CANDY McCOMB Candy McComb recently retired from fulltime choral conducting after twenty-five years in Garland ISD (Associate Director, Sachse High School; Head Director, Austin Academy for Excellence (a Gifted and Talented Magnet School); and Jackson Middle School.) Candy currently works as the Instructional Mentor for Middle School Choirs in Garland ISD and as the Children’s Choir Coordinator for Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas. The Austin Academy A Cappella Choir was privileged to perform at two Texas Music Educators Association Conventions, along with the Garland ISD All City Boys Choir, which she co-conducted for ten years. Her choirs consistently earned Sweepstakes at UIL and were named “Best in Class” at Hurricane Harbor and Hawaiian Falls Festivals. Candy was named “Teacher of the Year” at Austin Academy and is listed in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers.” Candy also presents “Teaching with” and “Parenting with Love & Logic” workshops for schools and churches.
Mrs. McComb was born in Lubbock, and attended Texas Tech University on a voice scholarship, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Candy also has a Master’s of Education degree from University of North Texas. She is a member of TCDA, ACDA, TMAA and TMEA and serves as a clinician and adjudicator around the state. Candy is active in the music and young adult ministries of her church. She is married to her favorite lawyer, Vic Henry. They have two sons, Taylor and Lee Henry, a wonderful daughter-in-law, Rachel, and a fuzzy dog, Scout. They are all musical. CHERYL WILSON Cheryl Wilson has spent 37 years of teaching at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. She has spent the last 24 years at Garland High School and has recently retired after 18 years at her present position as the Director of Choirs. During her tenure, the A cappella Choir and the A cappella Women have been names a TMEA Invited Choir on four occasions along with her A Cappella Choir from Lyles Middle School, also in the Garland Independent School District. In July of 2015, the Texas Choral Directors Association presented Ms. Wilson with the Texas Choral Excellence Award. This award recognizes her contributions to music education, mentorship, inspiration to colleagues and students, and advocacy for the future of choral singing. Ms. Wilson is a frequent clinician and adjudicator with professional affiliations including TMEA, TCDA, and ACDA. She presently serves as the Texas Music Adjudicators’ Association (TMAA) Vocal Vice President.
SANDY SHELLEY Sandy Shelley taught middle school choirs for over 30 years. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree at Texas State University in San Marcos and her Master of Music Education at the University of North Texas in Denton. Sandy’s choirs won many awards at UIL Contest, Hurricane Harbor Choral Competition, and Hawaiian Falls Choral Competition. Her groups were invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association convention in 2002 and 2006. Sandy retired from public school teaching in 2017.
Sandy has served Region 3 as middle school Vocal Division secretary and chairman. She was honored to have been chosen for Mesquite ISD’s Apple Corps for outstanding teachers. She is active as a clinician, adjudicator, and accompanist, and is a member of TMEA, TCDA, and TMAA. Sandy is also busy at her church where she accompanies the adult choir, directs the youth choir, plays handbells, and assists her husband, Don Shelley, who is the Director of Music. They have two grown children and three grandchildren (who are the smartest, most talented, beautiful grandchildren in the world!).
