouri Music Educators Association State Convention twice. Before graduating, Mr. Walker joined the staff of MSU as a Percussion Instructor of the PRIDE Drumline, leading the drumline in performances as exhibition at the Palen Music Contest and BOA Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, IN.
Mr. Walker is a member of TMEA, TMAA, TBA, ATSSB and PAS. He currently resides in Fort Worth, TX with his wife, Becky, who is currently returning to school full time to become a doctor.
Joe Walker is currently the Director of Fine Arts and Bands for the Godley Independent School District. Mr. Walker joined the Godley team in 2015. He spent his first year in the district as the Director of Percussion before being appointed as Director of Fine Arts and Bands. Under his tutelage the Pride of Godley Marching Band has earned superior ratings at the UIL Region Marching Contest, and earned their first sweepstakes in 2018 after almost a decade. He directly oversees the Wind Ensemble, The Pride of Godley Wildcat Marching Band and Godley Indoor Winds.
Mr. Walker is a 2014 graduate of Missouri State University, earning a B.M.E in Music Education, where he was privileged to study under Dr. Scott Cameron, Dr. Belva Prather and Mr. Jerry Hoover. During his tenure at MSU, Mr. Walker marched with the world-renowned PRIDE Drumline, performing at BOA St. Louis and The McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, IL. Mr. Walker was also actively involved in the nationally recognized University Wind Ensemble for five years, playing at the Missouri Music Educators Association State Convention twice. Before graduating, Mr. Walker joined the staff of MSU as a Percussion Instructor of the PRIDE Drumline, leading the drumline in performances as exhibition at the Palen Music Contest and BOA Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, IN.
Mr. Walker is a member of TMEA, TMAA, TBA, ATSSB and PAS. He currently resides in Fort Worth, TX with his wife, Becky, who is currently returning to school full time to become a doctor.
Grayson Hancock - Assistant Director of Bands
Grayson Hancock is an Assistant Director of Bands at Godley Independent School District. This is Mr. Hancock's second year with the Pride of Godley. He takes part in the instruction of the High School Marching Band, assists with High School concert bands, directors the Godley Middle School Concert Band, and instructs all level brass including all beginner brass classes. Prior to coming to Godley, Mr. Hancock was a Marching and Music Technician, Indoor Winds Instructor and private lesson instructor specializing in brass and visual movement for the Whitesboro Bands during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. During his time at Whitesboro, the Pride of Whitesboro achieved a Silver Medal finish at the 2019 UIL Texas State Marching band contest. Several students under his instruction achieved Superior ratings in Solo and Ensemble, made All-State Band and marched DCI World Class drum corps. And prior to his time at Whitesboro, Mr. Hancock was the Abilene Christian University Basketball Band Director for the 2017-2018 NCAA Division I basketball season.
Mr. Hancock is a proud 2017 graduate of Abilene Christian University having a Bachelors in Music Education. He studied trumpet with the Dr. David Amlung and the late Dr. Mark Wilcox and was under the band direction of Dr. Steven Ward and Dr. Brandon Houghtalen. Mr. Hancock was the President of the ACU Big Purple Band and Trumpet Section leader 2 consecutive years, Co-Principal for the ACU Orchestra and served in various other leadership positions. He was a member of the ACU Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, Trumpet Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and performed with various musicals and operas. Mr. Hancock performed with the ACU Wind Ensemble at CBDNA and with both the Wind Ensemble and Trumpet Ensemble at TMEA. Mr. Hancock was a member of the Abilene Civic Orchestra, performed with The Temptations in 2016 and was also a 2015 and 2016 Lead Trumpet for Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Mr. Hancock is a member of TMEA, TBA, ATSSB, International Trumpet Guild and Crossmen Alumni Association.
Grayson Hancock is an Assistant Director of Bands at Godley Independent School District. This is Mr. Hancock's second year with the Pride of Godley. He takes part in the instruction of the High School Marching Band, assists with High School concert bands, directors the Godley Middle School Concert Band, and instructs all level brass including all beginner brass classes. Prior to coming to Godley, Mr. Hancock was a Marching and Music Technician, Indoor Winds Instructor and private lesson instructor specializing in brass and visual movement for the Whitesboro Bands during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. During his time at Whitesboro, the Pride of Whitesboro achieved a Silver Medal finish at the 2019 UIL Texas State Marching band contest. Several students under his instruction achieved Superior ratings in Solo and Ensemble, made All-State Band and marched DCI World Class drum corps. And prior to his time at Whitesboro, Mr. Hancock was the Abilene Christian University Basketball Band Director for the 2017-2018 NCAA Division I basketball season.
Mr. Hancock is a proud 2017 graduate of Abilene Christian University having a Bachelors in Music Education. He studied trumpet with the Dr. David Amlung and the late Dr. Mark Wilcox and was under the band direction of Dr. Steven Ward and Dr. Brandon Houghtalen. Mr. Hancock was the President of the ACU Big Purple Band and Trumpet Section leader 2 consecutive years, Co-Principal for the ACU Orchestra and served in various other leadership positions. He was a member of the ACU Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, Trumpet Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and performed with various musicals and operas. Mr. Hancock performed with the ACU Wind Ensemble at CBDNA and with both the Wind Ensemble and Trumpet Ensemble at TMEA. Mr. Hancock was a member of the Abilene Civic Orchestra, performed with The Temptations in 2016 and was also a 2015 and 2016 Lead Trumpet for Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Mr. Hancock is a member of TMEA, TBA, ATSSB, International Trumpet Guild and Crossmen Alumni Association.
Michelle Slayton - Associate Director of Bands, Director of Middle School Bands
Michelle Slayton is an Associate Director of Bands and Director of Middle School Bands for Godley Independent School District. This will be her second year in Godley and has eighteen years experience as a band director in Arkansas. She will teach The GMS Honor Band, The Godley High School Symphonic Band, beginning woodwinds, and assist The Godley High School marching band.
Prior to coming to Godley, Ms. Slayton served as the Director of Bands for Gentry Public Schools and as Head Middle School Band Director for Siloam Springs Public Schools in Arkansas. Her bands have earned Superior ratings at Region Assessment, Solo and Ensemble, as well as placed in All-Region and All-State bands.
Ms. Slayton earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arkansas where she performed in Carnegie Hall with the University of Arkansas Wind Symphony. She also marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland with the Razorback Marching Band. While at the University of Arkansas, Ms. Slayton studied under W. Dale Warren, Tim Gunter, Robert Umiker and Stan Morris. She was a member of Tau Beta Sigma and Sigma Alpha Iota sororities.
Ms. Slayton earned her Masters of Music degree from Missouri State University where she performed with the Missouri State University Wind Ensemble at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. She studied with Belva Prather, Jerry Hoover, and Mike Lomax.
Ms. Slayton is a member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Arkansas Bandmasters Association, Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, Arkansas Winds Community Band, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the Association of Texas Small School Bands
Michelle Slayton is an Associate Director of Bands and Director of Middle School Bands for Godley Independent School District. This will be her second year in Godley and has eighteen years experience as a band director in Arkansas. She will teach The GMS Honor Band, The Godley High School Symphonic Band, beginning woodwinds, and assist The Godley High School marching band.
Prior to coming to Godley, Ms. Slayton served as the Director of Bands for Gentry Public Schools and as Head Middle School Band Director for Siloam Springs Public Schools in Arkansas. Her bands have earned Superior ratings at Region Assessment, Solo and Ensemble, as well as placed in All-Region and All-State bands.
Ms. Slayton earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arkansas where she performed in Carnegie Hall with the University of Arkansas Wind Symphony. She also marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland with the Razorback Marching Band. While at the University of Arkansas, Ms. Slayton studied under W. Dale Warren, Tim Gunter, Robert Umiker and Stan Morris. She was a member of Tau Beta Sigma and Sigma Alpha Iota sororities.
Ms. Slayton earned her Masters of Music degree from Missouri State University where she performed with the Missouri State University Wind Ensemble at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. She studied with Belva Prather, Jerry Hoover, and Mike Lomax.
Ms. Slayton is a member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Arkansas Bandmasters Association, Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, Arkansas Winds Community Band, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the Association of Texas Small School Bands
David Kennedy - Percussion Director, Director of Jazz Band
David Kennedy joined the Godley ISD band program in 2018. Mr. Kennedy directs all levels of percussion in Godley ISD. His students participate in marching percussion, indoor percussion, all- region, solo and ensemble contests and percussion ensemble festivals. The Godley High School Percussion Ensemble placed 1st at the 2019 Eaton Percussion Festival in their classification. The Godley Indoor Percussion Ensemble competes in the North Texas Colorguard Association where they are consistently ranked at the top of their class. The Pride of Godley Marching Band advanced to the UIL 4A Area D Finals Marching Contest for the first time in 2021.
Mr. Kennedy started the Godley Jazz Band in 2020 where it has grown into an elite big band. The ensemble regularly performs in the community as well as multiple festivals a year. Kennedy has placed students in the ATSSB Region 30/5 Jazz All - Region Band with multiple earning 1st chair and advancing to Area.
Prior to Godley ISD, Mr. Kennedy was the Assistant Band Director at Brock ISD for 3 years. While teaching in Brock ISD, Kennedy directed the middle school varsity ensemble, all levels of percussion as well as various beginning band classes. During his time at Brock ISD, the band program advanced to the 3A Area Finals Marching Contest and had many students advance to the State Solo and Ensemble competition. The middle school varsity band earned their first sweepstakes award under his direction.
Mr. Kennedy earned his M.M. in Performance in 2015 from Texas Tech University while studying with Dr. Lisa Rogers and Mr. Alan Shinn. He earned his BA in Music in 2011 from Coastal Carolina University where he studied with Dr. Jesse Willis. While in school, Kennedy performed with the top percussion ensembles, orchestras and wind ensembles. He was also a member of world music ensembles such as the PAS Award winning Calypsamba. Mr. Kennedy marched as a member of the 2010 Boston Crusader’s Front Ensemble. He subsequently taught with the Racine Scouts in 2012 and Coastal Surge in 2013 and 2014.
David Kennedy is a member of TMEA, ATSSB and PAS
David Kennedy joined the Godley ISD band program in 2018. Mr. Kennedy directs all levels of percussion in Godley ISD. His students participate in marching percussion, indoor percussion, all- region, solo and ensemble contests and percussion ensemble festivals. The Godley High School Percussion Ensemble placed 1st at the 2019 Eaton Percussion Festival in their classification. The Godley Indoor Percussion Ensemble competes in the North Texas Colorguard Association where they are consistently ranked at the top of their class. The Pride of Godley Marching Band advanced to the UIL 4A Area D Finals Marching Contest for the first time in 2021.
Mr. Kennedy started the Godley Jazz Band in 2020 where it has grown into an elite big band. The ensemble regularly performs in the community as well as multiple festivals a year. Kennedy has placed students in the ATSSB Region 30/5 Jazz All - Region Band with multiple earning 1st chair and advancing to Area.
Prior to Godley ISD, Mr. Kennedy was the Assistant Band Director at Brock ISD for 3 years. While teaching in Brock ISD, Kennedy directed the middle school varsity ensemble, all levels of percussion as well as various beginning band classes. During his time at Brock ISD, the band program advanced to the 3A Area Finals Marching Contest and had many students advance to the State Solo and Ensemble competition. The middle school varsity band earned their first sweepstakes award under his direction.
Mr. Kennedy earned his M.M. in Performance in 2015 from Texas Tech University while studying with Dr. Lisa Rogers and Mr. Alan Shinn. He earned his BA in Music in 2011 from Coastal Carolina University where he studied with Dr. Jesse Willis. While in school, Kennedy performed with the top percussion ensembles, orchestras and wind ensembles. He was also a member of world music ensembles such as the PAS Award winning Calypsamba. Mr. Kennedy marched as a member of the 2010 Boston Crusader’s Front Ensemble. He subsequently taught with the Racine Scouts in 2012 and Coastal Surge in 2013 and 2014.
David Kennedy is a member of TMEA, ATSSB and PAS
Hayley Grubbs - Colorguard Director, Visual Coordinator.
Hayley Grubbs is from Aledo, Texas where she began her colorguard career in 2010 with her middle school group, and she graduated from Aledo HS in 2015 as captain. After high school, Ms. Grubbs went on to march five seasons of World Class DCI with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps and aging out as captain of the Crossmen Colorguard in 2019. She has also performed at the Open Class level of WGI with CGT Dallas (2016) and Insignia Performing Arts Concepts (2018).
•Ms. Grubbs has worked with Chisholm Trail HS (2015), James Martin HS (2015/2016), Arlington Lamar HS (2016/2017), Brock HS (2016-2020), Brewer HS (2017-2019), Cleburne HS (2018-2021), Aledo HS (2018-present), as well as choreographing and designing for Sam Houston HS (2019/2020), and Kennedale HS (2020).
•Ms.Grubbs has enjoyed restarting the Godley HS Colorguard program, and she can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Godley Bands program!
Hayley Grubbs is from Aledo, Texas where she began her colorguard career in 2010 with her middle school group, and she graduated from Aledo HS in 2015 as captain. After high school, Ms. Grubbs went on to march five seasons of World Class DCI with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps and aging out as captain of the Crossmen Colorguard in 2019. She has also performed at the Open Class level of WGI with CGT Dallas (2016) and Insignia Performing Arts Concepts (2018).
•Ms. Grubbs has worked with Chisholm Trail HS (2015), James Martin HS (2015/2016), Arlington Lamar HS (2016/2017), Brock HS (2016-2020), Brewer HS (2017-2019), Cleburne HS (2018-2021), Aledo HS (2018-present), as well as choreographing and designing for Sam Houston HS (2019/2020), and Kennedale HS (2020).
•Ms.Grubbs has enjoyed restarting the Godley HS Colorguard program, and she can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Godley Bands program!