The Frenship Band Program is made up of passionate, dedicated, and talented teachers who work towards a common goal - to achieve excellence. We strive to perform music of the highest quality at the highest level and afford our students opportunities to grow as musicians and as individuals. It takes a village to realize these goals and make all of this happen! Listed below is the high school staff.
Dr. Ryan Smith
Director of Bands/Fine Arts Coordinator
Dr. Ryan Smith serves as the Director of Bands for Frenship High School and Fine Arts Coordinator for the Frenship Independent School District. While in Lubbock, Dr. Smith helped found the Lubbock Civic Orchestra where he currently serves as co-conductor. Prior to his position with FISD, Dr. Smith was Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Lubbock Christian University where he taught courses within the music education curriculum, conducting the Symphonic Band, Big Blue Basketball Band, and administered all facets of the LCU Band Program.
Dr. Smith holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from Texas Tech University. He holds a Master of Music and Bachelor of Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University with Texas State Board of Education Certification in All-Level Music.
Dr. Smith has proudly served on the faculty of Texas Tech University as Assistant Director of Bands assisting with the Goin’ Band from Raiderland and conducting the Concert Band. Prior to his appointment at LCU, he served on the faculty of Lamar University as Director of Athletic Bands and Instructor of Music. During his time at Lamar, Dr. Smith directed the “Showcase of Southeast Texas” marching band, LU Pep Band, and taught courses in music theory, music education, and instruction of the tuba euphonium studio. Dr. Smith’s public school experience includes teaching at the high school and junior high level in Klein, Katy, and Nacogdoches, Texas. His ensembles have performed at state and regional venues, and he maintains an active schedule as a clinician and adjudicator. He has held memberships with TMEA, TBA, CBDNA, NAfME, and Phi Beta Mu – International Bandmasters’ Fraternity.
Ryan’s wife, Amy, is an academic administrative assistant at Lubbock Christian University for the department of Humanities. They have three children, Chloe, Camden, and Carson, all proud members of Frenship High School Band.
Mr. Scott Carter
Associate Director of Bands/Marching Coordinator
Mr. Carter is a native of San Saba, Texas, and graduated from San Saba High School. There, he was named 1st chair trumpet of the Texas All-State Band. His Bachelor of Music degree was earned from Texas Tech University in 1999. While attending Texas Tech, Mr. Carter studied conducting with Gary Lewis and trumpet with Will Strieder. He was a member of the University Concert Band, the University Singers, and Court Jesters. He proudly served for two years as Drum Major of the nationally famous "Goin' Band from Raiderland", which in 1999, received the Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Trophy.
During his tenure, bands under the direction of Mr. Carter have received numerous UIL Sweepstakes Awards including eight appearances at the UIL 4A & 6A State Marching Championships. Mr. Carter continues to believe in the success of students by following a simple notion: by helping to make better people, better musicians will emerge.
Mr. Carter holds memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, and is an alumnus of the national band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi.
During his time off, Mr. Carter loves traveling, photography, and spending time with his family. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University. He and his wife, Tammy, have one son, Daniel, and one daughter, Nicole.
Mr. Aaron Perez
Assistant Director/Percussion Coordinator
Mr. Perez graduated from Texas Tech University in December 2018 with a degree in Music Education, emphasizing in Percussion. In his time at Tech, Mr. Perez played snare drum in the Texas Tech Drum Line, Zeta Iota Tau for 3 years with serving as the RT in 2015. Additionally, Mr. Perez was a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensembles I & II, Steel Band, and played drum set in both Jazz Combo I & II, and Jazz I & II big bands in his time at the university.
Outside of teaching, Mr. Perez performs on drum set and timpani in the orchestra at Lakeridge United Methodist Church on Sunday mornings. Additionally, he enjoys working as a studio percussionist on the side writing and recording content for a solo artist out of Decatur, Texas.
Mr. Hunter Stockton
Assistant Director/Brass Specialist/Jazz Band Director
Mr. Stockton was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University, where he also studied Tenor Trombone under Professor James Decker. During his time at TTU, he performed with many of TTU’s premiere ensembles. These ensembles include the Texas Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble 2, Goin’ Band from Raiderland, and the Texas Tech Trombone Choir.
Alongside his many experiences at Texas Tech, he has also been heavily involved in the Drum Corps activity for quite some time. He marched 2 seasons as a baritone player with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps and has taught as a low brass specialist with the Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps for the last 2 years.
Mr. Stockton is absolutely thrilled to be a part of not only the FHS band staff, but the greater Frenship community as well.
Mr. Jose Gonzalez
Assistant Director/Woodwind Specialist
Mr. Gonzalez is from the west Texas town of San Angelo, Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Texas Tech University where he studied clarinet with Dr. David Shea. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Gonzalez was part of the Texas Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Goin’ Band from Raiderland, the Texas Tech Undergraduate Woodwind Quintet, the Texas Tech Clarinet Choir, the Lakeridge UMC Orchestra and its subsequent Chamber Series, as well as many other small and large ensembles.
Mr. Gonzalez is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and is an alumnus of the national music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha.
When he is not working, Mr. Gonzalez enjoys spending time with his wife, Jazmin, and their two cats.
Ms. Amanda Knight
Fine Arts Administrative Assistant/Guard Director
Ms. Knight is the newest member of the Frenship Band Staff, joining the team in October of 2019. She is a graduate of Frenship High School and is also a graduate of the Frenship Tiger Band program where she was a member of the color guard as well as the twirling line and drum line. Ms. Knight serves on the band staff as the Guard Director and as the Fine Arts Administrative Assistant.
Ms. Knight has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Texas Tech University. She is also the Color Guard Director for the Texas Tech University Goin' Band from Raiderland, a position she's held since 2010. While at Texas Tech, she was a member of the Goin' Band from Raiderland Color Guard as well as a member of Tau Beta Sigma, the service sorority for the Goin' Band from Raiderland.
Ms. Knight is the proud mother of a beautiful 9-year old daughter, Lily Katherine. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country, but most specifically to her two favorite places, Branson, Missouri and Orlando, Florida.
Ms. Caitlin Kinder
Guard Technician
Caitlin graduated from Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, in 2020, and is now majoring in Human Development & Family Studies at Texas Tech University. In high school, Caitlin was a member of the Marcus Scholastic World Guard for four years. During her sophomore and junior years, Caitlin served as squad leader, and in her senior year she served as co-captain/section leader. Caitlin is very excited about the opportunity to serve as color guard technician for Frenship High School.
In the fall of 2019, Caitlin auditioned and was contracted to march with the Santa Clara Vanguard color guard, and she intended to march the 2020 DCI season. With the 2020 season delayed to 2021, Caitlin is anxiously awaiting next summer when she will again have the opportunity to march with SCV.
Outside of her time in color guard, Caitlin enjoys spending time with her family, listening to Harry Potter audiobooks, and participating in church community. She also enjoys traveling and has visited all 50 states.