Band Directors and Contact information:
Chad Wood, Director of Bands
 Mr. Wood is in his 10th year at Staley. Mr. Wood teaches all beginning brass classes, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and assists with Honor Band and beginning percussion.
Under Mr. Wood's leadership, the Staley Band has continued a tradition of excellence and continued to grow both in number and awards. He is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas where he held principal trombone with with University Band, Tri-Collegiate Orchestra, and 'World Famous' Cowboy Band. During college, Mr. Wood performed in London, Spain, Washington DC (in a Presidential Inaugural parade), and countless other events. He is still an active performer and currently plays with church ensembles, Jazz I.N.C., New Life Symphony Orchestra, and other various groups in the DFW metroplex.
Mr. Wood grew up in Kansas (go Jayhawks!) and moved to Rockport-Fulton, Texas in high school. Mr. Wood is married to the GORGEOUS Mrs. Wood and they live in Frisco with their daughter Emily, their Boston Terrier Macie, and their mut Charlie. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are expecting their second little girl this December. Mr. Wood is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, the International Trombone Association, and the Hardin-Simmons University Board of Young Associates.
Contact information: woodc@friscoisd.org
Shaun M. Gray, Assistant Band Director
Mr. Gray is in his 5th year Staley. He teaches beginning woodwinds (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone), and conducts the Concert Band and Honor Band. He eagerly looks forward to start the Beginning Jazz Orchestra.
Mr. Gray is originally from Houston and attended the renown High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), where he was in band and choir. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas, studying clarinet with Dr. Garry Evans and Darryl Coad, and the art of conducting with Doctors Angela Schroeder and Andrew Trachsel respectively. Mr. Gray was a member of the Concert Band, Basketball Band, and “Green Brigade” Marching Band (serving as drum major in 2005). He also proudly served as Music Director of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia – Gamma Theta Chapter and has the distinct honor of being the founding president of the North Texas Student Music Educators (NTSME).
Prior to arriving at Staley, Mr. Gray has had numerous years of previous teaching experience – ranging from private lesson instructor to clinician. Since 2008, Mr. Gray has served as guest clinician for the Rosebud-Lott High School Band Leadership Camp and has enjoyed the time spent working with the program. In recent years, Mr. Gray has led the Staley Honor Band to consecutive awards at Festival on the Lake (including 2011 CC Non-Varsity Best in Class) and earned a plaque for Superior and Excellent ratings at UIL in 2011. The previous year, he led the Stampede Jazz Ensemble to 1st place in the Middle School Division of the Highlander Jazz Festival – the ensemble’s first ever award.
Mr. Gray has been influenced by many music educators throughout the years, namely mentors Craig Green & Carlos Neira, along with UNT professors Dr. Donna Emmanuel, Dr. Nicholas E. Williams, and Dennis Fisher. After a lengthy residence in Denton, Mr. Gray has now relocated to Carrollton. He continues to play bass clarinet in the Frisco Community Band and its clarinet ensemble. Along with Phi Mu Alpha, Mr. Gray holds memberships in the Texas Bandmasters Association and Texas Music Educators Association.
Contact information: grays@friscoisd.org 469.633.4520
Andy Pruyn, Director of Percussion
 Mr. Pruyn (pronounced prine) is in his second year at Staley and teaches percussion sectionals and the beginner percussion class. In addition to his duties at SMS, Mr. Pruyn also assists Mr. Heath Dillard at Frisco
High School and teaches for the other middle schools in the FHS cluster.
For two years, Mr. Pruyn was a percussion section leader in the prestigeous Dublin High School Band from Dublin, Ohio. He also performed in the 1994 Ohio All-State Band; and marched in the University of Cincinnati Drumline from 1994-1996. He was the center snare of the 1996 Cincinnati Glory Drum and Bugle Corps; and the bass drum section leader of the 1997 Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
While attending Northern
Kentucky
University, Mr. Pruyn studied percussion with Dick Jensen of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Pruyn performed with the NKU Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble, Marimba Ensemble, and Theatre Department Orchestra. In 2001, Pruyn was one of four music majors chosen for the distinguished, full tuition, Corbett Scholarship in Music. In 2002, He performed in the Kentucky All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Annual Conference. Mr. Pruyn graduated from NKU with a Bachelor’s in Music Education.
Since 2007, Mr. Pruyn has played with the Dallas Praise Orchestra and the Dallas Praise Jazz Orchestra. In 2008, He joined the Dallas-based classic R&B band Ken Savage & the Best Kept Secret. Mr. Pruyn is a proud endorser of Vic Firth sticks and mallets and his professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society and the Texas Music Educators Association.
Mr. Pruyn resides in Carrollton with his beautiful wife Shobha. You can check out Mr. Pruyn's website by clicking here.
Contact information: Andy.Pruyn@gmail.com 972.681.9186
Private Lessons:
Staley has an OUTSTANDING private lesson staff! Find out more information on the forms page and be sure to contact the lesson teachers directly to reserve a spot.
How do I start lessons?
1) Contact the lesson teacher directly
2) Discuss schedules and set up a time
3) Notify your band director when your new lesson time will be!
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