Directors

Linda Keefer has been the Director of Orchestra at Arlington High School since 1976. During that time, the orchestra program has grown from a group of 11 strings students to a program with over 275 members and 6 orchestras. The AHS Symphony Orchestra has received Sweepstakes at UIL since 1979. Ms. Keefer received a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Arts in Music Education from West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. She was one of the original four strings teachers hired by Dean Corey in 1972 to help found the AISD Orchestra program. During the past 39 years, she has taught at numerous elementary and junior high schools in Arlington as well as directed both the Martin and Lamar High School Orchestras in addition to the AHS Orchestras. She is a PTA Life member at AHS and was first runner-up for the 1996-1997 AISD "Aware Foundation" high school teacher of the year. Ms. Keefer was honored in 1998 by being selected by the faculty as Arlington High School's "Teacher of the Year." In 1999, the University of Texas Alumni Association recognized Ms. Keefer as one of the ten recipients statewide of the Texas Exes for Excellence Awards in education. Linda is a member of Texas Music Educators' Association and MU OMICRON honorary orchestra fraternity. Ms. Keefer's children are both former members of the AHS Symphony. Nathan, class of 1998, is a graduate of UTA and is currently the assistant orchestra director at Martin HS. He also teaches private cello lesson and performs with the popular cello quartet "The 440 Alliance." Trisha, class of 2000, is a graduate of Texas A&M. She lives in Austin and is the manager of Austin Strings Shop. Trisha also teaches violin/fiddle lessons and is very active in the "live music scene" in Austin.

Toby Jones has been the Assistant Director of Orchestras at Arlington High School since 2003. Since that time, the AHS Orchestra program has grown from 206 students to over 275 students. He graduated from Texas Christian University in May of 2000 and is also a graduate of Arlington High School. Mr. Jones began teaching in the Arlington Independent School District in August 2000 as the Assistant Director of Orchestras at Young Junior High School. Prior to receiving his degree, he held the principal trumpet positions in the TCU Symphony, Wind Symphony, and lead trumpet in the TCU Jazz Band. Mr. Jones is still very active with trumpet performance, playing at weddings, services and other various venues. Mr. Jones and his family are Lifetime Orchestra Booster Club Members. Just this past year, Mr. Jones was one of three selected along with Ms. Young to receive an Honorary Lifetime PTA Membership, one of the highest honors one can receive from the association. Mr. Jones has a wonderful wife, Rachel, and a beautiful daughter, Grace.

Jeff Harvick is Assistant Director of Orchestras at AHS, where he directs the Concert and Philharmonia orchestras. Mr. Harvick attended the University of North Texas, graduating summa cum laude with Bachelor’s degrees in Instrumental Performance and Music Education, where he studied cello with Eugene Osadchy and string education with Karrell Johnson. In 2005 he was awarded the TMEA Past-Presidents Memorial Scholarship for music education. Prior to coming to AHS, Mr. Harvick played in the University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra and was a member of the chamber music program. In the summers, Jeff teaches at UTA Summer Strings camp and the Texas Cello Academy. He is a product of the AHS cluster; his former teachers include Laura Garrett at Duff Elementary, Amanda Musser at Bailey Junior High, and Linda Keefer at AHS. He is an active private teacher and freelance musician in the DFW area. When he is not performing or teaching, Jeff enjoys playing ice hockey for the Arlington Ice Cats, cycling, and billiards.