Mansfield Summit Band Directors
Travis Whaley - Director of Bands
Responsibilities: Wind Ensemble Director, Marching Band Director, Marching Band Program Coordinator, Brass Coordinator, Color Guard Sponsor, Finances, Fundraising, Spring Trip, March-A-Thon, Solo and Ensemble Contest, Weekly Jag Band Update, Student Leadership
Travis Whaley is currently Director of Bands of Mansfield Summit High School in Arlington, Texas. He most recently served as an Assistant Director of Bands at James Martin High School from 2019 to 2022 where he was charged with teaching the Warrior Marching Band brass line, as well as the second and fourth bands. Prior to Martin High School, Mr. Whaley was Director of Bands at Liberty High School located in Henderson, NV from 2012 to 2019 where the marching and concert band consistently earned superior ratings and the Southern Nevada Band Association Sweepstakes Award since the awards’ existence. Under his direction the Liberty High School Band grew from 55 students to a program of three concert bands, two jazz bands, a percussion ensemble, dozens of chamber ensembles, two winter guards, and a successful winter drumline. Prior to Liberty High School, Mr. Whaley taught at Cannon Junior High School in Las Vegas where the program grew from 150 students, to over 300 students.
Mr. Whaley earned a Master of Education in Technology degree from Grand Canyon University in 2015, and Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2010 from Northern Arizona University where he studied trombone with David Vining. While attending NAU, he held the position of Drum Major for the Lumberjack Marching Band for three years, was an officer of the schools’ chapter of the National Association of Music Education (NAfME) and was a founding member, Historian, and President of the Kappa Xi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He was a member of The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps playing baritone in 2008, and held the position of drum major in 2009, and 2010. After his age out, he has traveled almost every summer with the corps as a tour manager.
Outside of school, Mr. Whaley teaches private trombone lessons, writes marching band drill, fights a crippling Cheez-it addiction, enjoys a gratuitous amount of couch time with his cat, Cat-Cat, and his pug, Puglee, probably has a current DIY project happening to his house, and will talk about Star Trek anywhere at any time.
Email Mr. Whaley at traviswhaley@misdmail.org
Beth Hermanson - Associate Director of Bands
Responsibilities: Symphonic Band Director, Concert Band Director, Woodwind Coordinator, Uniforms, Instrument Inventory, Lockers, Private Lesson Staff Coordinator
Ms. Hermanson is the Associate Director of Bands at Summit High School in Mansfield ISD. Before coming to Summit, Ms. Hermanson taught in the Deer Valley Unified School District in Phoenix, Arizona for 10 years. She started her career teaching elementary band at Bellair and Mountain Shadows for 2 years. After going full time at Bellair for one year teaching K-6 general music, band, and choir, she decided to make the move the middle school and taught Band, Choir, Orchestra and General Music at Deer Valley Middle School for 7 years. In addition, Ms. Hermanson was the Assistant Marching Band Director at Barry Goldwater High School for 8 years where she taught marching band and was actively involved in the Winterguard and Indoor Percussion ensembles.Ms. Hermanson holds a Masters in Wind Band Conducting from Texas Tech University in 2022 where she studied with Dr. Sarah McKoin and a Bachelor of Music Education from Northern Arizona University in 2010 where she studied euphonium with Pete Vivona, David Vining, Christian Carichner, Dr. Kent Eshelman, and Dr. Alex Lapins. Ms. Hermanson played euphonium in the top performing wind ensemble at NAU for four years but also played trombone and tuba in various performing ensembles at NAU. At Texas Tech, Ms. Hermanson as inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, a Music Honors Society. In her undergrad, she was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity for Women, NAU’s collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education, and NAU’s collegiate chapter of the International Tuba/Euphonium Association. Ms. Hermanson served as president for both Sigma Alpha Iota and the National Association for Music Education chapters.Outside of school, Ms. Hermanson teaches private low brass lessons, is in search of every good coffee shop in the DFW area, and will talk more than you want her to about everything Disney and Harry Potter.
Email Ms. Hermanson at elizabethhermanson@misdmail.org
Chad Solis - Percussion Director
Responsibilities: Percussion Director at Summit HS, Howard MS, and Cross Timbers IS, Percussion Concert Coordinator, Percussion Inventory, Transportation and Logistics, Marching Band Props, Forms and Physicals, Media
Chad Solis is the Assistant Band Director/Director of Percussion for Mansfield Summit High School. Mr. Solis grew up in Lewisville, TX and graduated from Texas Christian University. During his time at TCU, he was a part of the Horned Frog Marching Band, wind ensembles, basketball band, steel band, and the award-winning Percussion Orchestra.
Before coming to Mansfield Summit High School, Mr. Solis was the Director of Percussion at John Horn High School in Mesquite, TX for three years. Under his direction, the John Horn Jaguar Drumline won several awards including 1st place in their division at both the Lewisville Drumline Invitational and the Lone Star Classic Drumline Competition in 2021.
Prior to John Horn High School, Mr. Solis was an Assistant Band Director/Director of Percussion at Castleberry High School. While at Castleberry, the band qualified for UIL State Marching Contest in 2018 and the Drumline won best percussion at two local contests. The Sub Non-Varsity band also earned Sweepstakes under his direction.
Before becoming a Percussion Director, Mr. Solis taught with several award-winning programs including Lewisville HS, Byron Nelson HS, Little Elm HS, Creekview HS, and Kaufman HS. His students have earned spots in the All-District, All-Region and All-State Bands.
In his free time, Mr. Solis enjoys playing video games and spending time with his dog, Lucy, and two cats, Disco and Ruca.
Email Mr. Solis at chadsolis@misdmail.org
Samantha Sorensen - Colorguard Director
Samantha Sorensen is a Summit High School Alum and was a member of the award-winning Summit Band. Ms. Sorensen performed with the Summit Guard for four years and served on the leadership team for two years. During her senior year, the SHS Guard traveled to Dayton, Ohio, to perform in the WGI World Finals competition. After graduation, Ms. Sorensen studied Elementary Education at The University of Texas at Arlington. In 2014, she returned to WGI World Finals as a member of Brenham Independent Winterguard, where she served as captain and earned the WGI Independent A silver medal.
Ms. Sorensen received her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Texas at Arlington and is pursuing her Doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership at Texas Christian University. Ms. Sorensen's teaching experiences include Mesquite Poteet High School, Rider High School, and Argyle High School before returning to Summit in 2016 to work with the SHS Guard.
Email Ms. Sorensen at sorensensa3@gmail.com