Mike Bartley is in his sixth year as Director of Bands/Fine Arts for Canton Independent School District.  Previously, he served five years as Associate Band Director for Canton ISD.  Mr. Bartley is a 1993 High Honors graduate of the University of Arkansas and is in his 27th year of teaching.  He has held teaching positions in Owasso, Oklahoma, Alma, Arkansas, and Spearman, Texas.  Immediately prior to coming to Canton, Mr. Bartley held a position as assistant band director in Wills Point where he served as percussion instructor, seventh grade band director, and director of the high school concert band.  During the time that he assisted in Wills Point, the program grew and became competitive at UIL Region, Area, and State levels, attending the Texas AAA state marching competition three times and winning the silver medal in 2006.  While Mr. Bartley assisted at Canton, the band attended the AAA state marching competition twice, finishing 5th place in 2010 and 4th place in 2012.  Under Mr. Bartley's direction, the Canton Band competed in the Texas AAAA state marching competition, finishing in 6th place in 2014, 12th place in 2016, and 1st place in 2018, winning the gold medal.  Bands under Mr. Bartley's direction have consistently received sweepstakes awards throughout his career.  Mr. Bartley's bands have also competed in the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series, having recordings move to the Area level, as well as being a State Finalist.  In addition to his duties at Canton ISD, Mr. Bartley also serves as the ATSSB Region 3 Coordinator, ATSSB Area North Coordinator, and  ATSSB Immediate Past-President, as well as having served as the ATSSB AAA State Representative from 2012-2014.  He is an active adjudicator in Texas and serves on the faculty of the University of Arkansas Summer Music Camp.  Mr. Bartley is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Association of Texas Small School Bands, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Pi Kappa Lambda.  Mr. Bartley and his wife, Jenny, a music educator in Grand Saline ISD, have two sons.  Daniel, age 18, is a senior at Canton High School who plays euphonium, and Matthew, age 14, is a freshman at Canton High School who plays percussion.

Kara Wallace began her teaching career in 2004 at Rockwall ISD.  In 2005, she became the Director of Bands at the Herman Utley Freshman Center.  From 2006 to 2016, she was the Associate Band Director at Rockwall High School.  While working in Rockwall ISD, she was able to work alongside and learn from master teachers; such as, Mike McGill, John Mays, Steve Sauerwein and Alycia Bingaman.  Mrs. Wallace had the privilege to conduct the Rockwall Community Band in 2009, as well as perform with them in previous seasons.  Mrs. Wallace served 4 years as the Jazz Chair for Region 3, from 2012-2016.  From 2016 to 2018, Mrs. Wallace had the opportunity to team teach in Forney ISD at North Forney High School with Michael Kilgore, Jim Gist, Kristin May and Megan Garza.  Currently, Kara Wallace is the Director of Bands at Commerce High School in Commerce, Texas.  Where she enjoys educating her students, teaching her bands, engaging with the community, and creating the love of music for her students.  Commerce High School ensembles include, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Cats, Color Guard and the Roaring Tiger Marching Band.  Mrs. Wallace has been a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for many groups, including Garland ISD, Dallas ISD, Northwest ISD, many Association of Texas Small School Bands and Texas Private School Association.

Kara Wallace is a proud member of the Board of Trustees for the Dallas Winds, America’s Premier Wind Band.  She is an active member on the Education Committee.  She assists with the Dallas Winds Summer Band Camp for Dallas ISD, the Windband Festival at the Meyerson and the Dallas Honors Band for Dallas ISD students.

Mrs. Wallace received her Bachelors of Music Education from Texas A&M University – Commerce in 2004.  Mrs. Wallace is affiliated with Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi and Mu Phi Epsilon. 

Mrs. Wallace lives in Union Valley, Texas with her family, husband Jason Wallace and daughter Grace.  Jason Wallace is the Director of Bands at Commerce Middle School in Commerce ISD.  Jason Wallace is a professional tuba player in the DFW area, and sits as Principal Tuba in ensembles such as the Dallas Wind and the Lewisville Symphony Orchestra.