DeSoto ISD Fine Arts Department

08/07/2026

Please help us give a warm Eagle welcome to Mr. Carl LaJaunie Jr. Director of Bands! We can't wait to see the incredible things our band program will accomplish under his leadership.

07/18/2026

A lot of knowledge. A bigger network. A whole lot to prove.

Our Band Boosters are stepping into this season recharged, inspired, and ready to work after an incredible weekend at the TBA Booster Institute.

Our student leaders came back from the Summer Leadership Institute with fresh ideas, new friendships from across Texas, and memories they'll never forget including one-on-one conversations with world-renowned composer and arranger Randall Standridge.

This wasn't just a trip. It was an investment in the future we're building at DeSoto Fine Arts.

07/12/2026

Congratulations to our DeSoto dance scholar, Lyric Flood, on earning a FULL-RIDE dance scholarship to Alabama State University! This incredible achievement is a testament to years of dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence.

Lyric would like to express her heartfelt gratitude to Ms. La'Mia Stromile , her dance teacher at McCowan Middle School, for laying the foundation of her dance journey. Through her instruction, Lyric was exposed to every aspect of dance while also learning the importance of character, integrity, and what it means to be a virtuous young woman.

She also extends a special thank you to Ms. Regina Tucker , her DeSoto High School dance teacher, for elevating her technique to the next level. Ms. Tucker's commitment to proper body mechanics, dancer wellness, and healthy training practices equipped Lyric to remain strong, healthy, and performing at an elite level throughout her high school career.

At DeSoto ISD, we don't see the arts as extracurricular, we see them as essential. That's why we proudly invest in academics, the arts, and athletics with equal intention. We know greatness is developed when exceptional educators pour into the whole child, helping students discover their gifts and equipping them to pursue them at the highest level. Lyric's full-ride scholarship is more than an individual achievement it's a reflection of what's possible when a community believes EVERY dream deserves to be cultivated.

Congratulations, Lyric! Your DeSoto Fine Arts family is proud of you, and we can't wait to watch you shine as a Hornet at Alabama State University. Your future is bright, and this is only the beginning.

07/09/2026

Our Eaglettes and our freshman team, the Aeries, spent part of their summer at HTE Dance Team Training Dallas, sharpening their craft and demonstrating that DeSoto students are preparing to compete on a global stage not just a local one.

They were finalists in every competition category. Winners in multiple categories. Voted Most Spirited Team by their peers. Seven of our dancers were selected for the HTE Dance Kick Academy and have earned invitations to perform in Paris during Spring Break.

This is bigger than trophies. It's about building artists, leaders, and ambassadors of our culture who can walk into any room, on any stage, anywhere in the world with confidence.

This is DeSoto. This is Fine Arts.

06/27/2026

Summer break is summer enrichment for DeSoto ISD Fine Arts. Our students and teachers are still creating, performing, and representing DeSoto on some of the biggest stages.

This week, several DeSoto ISD students from 2nd through 12th grade took the stage in the 41st Annual Summer Youth Arts Enrichment Institute The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, performing in Hallelujah Gospel! The Musical by the legendary Curtis King alongside outstanding young students from Dallas ISD.

A special shout-out to La'Mia Stromile , McCowan Middle School Dance Teacher, who served as a Dance Instructor and Choreographer, helping shape this incredible production and mentoring young performers throughout the experience.

Congratulations to all students for continuing to grow, perform, and proudly represent DeSoto ISD all summer long. Excellence doesn't take a vacation!

06/24/2026

Just because school is out doesn't mean our Fine Arts students stop striving for excellence!

Please join us in celebrating our outstanding Band and Choir students who represented DeSoto ISD at the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest in Austin. These students dedicated countless hours to practicing, refining their craft, and performing at the highest level of musical achievement in the state.

While many spent the start of summer relaxing, our students were still pursuing greatness, showcasing the talent, discipline, and commitment that make DeSoto Fine Arts exceptional.

Their success is a testament to the hard work of our students, directors, families, and supporters who continue to invest in excellence every day.

Congratulations to all of our State Solo & Ensemble participants! We are proud of your accomplishments and the way you continue to represent DeSoto ISD with pride and distinction.

04/21/2026

DeSoto Community—We Need YOU!

Our incredible choir students have been using their voices all year long to uplift, inspire, and represent the very best of our community and now it’s our turn to show up for them!

100% of all ticket sales go directly back to support our choir program, helping provide resources, opportunities, and experiences for these talented students.

Whether you can attend or not, you can STILL make an impact by purchasing a ticket and supporting their journey!

Grab your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-of-tomorrow-concert-tickets-1985883481953?aff=ebdssbdestsearch⁠

Use promo code: 75115

Let’s pack this event with love and support or flood it with donations from those cheering from afar. Either way, we show up BIG for our students!

04/17/2026

Come out and support our DHS Choir students Sunday April 26th. Remember to enter 75115 so your ticket purchase will support our students!

DeSoto!! Here is another opportunity to support our choir department! Purchase your tickets for the Voices of Tomorrow Concert- which promises to be packed with talent!! 100% of ticket sales from our communities are returned to each choir- so be sure to use OUR promo code- 75115!!! Simply search Eventbrite.com for “Voices of Tomorrow,” select your amount of tickets, and enter 75115 for the promo code!

See you at Community Missionary Baptist Church at 4pm on Sunday April 26!

04/17/2026

Performing for the State Board of Education was a powerful moment for both our students and our department. Our students showed incredible growth, confidence, and professionalism, representing the true impact of arts education.

For our department, it was a reminder of why we do this work every day.

It was an honor to share the stage with Fort Worth, Dallas, and Duncanville ISD. This opportunity was only possible because of that shared commitment.

04/03/2026

Way to go, Katherine Johnson Band!

Your hard work, focus, and determination are paying off, and it shows every time you step into rehearsal and onto the stage. You are setting the tone, building momentum, and proving that excellence is a choice you make every single day.

We are proud of the growth, the discipline, and the pride you carry as representatives of DeSoto ISD Fine Arts. Keep pushing, keep striving, and keep showing everyone what it means to be part of something great.

Every story of excellence starts with strong leadership. 🎶

At a recent UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy Band, led by director Kenya Thomas, earned straight 1s (Superior ratings) in sight‑reading—the highest distinction possible. This achievement reflects a clear instructional vision, skilled musicianship, and scholars who are taught to meet high expectations with confidence.

Under Ms. Thomas’ direction, scholars at KJTMA are learning more than music. They are developing discipline, focus, and pride through intentional instruction led by an accomplished musician who knows how to bring out their very best.

This is where excellence takes root. And it doesn’t stop here.

Join us in celebrating the scholars and the leadership that made this moment possible.