Directors

Andrew Nance
Head Director

Andrew Nance began his tenure as the Head Band Director at Keller Central High School in 2025. Mr. Nance joined Keller ISD after spending 8 years at Legacy High School in Mansfield, TX, where he served as both an assistant and the head director.

Mr. Nance graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, with an instrumental emphasis on Trumpet. Mr. Nance also participated in the choral department at TCU and has sung in and conducted various choirs throughout Fort Worth.

Groups under Mr. Nance’s direction have won multiple UIL non-varsity and varsity sweepstakes awards at the High School and Middle School levels. Under his direction, the Legacy Bronco Marching Band advanced to Area Finals in 2019 & 2021. Most recently, the Legacy Wind Symphony was named a Mark of Excellence National Winner (2021 & 2022), Medal of Distinction Encore Circle Winner (2021), and Medal of Distinction Maestro National Winner (2022).

Mr. Nance currently resides in Arlington, TX, with his wife, Emily, and son, James.

Christopher Monasmith
Associate Director

Christopher Monasmith joined the staff at Keller Central High School in the Spring semester of 2026. Prior to working at Keller Central, Mr. Monasmith taught for seven years as an Assistant Band Director at Legacy High School and Texas City High School. His primary responsibilities included directing the Wind Ensemble and Pit Orchestra, overseeing the solo and chamber music curriculum, and assisting with the Marching Band, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Band. During his time at Legacy, the Wind Ensemble was awarded several Superior Ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation, and the Pit Orchestra was nominated for the Betty Buckley Award for Excellence in a Student Orchestra.

Mr. Monasmith received his Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from Baylor University. While at Baylor, he performed on oboe and english horn with the Baylor Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Campus Orchestra, and various chamber music ensembles. His primary teachers were Dr. Doris DeLoach, Dr. Eric Wilson, Dr. Isaiah Odajima, and Mr. Stephen Heyde.

Mr. Monasmith has continued to perform as an active oboist. He has the privilege of being a member of the Mansfield Wind Symphony, the East Texas Chamber Winds, and the Just Winds Woodwind Quintet. He currently resides in Arlington, TX, with his wife Jessica and their “fur babies,” Grey Kitty, Pazu, and Biscuit.

Ali Masswi
Associate Director

Ali Masswi joined the Keller Central Band staff in the 2026-2027 school year. Before joining Keller ISD, Mr. Masswi proudly served as the Assistant Band Director at Crowley High School, where he conducted the Non-Varsity and Sub Non-Varsity concert bands. He also coordinated all brass and visual aspects of the Mighty Eagle Marching Band and Crowley Indoor Drumline.

In 2025, Mr. Masswi received Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Tuba Performance from the University of North Texas, studying under Professor Donald Little. While in college, Mr. Masswi was a performing member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2024, earning a Gold Medal, the High Brass, and High Visual caption awards. He then served as a Visual Field Technician for the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band and the Lewisville High School Band. Mr. Masswi was a Tuba Section Leader for the Green Brigade for two years, as well as a member of the UNT Wind Ensemble and 8 O’Clock Steel Pan Ensemble. 

Mr. Masswi was born and raised on Galveston Island, TX, and graduated from Ball High School. Currently, Mr. Masswi lives in Fort Worth with his partner Lindsey and two cats, Guppy and Molly. He is also a member of the Fort Worth Winds as a tuba player and works as a Tuba Technician at River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps. Outside of work, Mr. Masswi likes spending time outdoors, flying kites, playing video games, and watching good TV.

Matthew Stephens
Percussion Director

Since 2012 Matt Stephens has been the Percussion Director at Keller Central High School, where his responsibilities also include teaching percussionists at Hillwood Middle School and Parkwood Hill Intermediate School. Prior to Keller, Mr. Stephens taught the percussionists at Fowler and Scoggins Middle Schools in Frisco, TX.

Matt Stephens attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While attending TCU, Mr. Stephens participated in numerous ensembles including the Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Horned Frog Marching Band, and the then four-time PASIC Champion TCU Percussion Orchestra. He also marched bass drum with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2009 and 2010. Matt has studied with Brian West, Joey Carter, Dave Hall, Paul Rennick, Brian Tinkel, Jim Casella, and Mike McIntosh among others. Matt has also performed in many amazing venues from Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, to New York City’s Merkin Hall, as well as Okayama, Japan and the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia. Mr. Stephens is an educational artist with Innovative Percussion.

Mr. Stephens grew up in McKinney, TX and graduated from McKinney North High School. He also attended Scott Johnson Middle School where his father, Paul, was his band director. Matt currently lives in Saginaw, TX with his wife, Hannah, and daughter, Clara.

Jacob Arie
Assistant Percussion Director

Jacob Arie joined the Keller Central High School staff from Fort Worth, where he attended Texas Christian University and received a Bachelor’s in Music Education. While attending TCU, Mr. Arie was involved in many performing ensembles, including the Horned Frog Marching Band, Wind Symphony, the Symphony Orchestra, the TCU Steel Bands, and the four-time PASIC Champion TCU Percussion Orchestra. While at TCU, Mr. Arie was a Presser Scholar, Chancellor Scholar, Resident Assistant, President of the TCU Percussion Club, and a two-year section leader of the TCU Front Ensemble and Drumline. Mr. Arie’s teachers include Brian West, Richard Gipson, Joey Carter, Jeff Hodge, and Andrew Eldridge.

Prior to attending TCU, Mr. Arie grew up in Mesquite, Texas, where he attended John Horn High School and Berry Middle school, where he was instructed by John Bingaman, Todd Burke, Patricia Islas, Clayton Stroup, and Doug Bush. While there, Mr. Arie was selected as an All-State Percussionist, and the percussion program—particularly the drumline—experienced immense growth and success at the local, state, and national levels.

Hannah Kroenert
Color Guard Director

A 2019 graduate of Marcus High School, Ms. Kroenert brings over a decade of experience in the marching arts, both as a performer and educator. Her performance background includes the Bluecoats (2019), CGT Dallas (2020), Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (2023), and Mirage Performance Ensemble (2023-2025). Additionally, she comes from a proud band family – her sisters were members of the Broken Arrow and L.D. Bell color guards, and both of her parents are actively involved in the marching arts. The lifelong connection to the activity continues to fuel her commitment to student success and community. Ms. Kroenert has a degree in Health Science and is currently pursing higher education to further her expertise in leadership and instruction.

Ms. Kroenert is passionate about creating a supportive, high-achieving environment where students feel valued, challenged, and inspired to grow. She focuses on strong technical training, performance excellence, and building a positive team culture on and off the field.

Outside of teaching, Ms. Kroenert enjoys staying active through hot yoga and Pilates. She’s often found with an iced coffee or energy drink in hand, and a touch of gold jewelry to complete her day.

Band Staff: Direct Lines & E-MAILS

Andrew Nance:  817.744.2138 - andrew.nance@kellerisd.net

Matthew Stephens: 817.744.2079 - matthew.stephens@kellerisd.net

Hannah Kroenert: directorkccg@gmail.com