Our Mission
Renaissance Winds exists to unite adult musicians from across Northeast Dallas in a shared love of music. Through rehearsals, performances, and fellowship, we create opportunities for lifelong musicianship while enriching the communities we call home.
Our Board
Denise Guilbert
President
Glenn Lambert
Vice-President
Kaylee Smith
Secretary
TBA
Treasurer
Phil Alvarado, Artistic Director & Conductor
After a 31-year career as a Texas music educator, Mr. Alvarado retired as Director of Bands and Fine Arts Coordinator at Lake Highlands High School in Richardson ISD.Throughout his career, Mr. Alvarado served music programs in El Paso, Plano, Garland, and Richardson ISDs. Most notably, during his tenure at Rowlett High School, he developed an award-winning band program recognized for excellence at the local, state, and national levels. His marching and concert bands were consistent UIL Sweepstakes Award recipients, Area finalists, and earned six appearances at the Texas UIL State Marching Contest. The Rowlett High School Wind Ensemble was also selected twice as a TMEA Honor Band finalist, placing among the top five ensembles on both occasions.Mr. Alvarado's jazz ensembles earned widespread recognition for their outstanding musical performances, including invited appearances at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and the International Association of Jazz Education Conference. The Rowlett High School Brass Quintet was also selected as an invited performing ensemble at the 2007 Midwest Clinic.In 2015, the Rowlett Band program was honored with the Exemplary Band Award by the Texas Bandmasters Association, recognizing the program's sustained commitment to musical excellence and educational achievement.Mr. Alvarado currently serves as Instrumental Music Consultant for Garland ISD and remains active throughout Texas as a clinician and adjudicator. He is passionate about providing meaningful musical experiences for performers of all ages and continues to advocate for excellence in music education and performance.He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music Education degree from East Texas A&M University. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Phi Beta Mu.In March 2024, Mr. Alvarado was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association in Washington, D.C. He considers the honor a reflection of the many students, colleagues, and friends who have been part of his career in music education.
James Hannah, Artistic Director & Conductor
James Hannah served as Director of Bands at Plano West Senior High School from its opening in 1999 through June 2018. A native Mississippian, he attended undergraduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi and graduate school at Southern Methodist University.Under Mr. Hannah, the Plano West Band grew from 46 to 230 students and consistently earned first-division and Sweepstakes ratings at Texas UIL. The Wind Ensemble received numerous regional and national honors, including fourth runner-up for the 2016 Texas 6A Honor Band and a 2016 National Wind Band Winner recognition from The Foundation for Music Education.Mr. Hannah co-conducted the Plano West Full Symphony Orchestra, which consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes ratings and regional and national honors. The orchestra performed at the 2002 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and was named the 2017 TMEA Honor Orchestra.In 2011, the Plano West Music Department received a Grammy Gold Award for Excellence in Music Education.Before Plano West, Mr. Hannah was Assistant Band Director at Plano Senior High School from 1994–1998, where his concert bands earned consistent UIL Sweepstakes awards and his jazz bands received numerous ensemble and student honors. The jazz band performed for Grammy-winning artists including Wynton Marsalis, The Yellowjackets, Take Six, and Spyro Gyra.James Hannah professional memberships include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Mississippi Music Educators Association, Music Educators Association Conference, Phi Beta Kappa, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the Richland Archaeological Society, and the Richland Ballet Dance Theatre Company.Mr. Hannah’s arts training spans conducting, trombone, voice, and dance, with study under Dr. Joe Barry Mullins, Dr. Kate Tamarkan, Dr. Jack Delaney, Larry Weed, Marta Hofarce, John Kitzman, Virginia Dupuy, Sally Johnson, Lilly Cabatu-Weiss, Marilyn Dewey, Sherry Mallard, and Peter Kentes. He is a former member of the Richland Dance Theatre.Hannah’s honors include Outstanding Young Men of America (1986), Naaman Forest High School Teacher of the Year (1994), Garland ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year (1994), Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (1994,1998, 2002, 2004-2007), and PTA Lifetime Membership (2016).James Hannah’s hobbies include travel, Tai chi, yoga, dance, archaeology, and cycling.