Born in Arlington, Texas, began studying the cello privately at a young age of five. He continued his music studies throughout high school participating in Orchestra as well as playing percussion in numerous ensembles. After graduating from high school, Coatney pursued his music career at Northwestern State University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in music education. In 2003, Coatney earned a Masters in Orchestral Conducting at James Madison University where he had the opportunity to study with Dr. Robert McCashin.

Mr. Coatney joined the Klein High School fine arts program in 2003 as the assistant Orchestra Director as well as conducted the Houston Youth Symphony Sinfonietta Orchestra. Mr. Coatney joined the Plano Senior High School fine arts team in 2007 as the Director of Orchestral Studies. During his tenure, the Plano Senior Orchestra continued its long tradition of success earning multiple Sweepstakes awards at UIL, Best in Class awards at national music competitions, and performed at the prestigious Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. The Plano Senior High Symphony Orchestra was chosen as the Honor Full Orchestra three times under Coatney’s direction in 2008, 2011 and most recently, 2014. In 2020, Coatney joined the Wylie ISD fine arts team as the director of orchestras at Wylie High School. The program has only been in existence for three years and Coatney is excited about the program growing and accomplishing performances that inspire audiences. Coatney was recognized in 2008 with the TexASTA Marjorie Keller Young Teacher of the Year award. He is a proud member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Mu Omicron, and the professional music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha.

James Gaskin studied composition with Dr. Robert X. Rodriguez and violin with William Scobie of the Dallas Symphony. Founder and conductor of the Lakewood Chamber Orchestra and founder and violinist in the First Desk Quartet, both in Dallas. Compositions have been performed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Irving Symphony Orchestra, University of North Texas Chamber Orchestra, and the SMU Percussion Ensemble. As a violinist, James has performed with the Irving Symphony Orchestra, Mesquite Symphony, the Mansfield Philharmonic, the James Davis Jazz Orchestra, and was the founding concertmaster in the Dallas Unity String Orchestra. With his electric violin, he composes and performs with MicrocosmProject and Dallas Digital Creative.

Kevin Fowler was first elected to the Rockwall City Council in 2015 and then reelected in 2017 and 2019. He served as Mayor Pro-Tem from 2018-2019 and again from 2020-2021. He was elected Mayor in 2021. Kevin has lived in Rockwall since 2000 where he has been active in the Rockwall community serving in leadership roles on a number of boards and city appointed commissions, including the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation, Building Better Roads Bond Committee, Rockwall Business and Education Committee, the Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rockwall Rotary Club, Lake Pointe Hospital, the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, Rockwall Youth Fair and CASA.

He has been in the banking industry 30 years and is currently the Senior Vice President of Independent Financial in Rockwall. His education includes a B.S. in Finance from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA and he is a graduate of Southern Methodist University’s Southwestern Graduate School of Banking. Kevin is a member of First Baptist Church of Rockwall. He is married to Amanda and has 4 children, (Jake, Davis, Grace and Dawson) and a granddaughter, Ryder.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Mr. Worsdale attended public schools, the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division, and received his formal music training as a trombone student of David Finlayson (New York Philharmonic). He is a conducting protégé of the late Maestro Jonathan Strasser (former faculty of Manhattan School of Music) and has continued his professional studies working with Larry Livingston (on faculty of University of Southern California) and Anthony Maiello (on faculty of George Mason University). He had recently returned to the Manhattan School of Music as conductor of the Pre-College Division Symphony Orchestra.

His work as a guest clinician and adjudicator has brought him to cities throughout the United States. He has conducted Texas’ Region 23 Orchestra, The Southeastern Regional Orchestra for the State of Virginia and many other honor bands and orchestras. He is a senior teaching artist and consultant for The New York Pops and helps run their Kids on Stage program.

Having appeared on the podiums of the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, The Williamsburg Consort (VA), The Westchester Symphonic Winds, The Brooklyn Wind Symphony, The Kilkenny Youth Orchestra (Ireland), and the Royal Spa Brass Band (UK), he is in active demand as a guest conductor and clinician, frequently working with middle school and high school programs across the country. He is a champion of new music and young artists, having commissioned works for both wind ensembles and orchestras, including many new works from composer Michael Markowski.

Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Worsdale’s commitment to education shines brightest through his entrepreneurial efforts to build stronger wind band programs in New York City. The award-winning “InterSchool Orchestra of New York” Symphonic Band, which is one of the only private youth wind ensembles in the Metropolitan New York area, is an ensemble he began more than two decades ago. Last season, he served as Music Director and Conductor of the ISO organization and led the Symphony Orchestra. He also was conductor of the Grand Street Community Band. Mr. Worsdale conducts YPO and runs the Apprentice Conducting Program.

Alicia Vega is the President and Chief Communications Officer of Rockwall Capital Group. She has been a successful entrepreneur, professional model, life coach, and held a variety of key contributor roles in business and philanthropic organizations. She is passionate about giving back to the community and thrives at helping others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Rhode Island and resides in Heath, Texas.

Eileen MacNaughton comes from a musical family, and in fact has passed this love of music down to her three daughters. She and her daughters have performed at several GRYS performances.

Eileen has helped recruit, organize and coach events, including the Scare of the Square performance in downtown Rockwall in 2022.

Eileen is a multi-faceted musician and educator. She is the Assistant Orchestra Director of North Mesquite High School as well as a skilled violinist and a dedicated educator. Eileen generously volunteers her time to support GRYS and our community. She also provides chamber music coaching and is a part of the GRYS Parent’s Association.

Eileen received her musical training from the University of Missouri-Kansas City as well as the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She brings a wealth of knowledge, musical skill and a warm smile everywhere she goes.

Eve has worked in the healthcare field since obtaining her MBA in 1987. She began her work in senior services as a Director of Sales and Marketing for a large, 400 bed full-service retirement community, and advanced her career through the Regional and National level, culminating as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. She then switched to Operations, and successfully ran several Assisted Living and Memory Care communities within California. Eve has expertise with all levels of free-standing senior care including independent, assisted, dementia-related care and skilled nursing care facilities, as well as with Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

Eve is also an avid musician, playing first violin with her string quartet, Zene Strings. In addition to a heavy performance schedule, she creates string quartet arrangements of pop songs.

A. R. “Art” Roberts is a retired business Executive, after ten years at Collins Radio, and 25 years at MCI. He worked as a Field Engineer, Project Engineer, and Group Manager at Collins, moving to MCI in 1972. He was responsible for the MCI Engineering and Construction Departments from 1975 to 1990, managing the planning and implementation of MCI’s Microwave and Fiber Optic Systems. He was a Vice President at MCI for 18 years. Later responsibilities included Corporate Real Estate, Network Technical Support, Equipment Engineering, and the Equipment Evaluation Laboratory.

Art is one of the Founding Chairs of the Richardson Metroplex Technology Business Council’s Third Friday Technical Luncheon, and served as one of the chairs of the Committee for ten years. He was a member of the Leadership Richardson Advisory Board for six years, and served as Leadership Richardson Curriculum Advisor for two years and Curriculum Chairman for five years.