Kelsie Dunham

Kelsie Dunham discovered her passion for music at Hebron High School, where she performed in the All-State Band and served as principal trumpet in the Hebron Wind Symphony during TMEA Honor Band and Midwest Clinic performances. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Baylor University with a degree in Music Education, receiving the Outstanding Student Teacher Award and becoming a multi-year finalist in both the solo and ensemble divisions of the National Trumpet Competition.

In 2014, Ms. Dunham marched lead trumpet with Carolina Crown, earning the Best First-Year Brass Player award. She has also worked with the Blue Stars and Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps as a brass instructor and Administrative Coordinator.

Ms. Dunham began her teaching career in Plano ISD before joining Bowman Middle School, where she taught beginner classes, founded the sixth-grade honor band, and developed systems supporting student growth and retention. She later served as Assistant Director at Wylie East High School, helping transform the marching program into a 5A UIL State Marching Band Finalist and BOA medalist program. Her concert ensembles consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes ratings and Citation of Excellence recognition.

She later served as Associate Director of Bands at Emerson High School in Frisco ISD, helping establish and grow the program from 42 students to more than 200. She led visual and movement training, brass instruction, and student leadership development. Her students consistently found success through the TMEA All-Region process and UIL Solo and Ensemble, while her ensembles earned UIL Sweepstakes ratings. In 2025, she was named Emerson High School Teacher of the Year.

Today, Ms. Dunham works as a freelance marching band clinician and trumpet instructor, bringing more than a decade of experience in music education, performance, marching arts, and program development to her work with students and ensembles.

She is also the owner of Garden Best Friend, a Dallas-based garden consulting business focused on helping homeowners create beautiful, practical gardens that thrive in the North Texas climate. Through Garden Best Friend, she provides garden design, consulting, plant selection, and ongoing support.

In her free time, she enjoys gardening, running, and spending time with her dogs, Peanut and Paprika.