Mrs. Carolyn Cansler, Director of Bands
Mrs. Cansler has been the Director of Bands at Griffin Middle School since 2015, and loves being a Griffin Gator! Originally from the Chicago area, Mrs. Cansler attended Millikin University in Decatur, IL and then taught high school band for two years before moving to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Her bands at Lakeview Middle School (Lewisville ISD), Crownover Middle School (Denton ISD), and here at Griffin have earned consistent sweepstakes awards at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest, and Division I ratings from judges at other festivals.
Mrs. Cansler also served for many years on the staff of the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy, teaching conducting, marching, leadership and teaching fundamentals to high school drum majors from across the country.
Mrs. Cansler lives in Little Elm with her husband Chris, who is the Assistant Director of Fine Arts for Frisco ISD. They have two children, Haley (12th grade, bassoon) and Eric (9th grade trumpet), who are members of the Wakeland High School Band.
(469) 633-4921
CanslerCa@friscoisd.org
Mr. Greg Leutwyler, Assistant Director of Bands
Mr. Leutwyler was born in Dallas and graduated from Red Oak High School before attending Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Prior to his time at Griffin, he taught for 4 years at Vivian Field Middle School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD and before that, one year at Farmersville Junior High.
As a trumpet player Mr. Leutwyler played with the top band and jazz ensemble at SFASU and has most recently enjoyed playing in the Dallas Chamber Wind Ensemble.
In his spare time Mr. Leutwyler enjoys camping, traveling, hiking, reading, riding his bike, and spending time with his wife, Jessica (who is also a band director); dog, Duke; and cat, Sammy.
(469) 633-4920
leutwylerg@friscoisd.org
Mr. Jeff Carmona, Percussion
Jeff Carmona is a performer and educator in the North Texas Area from San Antonio, TX. Mr. Carmona joined the Wakeland High School Band staff in 2017 as a private lesson instructor. He is currently the Assistant Percussion Director for the Wakeland High School Band Cluster assisting with the marching band and helping with all areas of the percussion program for both Cobb and Griffin Middle School.
Mr. Carmona attended the University of North Texas where he studied under Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, Mark Ford, Ed Smith, and Jose Aponte. While at North Texas, he spent time in the Green Brigade marching band, the 8 o’clock and 2 o’clock steel bands, the Brazilian ensemble, the Gamelan ensemble, and the Advanced Afro-Cuban ensemble. Mr. Carmona has traveled overseas to perform with the North Texas A-line in Opole, Poland, at drum fest in 2014. He was also a member of the 2013 and 2015 North Texas Quad Ensemble earning first place at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
Mr. Carmona is currently actively involved with Drum Corps International. He completed two years of drum corp, one year with The Boston Crusaders (2012) and one with The Santa Clara Vanguard (2013). After aging out, Mr. Carmona spent the summer of 2014 as a battery technician for the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps. Since 2019, Mr. Carmona has been on the battery staff with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.
Mr. Carmona’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Percussive Arts Society.
Mr. Carmona is excited to begin his new role as the Assistant Director of Percussion for the Wakeland cluster. He currently resides in McKinney, TX.