Mr. Timothy (TJ) Emsley is entering his first year of teaching at Timberview Middle School and his 9th year of teaching. Mr. Emsley directs the Wind Ensemble and assists with the Symphonic Band and Concert Band. Mr. Emsley is coming to Timberview from Highland Park ISD where he served as an Associate Director of Bands for Highland Park (MS and HS). While at HP, Mr. Emsley taught Symphonic Band, 6th grade Saxophone, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba classes, as well as 5th grade, Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet and General Music. While in Highland Park, Mr. Emsley also assisted with the Highlander Marching Band, and the HPHS Wind Symphony. Prior to teaching at HPISD, Mr. Emsley served as an adjunct professor of music at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Kilgore College, and Paris Junior College.
A native of Charleston, South Carolina and a product of Kingsland, Georgia, Mr. Emsley attended Camden County High School where he played percussion and piano in the Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensembles.
Mr. Emsley holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia, where he studied as a percussionist. While at VSU, he served as the drum major of the VSU Blazin’ Brigade for three years, and performed with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, VSU Wind Ensemble, VSU Percussion Ensemble, and the Blazer Steel Drum Band. Mr. Emsley also holds a Master of Music in Music Education degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. While in Commerce, he performed with the TAMUC Wind Ensemble, Concert Band (as a Clarinetist), Percussion Ensemble, and Piano Studio as well as performing with the Irving Symphonic Band.Mr. Emsley enjoys spending time in his yard making sure his plants are top-notch. He loves food whether it’s eating it or baking it–his specialty is cheesecakes! Mr. Emsley also likes to build things and do woodworking: he’s built a swing for his yard, a table, and a bookshelf among many other things. Teachers and mentors of Mr. Emsley include: John Benzer, Phil Clements, Rylon Guidry, and Cindy Lansford.
Mr. Daniel Walker is in his third year of teaching at Timberview Middle School and his fifth year of teaching. Mr. Walker directs the Symphonic Band, assists with Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, and teaches the 6th grade beginning Flute, Bassoon, Clarinet, and Saxophone classes. Prior to joining the Hawk Band, Mr. Walker served as the band director at Copper Mill Elementary School, a 5th-6th grade campus in Zachary, Louisiana. He is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and studied Music Education at Louisiana State University where he played saxophone as his primary instrument.
During his time at LSU he played tenor and alto saxophone in the Wind Ensemble; flute, clarinet, and baritone saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble; and marched in the Tiger Band as a saxophonist. Mr. Walker feels called to teach because of the impact of two teachers: his collegiate saxophone professor, Dr. Griffin Campbell, and his high school band director, Jeff Seighman.
Mr. Walker loves drinking coffee and making a positive impact on his students. Through teaching music, he hopes to help create hard-working and empathetic young adults with lifelong passions for music and the arts.
Mr. Benjamin Wood is entering is first year of teaching at Timberview Middle School and his 11th year of teaching. Mr. Wood directs the Concert Band and assists with the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Prior to joining the Hawk Band, Mr. Wood served as a Band Director at both S. H. Crowley Intermediate and Richard Allie MS in Crowley ISD. Before his time in Crowley, Mr. Wood taught for three years in Fort Worth ISD and one year in Marksville, LA.
Mr. Wood grew up in Arlington, Texas and graduated from Arlington High School. After high school, Mr. Wood attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana and earned a Bachelor’s in Music Education. While attending NSU, Mr. Wood played trumpet as his primary instrument and served as a section leader and featured soloist for the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band. He was also a member of the NSU Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, Fall Winds and Wind Ensemble.
Mr. Wood currently plays 1st trumpet in the Greater Fort Worth Community Band. He is also a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. In his spare time, Mr. Wood enjoys traveling, watching movies, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and their two dogs.
Dan Shinohara is the Percussion Director at Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Shinohara has served on the Timber Creek staff as a battery technician and private lesson teacher throughout the Timber Creek Cluster since 2019 and is excited to step into the role of Percussion Director!
Prior to his appointment in the Timber Creek cluster, Mr. Shinohara graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance. While at UMass, he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the UMass Drumline, Marimba Bands, and Percussion Studio. Mr. Shinohara was fortunate to have studied with Thom Hannum, Ian Hale, and Ayano Kataoka. Mr. Shinohara earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas. At UNT, Mr. Shinohara studied with Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, Stockton Helbing, Ed Smith, Dennis Fisher, and Dr. Nicholas Williams. He was also the section leader of the UNT Drumline and Symphonic Band as well as a performing member in the PASIC Quad Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Bands, and Gamelan Ensemble.
Mr. Shinohara’s performance resume includes four summers with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps from 2015-2018, appearances with the Boston Pops and U.S. Air Force Band and most recently, the Boston Celtics Drumline in the 2022 NBA Finals. He has also been a member of the Dallas Mavericks Drumline since 2018, where he regularly performs at home games and appearances around the DFW Metroplex.
In addition to teaching in the Timber Creek cluster, Mr. Shinohara is the Percussion Caption Head for the 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also taught with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps, and numerous high school percussion programs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Mr. Shinohara is a proud endorser of Vic Firth sticks and mallets and Zildjian Cymbals.
Timberview Middle School Hawk Band 