Deer Creek Band Faculty
Mr. Darby Cassaday...
...is in his 19th year of teaching and 10th year at Deer Creek Schools. Mr. Cassaday's responsibilities include teaching the H.S. Wind Symphony, H.S. Jazz Band, assisting with various aspects of the "Antler Pride" Marching Band, assisting with the Middle School Bands, and teaching Beginning Flute and Trombone classes. Under his direction, the Deer Creek Wind Symphony was selected to perform as an OkMEA Honor Band in 2020.
Prior to Deer Creek, Mr. Cassaday served as Director of Bands at Putnam City H.S. for 3 years and Assistant Director for 6 years, where the Wind Symphony was selected as an Honor Band at the OkMEA Convention and the Marching Band was selected to represent Oklahoma in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. He has also served as a Lead Teaching Artist at El Sistema Oklahoma.
Mr. Cassaday is a graduate of Sapulpa High School. He earned both his BM in Trombone Performance and BME in Instrumental Music Education with an Emphasis in Jazz Studies from the University of Tulsa. Mr. Cassaday received the School of Music Faculty Choice for Outstanding Student Award and was named a Presser Foundation Scholar. He earned his MME in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Oklahoma, studying with Dr. William Wakefield. In 2010, on scholarship from Education Leadership Oklahoma, Mr. Cassaday completed his National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards in Early Adolescent through Young Adult Instrumental Music. He plays trombone in the OKC metro and maintains a small private trombone studio.
Mr. Cassaday's professional affiliations include NAfME, OkMEA, CODA, OBA, OkJE, OMAA, NFHS Music Association, and the Int'l Trombone Association. He has previously served as the OkMEA All-State Band Chair, OkMEA Band Division VP, CODA President, and on OSSAA Music Advisory Board.
...is in his 19th year of teaching and 10th year at Deer Creek Schools. Mr. Cassaday's responsibilities include teaching the H.S. Wind Symphony, H.S. Jazz Band, assisting with various aspects of the "Antler Pride" Marching Band, assisting with the Middle School Bands, and teaching Beginning Flute and Trombone classes. Under his direction, the Deer Creek Wind Symphony was selected to perform as an OkMEA Honor Band in 2020.
Prior to Deer Creek, Mr. Cassaday served as Director of Bands at Putnam City H.S. for 3 years and Assistant Director for 6 years, where the Wind Symphony was selected as an Honor Band at the OkMEA Convention and the Marching Band was selected to represent Oklahoma in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. He has also served as a Lead Teaching Artist at El Sistema Oklahoma.
Mr. Cassaday is a graduate of Sapulpa High School. He earned both his BM in Trombone Performance and BME in Instrumental Music Education with an Emphasis in Jazz Studies from the University of Tulsa. Mr. Cassaday received the School of Music Faculty Choice for Outstanding Student Award and was named a Presser Foundation Scholar. He earned his MME in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Oklahoma, studying with Dr. William Wakefield. In 2010, on scholarship from Education Leadership Oklahoma, Mr. Cassaday completed his National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards in Early Adolescent through Young Adult Instrumental Music. He plays trombone in the OKC metro and maintains a small private trombone studio.
Mr. Cassaday's professional affiliations include NAfME, OkMEA, CODA, OBA, OkJE, OMAA, NFHS Music Association, and the Int'l Trombone Association. He has previously served as the OkMEA All-State Band Chair, OkMEA Band Division VP, CODA President, and on OSSAA Music Advisory Board.
Ms. Whitney Callen...
...is in her first year as an Assistant Band Director at Deer Creek Schools. Her responsibilities include coordinating and teaching all Middle School Bands, teaching Beginning Clarinet, and assisting with the "Antler Pride' Marching Band and high school concert ensembles.
Ms. Callen is a recent graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education and completed her student teaching at Deer Creek. Ms. Callen is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Instrumental Music Education from SWOSU and recently served as a Graduate Assistant for the Music Department.
During her graduate work, Ms. Callen was principal clarinet for the SWOSU Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, assisted with music education courses, assisted with the Pride of the Great Southwest Marching Band, conducted the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, and coached chamber ensembles. Ms. Callen is excited to begin passing on her passion for music education to students and eager to join the wonderful team of educators at Deer Creek!
...is in her first year as an Assistant Band Director at Deer Creek Schools. Her responsibilities include coordinating and teaching all Middle School Bands, teaching Beginning Clarinet, and assisting with the "Antler Pride' Marching Band and high school concert ensembles.
Ms. Callen is a recent graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education and completed her student teaching at Deer Creek. Ms. Callen is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Instrumental Music Education from SWOSU and recently served as a Graduate Assistant for the Music Department.
During her graduate work, Ms. Callen was principal clarinet for the SWOSU Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, assisted with music education courses, assisted with the Pride of the Great Southwest Marching Band, conducted the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, and coached chamber ensembles. Ms. Callen is excited to begin passing on her passion for music education to students and eager to join the wonderful team of educators at Deer Creek!
Mr. Greg Evraets…
… is in his third year as Assistant Band Director at Deer Creek Schools. His responsibilities include coordinating the “Antler Pride” Marching Band, teaching the H.S. Symphonic Band, assisting with the Middle School Bands, and teaching Beginning Trumpet.
Prior to Deer Creek, Mr. Evraets served as Assistant Band Director at Edmond North H.S., where he taught Marching Band, Beginning Trumpet and Trombone, and conducted the H.S. Concert Band. Mr. Evraets has also served as an Adjunct Instructor of Brass, Chamber Music and Marching Band at Mustang H.S. and Edmond North H.S. He also maintains a small private trumpet studio.
Mr. Evraets graduated from Edmond Santa Fe H.S. and went on to study Trumpet Performance and Instrumental Music Education at Oklahoma State University, where he placed first in the National Trumpet Competition (LG Ensemble Division). He finished his bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Oklahoma.
In addition to teaching, Mr. Evraets is an active performer in the OKC area. He was a member and featured soloist for OKC's "Frontier Brass Band" on both Cornet and Flugelhorn. Mr. Evraets has also performed with the International Award Winning “Fountain City Brass Band” in both the U.S. and overseas.
… is in his third year as Assistant Band Director at Deer Creek Schools. His responsibilities include coordinating the “Antler Pride” Marching Band, teaching the H.S. Symphonic Band, assisting with the Middle School Bands, and teaching Beginning Trumpet.
Prior to Deer Creek, Mr. Evraets served as Assistant Band Director at Edmond North H.S., where he taught Marching Band, Beginning Trumpet and Trombone, and conducted the H.S. Concert Band. Mr. Evraets has also served as an Adjunct Instructor of Brass, Chamber Music and Marching Band at Mustang H.S. and Edmond North H.S. He also maintains a small private trumpet studio.
Mr. Evraets graduated from Edmond Santa Fe H.S. and went on to study Trumpet Performance and Instrumental Music Education at Oklahoma State University, where he placed first in the National Trumpet Competition (LG Ensemble Division). He finished his bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Oklahoma.
In addition to teaching, Mr. Evraets is an active performer in the OKC area. He was a member and featured soloist for OKC's "Frontier Brass Band" on both Cornet and Flugelhorn. Mr. Evraets has also performed with the International Award Winning “Fountain City Brass Band” in both the U.S. and overseas.
Mr. Darren Heath...
...is in his fifth year at Deer Creek serving as Assistant Band Director and Percussion Coordinator. Mr. Heath’s responsibilities include teaching the percussion section of the “Antler Pride” Marching Band, the H.S. Percussion Ensembles, Beginning Flute, Beginning Percussion, 7th Grade Percussion, and 8th Grade Percussion classes.
Mr. Heath has taught as an adjunct instructor in Edmond starting in 2015, where he instructed the front ensemble for the Edmond North Husky Marching Band, and taught private lessons for several sites in the Edmond Public Schools system. He has also worked as a freelance percussion arranger, music producer, recording artist, and performer in the Oklahoma City area.
Mr. Heath was raised in Midwest City, OK. He holds both a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from Oklahoma City University. While a graduate student at OKCU, Mr. Heath served as the graduate assistant for the percussion department and the percussion coordinator for Oklahoma Youth Orchestras. Mr. Heath has experience with a wide range of musical styles and has performed in traditional settings, as well as in music theater, jazz and rock ensembles. A few of Mr. Heath’s favorite things include coffee, pizza, and cats. He currently resides in Yukon with his wife, Lauren and cat, Watson.
Mr. Heath's professional affiliations include NAfME, OkMEA, CODA, OBA, and the Percussive Arts Society, and he is a Salyers Percussion Education Team artist.
...is in his fifth year at Deer Creek serving as Assistant Band Director and Percussion Coordinator. Mr. Heath’s responsibilities include teaching the percussion section of the “Antler Pride” Marching Band, the H.S. Percussion Ensembles, Beginning Flute, Beginning Percussion, 7th Grade Percussion, and 8th Grade Percussion classes.
Mr. Heath has taught as an adjunct instructor in Edmond starting in 2015, where he instructed the front ensemble for the Edmond North Husky Marching Band, and taught private lessons for several sites in the Edmond Public Schools system. He has also worked as a freelance percussion arranger, music producer, recording artist, and performer in the Oklahoma City area.
Mr. Heath was raised in Midwest City, OK. He holds both a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from Oklahoma City University. While a graduate student at OKCU, Mr. Heath served as the graduate assistant for the percussion department and the percussion coordinator for Oklahoma Youth Orchestras. Mr. Heath has experience with a wide range of musical styles and has performed in traditional settings, as well as in music theater, jazz and rock ensembles. A few of Mr. Heath’s favorite things include coffee, pizza, and cats. He currently resides in Yukon with his wife, Lauren and cat, Watson.
Mr. Heath's professional affiliations include NAfME, OkMEA, CODA, OBA, and the Percussive Arts Society, and he is a Salyers Percussion Education Team artist.
Mrs. Sarah Rillo-Cegielski...
...is a designer, choreographer, and consultant for marching arts programs in scholastic and independent spaces. Sarah’s career in the marching arts began in 2007 with the Pride of Broken Arrow from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma as a member of the color guard. After graduation, Sarah performed with The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard from San Antonio, Texas, in their 2010 and 2011 seasons. She spent her age-out season helping secure a DCI World Championship title with The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard from Concord, California, in 2012. Sarah also performed with Onyx Independent World Winter Guard in their 2014 season, winning a World Championship title with the ensemble. Sarah was awarded the opportunity to perform internationally with the Blue Devils International Corps for their 2015 season. She performed in several European countries, including Switzerland, Italy, The United Kingdom, and The Netherlands. Sarah was also a part of the Maggie Allesee Department of Theater and Dance at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where she was given the opportunity to study and perform under world-renowned educators, dancers, choreographers, and directors including Meg Paul, Biba Bell, Molly Shanahan, Brandon Koepsell, Rachael Harbert, Jarrell Gordy, and Ron Brown.
In her teaching career, Sarah has acted as a choreographer and technician for several drum corps, including Legends Drum and Bugle Corps, The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, The Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. She was also given the opportunity to act as color guard designer for Legends Drum and Bugle Corps in their 2019 season and acted as co-caption head and choreographer for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps from 2020-2022. Sarah has directed, choreographed, designed, and consulted for high schools around the U.S. for both their fall and winter seasons, including Coweta High School (OK), Lake Orion High School (MI), Walled Lake Central High School (MI), West Bloomfield High School (MI), Camdenton High School (MO), William Mason High School (OH), Mustang High School (OK), Papillion La Vista South High School (NE), and many others. Most recently, Sarah was the color guard director and choreographer for the Pride of Broken Arrow color guard from 2017-2021, helping them win their latest Grand National Championship title in 2021. Currently, Sarah is assisting the visual staff at The Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and is excited to begin her new role as color guard director at Deer Creek High School (OK).
...is a designer, choreographer, and consultant for marching arts programs in scholastic and independent spaces. Sarah’s career in the marching arts began in 2007 with the Pride of Broken Arrow from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma as a member of the color guard. After graduation, Sarah performed with The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard from San Antonio, Texas, in their 2010 and 2011 seasons. She spent her age-out season helping secure a DCI World Championship title with The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard from Concord, California, in 2012. Sarah also performed with Onyx Independent World Winter Guard in their 2014 season, winning a World Championship title with the ensemble. Sarah was awarded the opportunity to perform internationally with the Blue Devils International Corps for their 2015 season. She performed in several European countries, including Switzerland, Italy, The United Kingdom, and The Netherlands. Sarah was also a part of the Maggie Allesee Department of Theater and Dance at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where she was given the opportunity to study and perform under world-renowned educators, dancers, choreographers, and directors including Meg Paul, Biba Bell, Molly Shanahan, Brandon Koepsell, Rachael Harbert, Jarrell Gordy, and Ron Brown.
In her teaching career, Sarah has acted as a choreographer and technician for several drum corps, including Legends Drum and Bugle Corps, The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, The Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. She was also given the opportunity to act as color guard designer for Legends Drum and Bugle Corps in their 2019 season and acted as co-caption head and choreographer for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps from 2020-2022. Sarah has directed, choreographed, designed, and consulted for high schools around the U.S. for both their fall and winter seasons, including Coweta High School (OK), Lake Orion High School (MI), Walled Lake Central High School (MI), West Bloomfield High School (MI), Camdenton High School (MO), William Mason High School (OH), Mustang High School (OK), Papillion La Vista South High School (NE), and many others. Most recently, Sarah was the color guard director and choreographer for the Pride of Broken Arrow color guard from 2017-2021, helping them win their latest Grand National Championship title in 2021. Currently, Sarah is assisting the visual staff at The Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and is excited to begin her new role as color guard director at Deer Creek High School (OK).