The Directors

Mr. Ary previously was Associate Director at Holliday High School in Holliday, Texas. There, he helped lead the band to a Bands of America (BOA) regional class championship and a performance at the 2002 Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Mr. Ary was most recently Assistant Band Director at Elkins High School in Missouri City. In his tenure at Brook, Mr. Ary has helped lead the band to 7 BOA Regional Finals, BOA Grand Nationals Semifinals, WGI Guard Semifinals, WGI Percussion Finals, UIL State Marching Contest Semifinals, and several UIL Sweepstakes. At Brook, Mr. Ary conducts the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, sponsors the Winter Guard, and coordinates and designs drill for the Marching Band.

In 1995 and 1996, Mr. Ary marched contrabass bugle with the Nite Express Drum and Bugle Corps from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and then joined the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from Dubuque, Iowa, in 1998 and 1999. From 2001 to 2004, he served as a member of the brass staff for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Bergenfield, New Jersey.

Mr. Ary’s music performance and music education mentors include Dr. Joseph Missal, James Morrison, Joe Exley, Tom Bennett, Philip Geiger, and Jack Farris. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.

Mike may be reached via email at mary@ccisd.net.

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Mr. Norris holds a master’s degree in music performance from the University of Akron in Ohio, as well as a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Eastern Illinois University.  While pursuing his music degrees, Mr. Norris was a member of the snare line for the 1996 “World Champion” Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, and also directed the University of Akron Marching Zips drumline.

Mr. Norris’ teaching credits include five Texas Color Guard Circuit State Championships, one NTCA Championship, two WGI Regional championships, and a WGI National Championship. He is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and is an educational endorser of Promark Drumsticks and Mallets.

Dusty may be reached via email at dnorris1@ccisd.net.

Born and raised in Spring, Texas, assistant band director Jason Andrew Smith holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. Through his studies he has worked with several phenomenal music educators including Tom Bennett, David Bertman, John Benzer, Noe Marmolejo, Dr. Karen Wylie and Valerie Vidal. As a saxophone player, Mr. Smith specializes in woodwind and jazz pedagogy.

During his time at the University of Houston, Mr. Smith was an active performer at the Moores School of Music. He participated in the wind ensembles, marching band, contemporary music ensemble, and Jazz Orchestra. Mr. Smith also had the unique opportunity to perform with professional recording artists Diane Schurr, Wayne Bergeron, Conrad Herwig, as well as an appearance in the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. As an educator, Mr. Smith has worked as a lesson teacher and master class instructor in the Spring, Conroe, Houston, and Clear Creek Independent School Districts.

Mr. Smith is an active member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, an organization dedicated to the advancement of music in America, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Bandmasters Association.

Jason may be reached via email at jsmith4@ccisd.net.

Percussion Instructor and Program Consultant Don Click is co-founder of the Music City Mystique youth organization and served as the Executive Director until 2006. He currently serves on the Board of Directors as well as the design team.

Don attended the University of North Texas where he earned a degree in Finance. While at UNT, Don spent three years as a member of the UNT indoor drumline. During this time, the drumline won two championships at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Don also has deep roots in the Drum and Bugle Corps (DCI) activity. Don was a member of the 1985 Bridgemen, the 1988 Suncoast Sound, and the 1989 Concord Blue Devils. He has taught and continues to arrange and consult at various high schools throughout the nation and is a sought after judge both for Fall marching band competitions as well as Winter Percussion shows.

Don has served as President of the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit where he was formerly the Percussion Coordinator. With Winter Guard International, Don has help the responsibilities of being a member of the Percussion Advisory Board, Percussion Steering Committee, and member of the Board of Directors. He was inducted into the Winter Guard International Hall of Fame in 2010.

Don currently lives in Katy, TX with his wife, Stephanie and two children, Avery and Piper where he is the Director of Marketing for Pro-Mark drumsticks.

Currently living in Houston, Texas, John M. Whalin, the Clear Brook Visual Coordinator, has recently been visually consulting for various groups in Houston and Los Angeles. He has acted professionally, in Houston, as a lead with Stages Repertory Theatre (Five Course Love) and Theater LaB Houston (Bright Lights, Big City). John has performed nationally as a performer with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard, and as a baritone/trombonist touring with the Canadian Brass and the Star of Indiana in Brass Theatre. At Indiana University, he was Drum Major of the Marching Hundred and a vocal soloist for the Singing Hoosiers. After completing his degree in Music Education, trombone and voice, John taught several years of concert and marching band at Center Grove Middle and High Schools, multiple years traveling aboard cruise ships with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and currently works in recruiting strategy and development for Continental Airlines.