09/19/2026
This week is National Arts in Education Week. 🎭🎨🎶🎤🩰🎻
This nationwide campaign is a chance for us to celebrate and recognize how the arts inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical life skills. Here at , we have abundant opportunities for students to thrive in our visual and performing arts programs. Today we recognize our band directors and program!
Lia LaFollette (New Boston,TX)
Ms. LaFollette majored in Music Education at Henderson State University. She has been teaching for over 20 years and loves the fact that a class she chose when she was 11 years old would have such a life changing impact. The doors that have been opened, the experiences, and people she has met from that one choice have been life altering. She hopes to provide the same love of music and outlets for her students. Ms. LaFollette believes music can change the trajectory of lives and enrich a person's soul.
Buck Womack, a native of Hot Springs, received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Henderson State University, and two Master of Music degrees from Ohio University with concentrations in Horn Performance and Brass Pedagogy.
He has taught in Arkansas public schools since 2012, and has been on faculty in the Hot Springs School District since 2017. He currently conducts the Trojan Wind Symphony; under his direction the ensemble has received Superior Ratings at Region and State level competitions. Students also regularly place in Region Ensembles, and receive Superior ratings at Regional and State Solo competitions. Before coming to the Hot Springs School District he taught in the Helena-West Helena School District, Stuttgart Public Schools, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and The Ohio University. Professionally he has performed in the Horn sections of the Willimantic Philharmonic (CT) and West Hartford Symphony (CT). As a graduate from the Hot Springs School District he is excited and honored to be part of a growing program with a high level of achievement.
Darren Cooper is in his 15th year as a music educator and in his 6th year as a Band Director for the Hot Springs School District. Mr. Cooper is from Malvern, Arkansas, and was raised in a very musically gifted family. Although band is not how he was first introduced to the world of practice and performance, band at Malvern High School is where he found his sense of belonging. After high school, Mr.Cooper attended Henderson State University. While at Henderson, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and decided that teaching band is how he would ensure his passion for music would thrive in musicians who are just beginning their musical journeys!
Mr. Cooper spent the first 9 years of his career teaching elementary music, choir and band at a small school in Southwest Arkansas. During that time, many of his students earned chairs in All-Region Bands, Arkansas Small Band Association Honor Bands, auditioned for State Concert Bands, earned Superior ratings at Solo and Ensemble, and Superior ratings at Concert and Marching Band Assessments. Mr. Cooper spent those years working alone as the secondary music teacher for the district and even though he enjoyed the job, he was eager to work with a team of directors who were excited about teaching band. The Hot Springs School District granted that wish and gave him a sense of Trojan Pride he has no plans to live without!
💛Go Band! Go Trojans!🖤
