Directors

Brandon Fisher
DIRECTOR OF BANDS

Mr. Fisher is in his fourth year at McKinney High School.  He served for two years as Associate Director of Bands before becoming Director of Bands.  During his time at MHS, Mr. Fisher has earned consistent Superior Ratings at the University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluations, and has reestablished a jazz band program.  Under his leadership as Interim Director of Bands, the Royal Pride Band continued the tradition of many successful performances at contests and community events. 

Prior to this position, Mr. Fisher was the Director of Bands at Scott Middle School in Denison, Texas for four years. Under his leadership, the Scott Middle School Band program doubled in enrollment, started a Jazz Band and applied music courses, established a private lesson program, earned consistent Superior Ratings at the University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluations, and made major strides in representation in the All-Region Band. Prior to his appointment as Director of Bands, Mr. Fisher worked at B. McDaniel Intermediate School.

Mr. Fisher graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While at TAMUC, he was a euphonium player in the Wind Ensemble, President of Kappa Kappa Psi, and Drum Major of the "Pride" Marching Band for two years. In 2015, Mr. Fisher was named the Denison ISD Rookie Teacher of the Year. In 2017, he graduated with a Master of Education in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification from the University of North Texas.  

His professional affiliations include the Texas Educators Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi. Mr. Fisher is a proud Eagle Scout and is grateful for a loving and supportive family, as well as strong mentors that continue to help shape and mold him into the band director he aspires to be.

Mr. Fisher is excited to work with students, parents, staff, and the community of McKinney to move the band program forward to honor the past, embrace the present, and inspire the future.

Chris Sterling
Associate Band DIRECTOR

Chris Sterling is excited to join the McKinney High School Band Staff in 2023!

He most recently served as the Associate Band Director at North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas. At North Mesquite he conducted the Wind Symphony and helped lead the Jazz program among other duties. During his time there the Wind Symphony consistently earned sweepstakes at UIL and the Jazz Program grew to two ensembles. He also served as the primary woodwind instructor, coordinated the private lesson program, and frequently assisted at middle schools in the North Mesquite cluster.

Prior to his time at North Mesquite, Mr. Sterling served as an Assistant Band Director at Fredericksburg High School in Fredericksburg, Texas. While in Fredericksburg he led the Symphonic Band which consistently earned sweepstakes at UIL, served as the lead visual instructor for the marching band, taught AP Music Theory, and was the primary clarinet and saxophone instructor for Middle School and High School.

Mr. Sterling received his Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Oklahoma where he performed in the OU Wind Symphony and served as a section leader in the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band. He studied clarinet with Dr. Suzanne Tirk and he served as a member of the visual staff for the Marcus High School Marching Band in Flower Mound, Texas.

Mr. Sterling enjoys traveling, coffee, and being with his dog Indy.

Tyler Nechamkin
Percussion Director

Tyler Nechamkin graduated from the University of North Texas in December 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. At UNT, Mr. Nechamkin enjoyed performing with the schools many ensembles including the snare ensemble that took first place in the 2015 PASIC Small Ensemble Competition – continuing the legendary history of UNT’s dominance in marching percussion.

Mr. Nechamkin was a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015 and in 2016 when the corps won its 12th Fred Sanford High Percussion Award for best percussion performance in Drum Corps International. In 2014, Mr. Nechamkin was given the incredible opportunity to perform with the Synergy Percussion Group on a week-long tour of Italy, wrapping up with a percussion ensemble performance in Rome.

Mr. Nechamkin is excited for his fourth year with the Royal Pride Band. Before coming to McKinney, he was the Assistant Percussion Director at Wylie East High School and the Percussion Director at Bethesda Christian School. He is also an avid composer and arranger – his works can be found at tapspace.com.

Mr. Nechamkin is a member of TMEA and the Percussive Arts Society. When not teaching, Mr. Nechamkin enjoys writing music, spending time with friends and family, and endlessly re-watching The Office and Friends with his wife, Lauren, and their dog, Chloe.

Alexandria underbrink
assistant band Director

Alexandria Underbrink is the Assistant Band Director at McKinney High School. She is in her sixth year of teaching and her first year in McKinney ISD.

Mrs. Underbrink spent her first five years of band directing in Richardson ISD, serving her first four years at Berkner High School and one year at Forest Meadow Junior High. While at Berkner, she had the honor to travel with Berkner's invited groups to international ensemble performances, including PASIC 2018 and the Midwest Clinic 2019.

This past year, Mrs. Underbrink served as an administrative coordinator for the “Young Musicians” program with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Mrs. Underbrink grew up in Keller, Texas and received her Bachelors in Music Education from Oklahoma State University. She studied the Trumpet with Dr. Ryan Gardner and was involved in multiple ensembles including the Symphonic Band, numerous chamber ensembles, sang in various touring Jazz ensembles and combos, and placed third in the National Trumpet Competition - Large Ensemble Division. During her time at OSU, Mrs. Underbrink was the Drum Major of the Cowboy Marching Band, taught private lessons, and studied vocal pedagogy. Mrs. Underbrink has served as a leadership instructor since 2020, and enjoys teaching at summer leadership camps and currently plays Cornet with the Dallas Brass Band. 

Mrs. Underbrink lives in Richardson with her husband, Ben, and their dog, Khali. Mr. Underbrink is also a band director at Forney High School in Forney, Texas. When she isn’t teaching, Mrs. Underbrink enjoys yoga, rock climbing, disc golf, reading and all the coffee she can drink.