Directors

Brandon Fisher
DIRECTOR OF BANDS

Mr. Fisher is in his fourth year at McKinney High School.  He served for two years as Associate Director of Bands before becoming Director of Bands.  During his time at MHS, Mr. Fisher has earned consistent Superior Ratings at the University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluations, and has reestablished a jazz band program.  Under his leadership as Interim Director of Bands, the Royal Pride Band continued the tradition of many successful performances at contests and community events. 

Prior to this position, Mr. Fisher was the Director of Bands at Scott Middle School in Denison, Texas for four years. Under his leadership, the Scott Middle School Band program doubled in enrollment, started a Jazz Band and applied music courses, established a private lesson program, earned consistent Superior Ratings at the University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluations, and made major strides in representation in the All-Region Band. Prior to his appointment as Director of Bands, Mr. Fisher worked at B. McDaniel Intermediate School.

Mr. Fisher graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While at TAMUC, he was a euphonium player in the Wind Ensemble, President of Kappa Kappa Psi, and Drum Major of the "Pride" Marching Band for two years. In 2015, Mr. Fisher was named the Denison ISD Rookie Teacher of the Year. In 2017, he graduated with a Master of Education in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification from the University of North Texas.  

His professional affiliations include the Texas Educators Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi. Mr. Fisher is a proud Eagle Scout and is grateful for a loving and supportive family, as well as strong mentors that continue to help shape and mold him into the band director he aspires to be.

Mr. Fisher is excited to work with students, parents, staff, and the community of McKinney to move the band program forward to honor the past, embrace the present, and inspire the future.

Alexandria underbrink
associate band Director

Alexandria Underbrink is the Assistant Band Director at McKinney High School. She is in her sixth year of teaching and her first year in McKinney ISD.

Mrs. Underbrink spent her first five years of band directing in Richardson ISD, serving her first four years at Berkner High School and one year at Forest Meadow Junior High. While at Berkner, she had the honor to travel with Berkner's invited groups to international ensemble performances, including PASIC 2018 and the Midwest Clinic 2019.

This past year, Mrs. Underbrink served as an administrative coordinator for the “Young Musicians” program with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Mrs. Underbrink grew up in Keller, Texas and received her Bachelors in Music Education from Oklahoma State University. She studied the Trumpet with Dr. Ryan Gardner and was involved in multiple ensembles including the Symphonic Band, numerous chamber ensembles, sang in various touring Jazz ensembles and combos, and placed third in the National Trumpet Competition - Large Ensemble Division. During her time at OSU, Mrs. Underbrink was the Drum Major of the Cowboy Marching Band, taught private lessons, and studied vocal pedagogy. Mrs. Underbrink has served as a leadership instructor since 2020, and enjoys teaching at summer leadership camps and currently plays Cornet with the Dallas Brass Band. 

Mrs. Underbrink lives in Richardson with her husband, Ben, and their dog, Khali. Mr. Underbrink is also a band director at Forney High School in Forney, Texas. When she isn’t teaching, Mrs. Underbrink enjoys yoga, rock climbing, disc golf, reading and all the coffee she can drink.

Marshall Mixon
Associate Band Director

Marshall Mixon graduated Summa Cum Laude in Music Education and Oboe Performance from Texas Tech University. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Mixon had the opportunity to be a member of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, the Lubbock Chamber Orchestra, New Music ensembles, and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Sarah McKoin. He also served as a drum major for the Goin' Band from Raiderland in his last two years.

Next year will mark Mr. Mixon’s fourth year of teaching, all of which have been in McKinney ISD. He began his career at Cockrill Middle School, where he directed the concert band, specialized in woodwind instruction, and played a key role in developing and implementing new curriculum initiatives for the CMS band.

Mr. Mixon is a professional oboist outside of teaching, and can be found performing with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Eugene Corporon and Dr. Andrew Trachsel. He also holds professional relations with the Texas Music Educators Association, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, the Theta Kappa chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Society, and the Alpha Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi - where he served as the Vice President for Membership.

Mr. Mixon lives in McKinney with his wife and daughter. He is coming up on his fourth wedding anniversary this year, and enjoys everything coffee, going to the gym, home projecting, and riding / working on his motorcycle.

John SCharf
Percussion Director

Mr. Scharf holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Michigan State University. He previously served as Percussion Director at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio, where he helped lead the Percussion Ensemble to four consecutive Bands of America Grand National Finals appearances. He also prepared the Wind Symphony for prestigious performances at the 2022 Midwest Clinic and the 2025 Music for All National Concert Band Festival.

Mr. Scharf is actively involved in the marching arts, currently serving as Battery Coordinator for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He also served as Ensemble Manager for Matrix Open from 2020–2024. His instructional experience includes working with the Phantom Regiment (2019–2022), along with numerous high school marching bands throughout the Midwest. As a performer, Mr. Scharf was a member of NorthCoast Academy (2014–2015), Matrix Performing Arts (2017–2018), and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2017).

Mr. Scharf is excited to join the supportive and dedicated community of the Royal Pride Band and looks forward to contributing to its proud legacy. He proudly endorses Innovative Percussion and the Avedis Zildjian Company.

Megan Dufala
Color Guard Director

Ms. Dufala is originally from Avon, OH, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Bowling Green State University, with a cognate focus in Dance Performance and Education.

She has applied her background in movement science and pedagogy into various instructional roles at both the high school and drum corps levels. She is actively serving as the Assistant Caption Head for the Madison Scouts Color Guard. Her scholastic teaching experience spans programs including Milford High School, Campbell County High School, and William Mason High School, where she has contributed to both performance development and performer wellness.

As a performer, she was a member of several independent Winter Guard programs, including Pride of Cincinnati (2021-2022), Bluecoats Indoor (2018-2019), Interplay (2016-2017), and Phoenix Independent (2014-2015). She also completed her DCI career as a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (2014-2017).

Ms. Dufala is excited to lead the Color Guard program at McKinney High School and is dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and growth for all students involved.

Aaron Perez
ASSISTANT PERCUSSION Director

Aaron Perez is in his seventh year of teaching and is excited to begin his first year in McKinney ISD. Before joining the MHS Cluster, he served as the Percussion Director at Frenship High School in Wolfforth and at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton. Under his direction, Mr. Perez’s percussion students have earned numerous accolades, including appearances at the UIL State Marching Band Championships and placements in the TMEA All-State Bands and Orchestras.

Mr. Perez earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University in 2018. During his time at Texas Tech, he performed with several esteemed ensembles including the Goin’ Band from Raiderland, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band I, and Percussion Ensemble I. He had the opportunity to perform in concerts and clinics alongside renowned percussionists and jazz musicians, including two appearances at TMEA. His primary teachers included Dr. Lisa Rogers (keyboard percussion) and Alan Shinn (drum set and timpani).

Originally from Dallas, Mr. Perez is a graduate of Richardson High School, where he was inspired to pursue percussion education by his teachers Roland Muzquiz and Dave Schmuck. He strongly believes that music is a powerful tool for teaching lifelong lessons and that every student deserves access to high-quality music education.

Mr. Perez remains active in the music community as an adjudicator, private lesson instructor, and drumline technician. He also performs regularly throughout the DFW metroplex as a percussionist and drum set player in various bands and recording projects. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Percussive Arts Society.