Mrs. Tiffany Lisko is in her 18th year of teaching and her 16th year as the Director of Bands at Dowell Middle School in McKinney ISD, where she teaches the beginner woodwind classes, the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and assists with the Symphonic Band. Mrs. Lisko currently serves on the leadership team at Dowell MS as the Fine Arts and Electives Team Lead.

Under her direction, the Dowell bands have received superior ratings at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contests as well as numerous Best in Class awards at local festivals, including Peak Festivals and The North Texas Festival of Distinction. The Dowell Wind Ensemble has repeatedly been selected by the Foundation for Music Education as a "Commended" and "National Winner" in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Project since 2014.  The DMS Full Symphony Orchestra was recently as a TMEA State Finalist in 2023. Mrs. Lisko serves as an active adjudicator and clinician throughout the state of Texas.  She was recently inducted into the Alpha chaper of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity.

Mrs. Lisko holds a Masters degree in Music Education from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she studied with Lynne Jackson, Brian Merrill and Frank Troyka. Mrs. Lisko received her bachelor's degree in music from the University Of Houston Moores School Of Music. While at the Moores School of Music, Mrs. Lisko studied instrumental methods with John Benzer and studied flute with Dr. Kim Clark. She served as Principal Piccolo in the University of Houston Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Tom Bennett.  Mrs. Lisko was also a proud member of the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band under the direction of David Bertman, where she also served as President of the Tau chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, National Band Sorority.  Mrs. Lisko is a graduate of Haltom High School and was selected as a Texas All-State musician on the Piccolo.  

Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the Alpha Chi National College Honors Society. Mrs. Lisko currently serves on the executive board for the Texas Adjudicators Association. She is married to Mr. Steve Lisko, who is a band director at Wylie HS in Wylie ISD.  Mr. and Mrs. Lisko currently live in Allen, TX with their 11-year old son Micah, and their dog Daisy.  In their free time, they love to hike, ride bikes, try new restaurants, and travel with family!

Tanner Carter is in his 3rd year of teaching at Dowell Middle School in McKinney ISD. Mr. Carter earned his Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He studied trumpet with Dr. Daniel Kelly and wind conducting with Mr. Phillip Clements and Mr. Allan Goodwin. While at TAMUC, he performed with numerous ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Choir, “Pride of the Court” Basketball Band, and the “Pride” Marching Band. He also served as trumpet section leader for the “Pride” Marching Band and as principal trumpet of the Symphonic Band. Furthermore, Mr. Carter just completed his first year of teaching in Cleburne ISD at Smith Middle School. Mr. Carter has also worked at Wylie High School and McKinney North High School as a marching band technician. He also completed his student teaching at McKinney North High School and Cockrill Middle School in May 2022. Lastly, Mr. Carter is professionally affiliated with TMEA, TBA, The International Trumpet Guild, Young Band Directors of Texas, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.