Nicholas Stephenson

Nick Stephenson is currently the Director of Bands at Community High School. This will be his 21st year as a band director. His bands have appeared at the 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 UIL State Marching Contests (2 of these bands appearing in State Finals) and have received numerous Sweepstakes Honors along with ranking at the state level in the TMEA Honor Band and ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series. Originally from Memphis, TN, Mr. Stephenson was a two time Tennessee All State Musician (Trumpet), member of the Memphis Youth Symphony and the Memphis Chapter of the Grammy in the Schools Jazz Orchestra. Mr. Stephenson earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Eastern New Mexico University and his Masters in Music Education Degree from Texas Tech University.

He is a frequent clinician and adjudicator as a member of the Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association. He is married to another amazing music educator, Mikayla Stephenson, and they have 4 wonderful children: Mackenzie (2 time ATSSB All State Musician and Clarinet Performance Major at West Texas A&M University), Joey (1 time ATSSB All State Musician and a student at Tyler Junior College where he will perform Tuba with the Apache band and major in computer science), Zachary (French Horn) and Caleb (6th grader). He is a member of TMEA, TBA, ATSSB and TMAA.

Email: nicholas.stephenson@communityisd.org

Jordan Fitzwater

This school year will be Jordan Fitzwater's 9th year to work with students at Community. Over the last 8 years he has worked specifically with the Community High School Band as the percussion director. Mr. Fitzwater helped start the Indoor Percussion Ensemble in 2016 and loves seeing the growth of the students as they pass through our band program.

Mr. Fitzwater is a Community High School alumni. He is a graduate from Liberty University with a Bachelors in Music and Worship, specializing in the field of technology. Studying under Dr. Kevin Super in percussion, and Dr. Tad Hardin in piano, Dr. Paul Randlett, and Dr. John Kinchen, he continued his education by playing with the Liberty University Indoor Drumline in 2015 and 2016 at Winter Guard International in Dayton, OH. Mr. Fitzwater also marched with the Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band at LU during his time in Lynchburg, Virginia as well. He currently teaches all CISD Percussionist and is the Speech and Debate coach here at CHS.

Email: jordan.fitzwater@communityisd.org

Alexandria Pruden-Dawson

Alexandria Pruden-Dawson is the Color Guard Coordinator at Community ISD. This Ms. Pruden's 4th year at CHS where she also teaches Senior English and AP English Language.

Originally from Allen, TX, Ms. Dawson is an alumni of the Allen Eagle Escadrille, one of the largest marching bands in the world. She also participated in the Allen ISD Orchestral Program. After high school, Ms. Dawson went on to Texas Lutheran University, earning her BA in sociology. During her time there, Mrs. Dawson was in the TLU Orchestra as principal viola player.

Ms. Dawson has worked with Mrs. Marosek and the CHS Guard since Spring of 2020 and is excited to take this program far!

Email: djalexandria.pruden@communityisd.org

Dr. David Wright

Dr. David Wright is the head MS director at Edge Middle School. 

Originally from New York State, Dr. David Wright has enjoyed teaching and performing for over 30 years. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and a "Recognized" music educator by the Texas Educators Association. Prior to accepting the position in Community ISD, Dr. Wright taught for 7 years in Terrell ISD and Dallas ISD.  

Dr. Wright has commissioned and premiered many new works for solo saxophone, quartet, large ensemble, and mixed ensembles. He is a co-founder of the Traverser Saxophone Symposium and the Appalachian Saxophone Orchestra. Dr. Wright was formerly on the teaching faculties of West Virginia University, West Virginia Wesleyan College and Southeastern Louisiana University.  

Dr. Wright enjoys performing with the Dallas Winds and Irving Symphony and Plano Symphony Orchestras.  He lives in Rockwall with his wife, Jenee, and two children, Benjamin and Catherine.

Email: david.wright@communityisd.org

Kyle Shomette

Kyle Shomette is currently the Assistant Director at all secondary campuses and is in his 3rd year at Community ISD.

Originally from Wylie, Texas, Mr. Shomette attended Texas A&M University Commerce where he studied Horn under Michael Morrow. During his time at TAMUC he participated in multiple ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, The Pride Marching Band, and various chamber ensembles. In his free time he loves spending time with friends and family, playing his horn, and spending time outside. 

His duties at Community ISD include teaching the Concert Band at Edge middle school, beginners at Trails, and Edge as well as assisting at the high school.

Email: kyle.shomette@communityisd.org

Nicholas Pfister

Nicholas Pfister is the new head band director at Trails Middle School and this will be his second year teaching in Community ISD! 

Originally from Bridge City, Texas, Mr. Pfister attended the University of North Texas College of Music where he studied clarinet with Dr. Kimberly Cole Luevano and Professor Daryl Coad. In addition to clarinet, Mr. Pfister studied bassoon, oboe, and flute privately with staff in the College of Music. During his time at UNT, Mr. Pfister participated in a variety of ensembles ranging from the UNT Green Brigade, which marched in the 2022 Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade, to the UNT Wind Orchestra which produced many albums and professional recordings. In his free time, Mr. Pfister is an active woodwind doubler in the DFW metroplex playing in musical theater pits, community ensembles, and more. Mr. Pfister enjoys spending time with his nieces and nephews, walking his dog, Maggie, and finding the best ice cream around DFW. 

His duties at Community ISD include team teaching at both middle school and at the high school. He also assists the marching band, and teaching beginners at both secondary campuses! He is excited to continue his teaching career in Community ISD!

Email: nicholas.pfister@communityisd.org