McLean High School Band

Dear Students and Parents,

I am writing to share an important staff update for the upcoming school year. Our current Percussion Director, Mr. Dakota Kaylor, has accepted a new position as a General Music Teacher at Fort Hunt Elementary School and will be transitioning to that role in August. While we will certainly miss him, I fully understand and support this exciting opportunity, which will be a positive move for his family, schedule, and work-life balance. I know he will be outstanding in this new position. Mr. Kaylor has been an impactful member of the McLean Bands staff since becoming Percussion Director in 2020, beginning his first year with us during virtual instruction amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During his time here, he has played an integral role in rebuilding the program, developing curriculum that supports students at all levels, and increasing enrollment in percussion. He has been a collaborative and dedicated teacher, working closely with both staff and students, and I have always appreciated his commitment to continual improvement. Mr. Kaylor has done a tremendous job, and I am grateful for his friendship and daily partnership. I wish him continued success and happiness in this next chapter. Mr. Kaylor will still be teaching private percussion lessons in the area after school hours.

I am also excited to welcome Mr. Doug Wallace as the new Percussion Director at McLean and Longfellow. Mr. Wallace is a highly experienced percussion teacher, clinician, composer, and performer who has been active in the Washington, DC area for many years. He brings a wealth of experience as both a performer and an educator. Mr. Wallace previously served as the Percussion Director at McLean until 2010, before moving out of the area for a short time, and I am thrilled to welcome him back to the McLean Band family. He has taught at many schools throughout our region, maintained a strong private teaching studio in McLean, performed in a wide range of professional settings, and served for many years as one of the directors of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras. Mr. Wallace has been a friend and colleague for many years, and I am excited to work with him again in a more consistent capacity. He will be an excellent fit for our students and staff, and I look forward to seeing him begin working with everyone in August. You can learn more about Mr. Wallace on his website: https://www.dougwallacepercussion.com/about-doug.html

Please join me in wishing Mr. Kaylor all the best as he transitions to his new position and in warmly welcoming Mr. Wallace to our team. I am excited to see what lies ahead for our percussion students at McLean.

About Doug Doug Wallace is a performer, composer, and educator with diverse experience in all areas of percussion performance and pedagogy. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School,...

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