Fine Arts Department
Administration
George W. Jones has served as the Director of Fine Arts for the Garland Independent School District since 1997. Prior to assuming this administrative position, he served as a band director in Garland for 18 years. He began his teaching career at Memorial Middle School, moved to the assistant band director position at South Garland High School and served as head band director at Lakeview Centennial High School for 13 years. In 1996 he served as the first band director at Rowlett High School where he co-composed the school's Alma Mater and Fight Song with choir director Danny Baker.
Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master of Music from Southern Methodist University. He has served as a member of the Rowlett Arts and Humanities Commission and has been the conductor of the Richardson Community Band since 1983. He is a member of Texas Music Educator Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Administrator’s Conference and Phi Beta Mu.
His wife Donna teaches ESL students at Bullock Elementary and they have two children, Holly and Kyle.
Brenda Hass is the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Garland Independent School District. She recently joined our staff from Mesquite ISD where she served in Fine Arts for twenty years. Brenda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from East Texas State University and a Master’s Degree in Supervision from Texas Woman’s University. She taught elementary music for eleven years before moving into Fine Arts administration. Brenda has directed or accompanied the Mesquite Boys Choir for a number of years. She has accompanied many school, civic and church choirs over the years as well.
Brenda will be directing the All-City Girls Choir in Garland. In her spare time she enjoys writing music for special occasions and contemporary worship. Brenda has been married to Artie (PE specialist at Keeley Elementary) for 29 years. They have three children: Alisa, Aaron and Alanna.
Lisa Burkhart has served as secretary for the Fine Arts Department since 2001. She has been with the Garland school district since 1986 having worked at School Improvement prior to coming to the Fine Arts Department. Lisa is married to David Burkhart and has a dog named Samantha. She enjoys bible study, motorcycling, scuba diving and dancing.