Red Oak Bands
Home of the Mighty Hawk Band
MEET THE DIRECTORS
Ethan Henshaw
Phone: (972) 617-4666 | Email: Ethan.Henshaw@redoakisd.org
Mr. Henshaw is thrilled to enter his first year as the head band director at Dr. Joy Shaw Middle School. For the past 10 years, he taught at Kennemer MS in Duncanville ISD. Under his direction, the Kennemer Bands consistently achieved superior ratings in the UIL concert and sightreading contest and, in 2023, the Symphonic 1 band advanced to the state level in the TMEA CCC Honor Band Competition.
Mr. Henshaw attended the University of North Texas and received Bachelor’s degrees in both music education and performance, as well as a Master’s degree in music performance. He studied euphonium with Dr. Brian Bowman and performed with the North Texas Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and the Green Brigade Marching Band. He can be heard as a soloist on multiple recordings with the North Texas Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band.
As a soloist, Mr. Henshaw was the winner of the 2009 Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Competition in the student euphonium division and was a semi-finalist in the artist division in 2010. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association.
When he isn’t teaching, Mr. Henshaw enjoys spending time with his wife, Paula, who is also a band director, and their daughter, Clara.
Jessica Monasmith
Phone: (972) 617-4666 | Email: Jessica.Monasmith@redoakisd.org
Mrs. Monasmith is beginning her sixth year teaching and third year in Red Oak ISD, and previously taught in Richardson ISD and Mansfield ISD. Mrs. Monasmith holds a bachelor’s in Music Education from Baylor University. While at Baylor University, Mrs. Monasmith performed with the Baylor Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Marching Band. Mrs. Monasmith also performed in various chamber ensembles including her flute quartet, Flute Fleet, who won Baylor’s chamber competition and performed in Carnegie Hall, NY City. Mrs. Monasmith currently plays with the Mansfield Wind Symphony, Just Winds Woodwind Quintet, and the East Texas Chamber Winds. Her professional affiliations include Texas Music Educator’s Association and Texas Bandmaster’s Association and she lives in Arlington with her husband, Chris Monasmith, dog Pazu, and cats Grey Kitty and Biscuit.
Percussion
Houston Youngman
Phone: (972) 617-4617 | Email: Houston.Youngman@redoakisd.org
Mr. Youngman is in his third year as the percussion director for Red Oak ISD. He graduated from the University of North Texas in 2020 with a degree in percussion performance. He has studied under Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, Mark Ford, Ed Smith, Poovalur Sriji, and Stockton Helbing among other acclaimed faculty. He aged out on the Troopers tenor line in 2019 and won first place in the PASIC 2019 I&E Small Ensemble division with the UNT Quad Ensemble.
Mr. Youngman previously worked at Byron Nelson High School in Trophy Club, Texas, where he served as a private lessons instructor, drumline technician, and percussion arranger. His students have achieved success in many areas, including numerous caption and placement awards at marching contests in the DFW area, and success in the Texas All-Region and All-State auditions.
David (DJ) Talbot
Phone: (972) 617-4617 | Email: David.Talbot@redoakisd.org
Mr. Talbot will be entering his second year as the Assistant Percussion Director for Red Oak ISD. Originally from Northwest Arkansas, Mr. Talbot holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas. He also earned his Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from East Texas A&M University. Mr. Talbot was an active performer in both DCI and WGI, most notably with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps and Resistance Indoor Percussion.
His goal as an educator is to help students become well-rounded musicians and equip them with tools and habits that will promote lifelong learning and success. Mr. Talbot promotes a positive learning environment in every class and is grateful to be a part of the Red Oak community, alongside his two cats, Princess and Zora.
