MEET THE BAND DIRECTORS
Corey Graves
Director of Bands
Corey LaMon Graves is in his fifteenth year of teaching and opened Tony A. Jackson Middle School in Forney ISD as it's new head director in the Fall of 2021. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Graves served as the head director of Roma Middle School for eleven years. Mr. Graves received his Bachelor of Music Education degree as a summa cum laude graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) in 2007. Mr. Graves earned a Master of Music in Euphonium Performance from The Ohio State University (OSU) as a graduate fellow in 2008.
Mr. Graves is a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar and the Region XV Middle School Coordinator. Bands under his direction have consistently received superior sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest, and have also earned high levels of recognition at both the state and national stage, being recognized as a National and Commended Winner in The Foundation for Music Education National Wind Band contest from 2013-2019. The RMS Symphonic Winds have been consistent state finalists in the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band Competition, being recently honored as the 2020 TMEA CC Honor Band.The RMS Symphonic Winds were also invited to perform at the 70th Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. The RMS band program is a 2019 recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Cup Award and named a Rio Grande Valley Program of Distinction. Mr. Graves was chosen as Roma ISD’s 2013 Secondary Teacher of the Year and named the Phi Beta Mu Texas Young Bandmaster of the Year in 2017. He is an active clinician, adjudicator, guest euphoniumist, sits on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and maintains professional affiliations with Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee, and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.
Mr. Graves credits his passion for music to his mother, Brenda M. Moore (who is affectionately known as “Mama Graves” by his students), his drive for success to his grandmother, Mrs. Vergie Graves, and his love of education to an incredible list of music educators across the country.
Tina Sala
Assistant Band Director
Tina Sala is currently in her third year of teaching and her second year of teaching in Forney ISD. Ms. Sala is a Baylor University graduate where she received her Bachelor of Music Education under Dr. Michael Jacobson, Dr. Eric Wilson, Mr. Alex Parker and Dr. David Montgomery. Her primary instrument is saxophone and throughout her undergraduate degree she participated in the Golden Wave Marching Band, the Baylor University Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble and other saxophone quartets and jazz combos.
Ms. Sala currently serves as the Assistant Band Director at Jackson Middle School and Rhodes Intermediate, where she co-directs the Symphonic Band and teaches the beginning saxophone, flute, and double-reed classes. During Jackson's first year open in 2021, the Symphonic Band received the first UIL Concert & Sight Reading Sweepstakes Award in school history. Prior to her appointment at Jackson, Ms. Sala was the Assistant Band Director at O.P. Norman Junior High in Kaufman ISD and in the fall of 2020, Ms. Sala was awarded the TMEA Music Educators Award.
In addition to teaching, Ms. Sala is a founding member of the Dallas-based brass band, Funk & Cover and regularly works with the Baylor Summer Music Camps. She is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association. She currently lives in Dallas with her pup, Luna and loves to eat sushi.
Quintavia Deshay
Assistant Band Director
Quintavia Deshay is excited to be a part of the Jackson Middle School Team and the Jaguar Band Program as a second-year Assistant Director. In addition to being one of the Co-Directors for Symphonic Band, Ms. Deshay assists the Symphonic Winds and teaches beginning Tuba, Euph, Trombone, and Co-teaches the Double Reed classes.
Born and raised in Austin Texas, she earned her Bachelor's Degree May 2021 in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, Magna Cum Laude. Her Stephen F. Austin mentors include Dr. J.D. Salas, Dr. Tamey Angelly, Dr. Christopher Kaatz, and Dr. David Campo. Ms. Deshay had the opportunity to serve as a tuba player for the Stephen F. Austin State University Bands, Roarin’ Buzzsaws, and as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant of the Lumberjack Marching Band. Upon graduation, Ms. Deshay was the recipient of the Outstanding Senior in Instrumental Music Education Award. When not teaching, Ms. Deshay enjoys playing her instrument, wood burning, and walking her dogs-Mack, Chiquita, and Cashews.
Ms. Deshay feels honored to have the opportunity to work with and welcome such phenomenal students' ; who motivate her to grow not only as an educator but as a member of society.
Ms. Deshay is professionally affiliated, with the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Young Band Directors of Texas, and International Tuba Euphonium Association.
Kohei Sakai
Percussion Director
Kohei Sakai is in his first year as the Percussion Director at North Forney High School. He teaches percussion classes at North Forney High School and also at the feeder middle schools and intermediate campuses.
Originally from Michigan and Ohio, Mr. Sakai came to Texas to attend the University of North Texas where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Percussion. He performed in the marching band, concert bands, various classical and world percussion ensembles, and jazz ensembles. Prior to North Forney, he has worked with several drumlines and percussion groups in the DFW area including Plano ISD, Lake Dallas High School, Aubrey High School, Summit High School, and several other schools in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Outside of band, Mr. Sakai loves good food, sports, animals, Japan, and hanging out with friends and family.
Ben Underbrink
Assistant Band Director
Ben Underbrink serves as assistant band director at Forney High School. He will be assisting with the concert bands and beginner horn class at Jackson MS.
Mr. Underbrink is in his 5th year of teaching and 2nd year at Forney High School. Prior to teaching at Forney, Mr. Underbrink spent his first 3 years with Cypress Woods High School in Cypress, Texas. While at Woods, all concert bands received sweepstakes and the marching band was a 6A State Marching Contest Finalist. During those years, his responsibilities included assisting with the Wildcat Marching Band, directing the Concert Winds and Symphonic Band, teaching AP Music Theory, and conducting the school musicals.
Mr. Underbrink received his undergraduate degree in music education from Texas A&M University – Commerce. During his time at Commerce, Mr. Underbrink was a two-year drum major of the Pride Marching Band and four-year member of the Wind Ensemble.
Mr. Underbrink lives in Dallas with his wife, Alexandria, and their dog, Khali. Ms. Miller serves as a band director at Berkner High School in Richardson, Tx. Mr. Underbrink is excited to join the Forney band family and is looking forward to getting to know the community!