AHS Orchestra Website > Directors' Bios.

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Linda Keefer
Linda has been the Director of Orchestras at Arlington High since 1976. During that time, the orchestra program has grown from a group of 11 strings students to a program with over 300 members and six orchestras. The AHS Symphony Orchestra has received Sweepstakes at UIL since 1979. Ms. Keefer received a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Arts in Music Education from West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. She was one of the original four strings teachers hired by Dean Corey in 1972 to help found the AISD Orchestra Program. During the Past 33 years, she has taught at numerous elementary and junior high schools in Arlington as well as directed both the Martin and Lamar High School Orchestras in addition to the AHS Orchestras. She is a PTA Life Member at AHS and was first runner-up for the 1996-1997 AISD "Aware Foundation" high school teacher of the year. Ms. Keefer was honored in 1998 by being selected by the faculty as Arlington High School's "Teacher of the Year." In 1999, the University of Texas Alumni Association recognized Ms. Keefer as one of the ten recipients statewide of the Texas Exes for Excellence Awards in education. Linda is a member of the Texas Music Educator's Association and MU OMICRON honorary orchestra fraternity. Ms. Keefer's children are both former members of the AHS Symphony. Nathan, class of 1998, teaches private cello lessons in the Arlington High School cluster. Trisha, class of 2000, is a Senior at Texas A&M University.



Toby Jones
Toby is an Assistant Director of Orchestras at Arlington High School. He graduated from Texas Christian University in May 2000 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He is also a graduate of Arlington High School. T. Jones began teaching in the Arlington Independent School District in August 2000 as the Assistant Director of Orchestras at Young Jr. High where his orchestra received its first Sweepstakes award at UIL competetion. Prior to receiving his degree, he held the principal trumpet position in the TCU Symphony, TCU Wind Symphony and Lead trumpet in the TCU Jazz Band. He played violin in the orchestra at Hill Elementary and Bailey Jr. High under the direction of Amanda Musser. He currently is the director of the Philharmonic and Chaconne Orchestras. T. Jones is excited about this year and working with such wonderful students and musicians.








Collin Tate
Collin is an Assistant Director of Orchestras at Arlington High School. She is a product of the AISD string program, starting cello with Connie Brouilette at Blanton Elementary, then with Pat Leverton at Carter Junior High, and last at Arlington High School with Linda Keefer. While at AHS as a student, she was an All-Region cellist, senior soloist, and Orchestra President. Collin is a graduate of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. While attending UTB/TSC, she was the Principal Cellist of the UTB Symphony Orchestra, the Harlingen Masterworks Series, and the Brownsville String Ensemble. Collin was the founding instructor and manager for the UTB/TSC Music Academy, which started the first string progam in the Brownsville area. After Collin graduated, she returned to the Metroplex where she taught orchestra at Arnold and Kennedy Middle Schools in Grand Prarie. Collin is very excited about her most recent position at Arlington High School and is looking forward to giving back to the program that sparked her love for music.