Mr. Canfield has been proud to teach at Stewart Middle School (Tyler ISD), Center, Sonora, Rusk, Groesbeck and is currently the Director of Bands at Saginaw High School in Saginaw Texas.

Mr. Canfield’s memberships include ATSSB, TMEA, TBA, Who’s Who Among America’s High School Teachers, and Phi Beta Mu (National Band Directors Honor Fraternity). Mr. Canfield was named Teacher of the Year for Rusk ISD in 1994 and Teacher of the Year for Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD in 2006. Mr. Canfield served on the Executive Board of Directors for the Association of Small School Bands for 14 years. He was also the very first middle school representative to the State Board of Directors of ATSSB. Mr. Canfield served as Music Region Coordinator for Regions 21 and 8 totaling over twelve years of service to these regions. Mr. Canfield was also the very first recipient of the Groesbeck Journal Merit of Achievement Award for Outstanding Accomplishments, Achievements, and Contributions to Groesbeck ISD and the surrounding community.

Mr. Canfield is married to his high school sweetheart Mary, and has three children, Justin 20, Jacob 17, and Jacy 14. Mr. Canfield is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University.

Matthew Pearson is in his 11th year of teaching and is a founding director of the Saginaw High School “Spirit of Saginaw” Band Staff. He is the conductor of the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Bands at Saginaw High School. During marching season, he is the Visual Caption Head and Fundamental Marching Director.

Mr. Pearson began his teaching career at Lynn Lucas Middle School in Willis, TX. He has also taught in the Groesbeck Independent School District. Mr. Pearson has been with EMS ISD at Saginaw High School since 2005.

Mr. Pearson is a native of Longview, Texas and attended Pine Tree High School. Upon graduation, he attended Texas A&M University-Commerce where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Trombone Performance. While at TAMU-Commerce, he studied trombone with Jimmy Clark and conducting with Bobby Francis and Dr. Jeff Emge.

In his spare time, Mr. Pearson is an avid Road Cyclist and competes in races throughout the state. He also enjoys scuba diving and spending time on the beach in Cozumel, Mexico. He has two Golden Retrievers named Baxter and Sydney who are spoiled rotten. Mr. Pearson been married to his wife, Kim, for 9 years. Kim works for the Pier One corporate office in Fort Worth.

Mr. Pearson is a member of: Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmaster’s Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, International Trombone Association, and Kappa Alpha Order.

Derrick is originally from Northwest Arkansas, and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, receiving both the Bachelor of Music ('98) in Music Education and the Master of Music ('06) in Music Performance. While in college at Arkansas, Derrick performed with the Razorback Marching Band, the Wind Symphony, the Jazz Band, the Percussion Ensemble, the Steel Band, and the University Symphony Orchestra, as well as the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. During this time, he also marched with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps ('95) and The Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps ('97). In addition, Derrick was selected to perform in the University of Arkansas Honors Recital five times.

Derrick has been teaching percussion since he graduated from Huntsville (Arkansas) High School in 1994. He has taught numerous percussion sections on the junior high, high school, and college level, including work with the award-winning Pride of Owasso Marching Band of Owasso, Oklahoma (BOA Grand National Finalist - 2005), the Big Purple Marching Band at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, and two years as Percussion Coordinator for the Razorback Marching Band at the University of Arkansas. He has also had students make the All-Region and All-State Bands in both Arkansas and Texas.

Derrick has been married to his wife Robin for 2 years, and when he's not teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and friends from The Hills Church of Christ, reading, watching soccer, as well as playing with his dog Maggie.