Ryan Gaughan
Ryan Gaughan is an educator known for building high-impact, student-centered band programs and sustainable systems for music education. He has served as Director of Bands at Faubion Middle School since 2019. Prior to joining McKinney ISD, he began his career as Assistant Band Director at Keller Middle School in 2011.
Mr. Gaughan earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Texas Christian University, where he studied music education with Bobby Francis and clarinet with Gary Whitman and Victoria Luperi. He later earned a Master of Music Education degree from Southern Methodist University in 2019, where his mentors included Lynne Jackson, Brian Merrill, and Frank Troyka. His work reflects a commitment to thoughtful instructional design, student-centered teaching, and long-term program sustainability, informed by professional training in neuroscience-informed instruction (NASOT) and multi-tiered systems of support through Solution Tree’s RTI Institute.
He leads and designs a vertically aligned middle school band program serving more than 325 students in grades six through eight. Mr. Gaughan conducts the Honors Band, assists with the Symphonic and Concert Bands, and teaches beginning band. Under his leadership, the Faubion Honors Band has earned unanimous first-division ratings at the Texas UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, was named a Texas Honor Band State Finalist, placed 7th in the 2025 TMEA CCC competition, and has been named a National Winner by the Foundation for Music Education on multiple occasions.
A recognized leader in the profession, Mr. Gaughan has presented clinics at The Midwest Clinic, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Conn-Selmer Education Summit. He currently serves as the elected Chair of the TMEA Region 24 Middle School Band, a leadership role he has held for four years, overseeing regional audition procedures, clinician coordination, and policy decisions in one of the state’s largest regions.
Mr. Gaughan is the founder of the McKinney Music Festival, organizes districtwide initiatives such as McKinney Band Night, and serves as President of McKinney Band Camp, a 501(c)(3) committed to providing meaningful summer music performance experiences for students.
Mr. Gaughan loves teaching and considers himself to be a lifelong learner. He is grateful to his mentors, colleagues, and students because they continue to teach him. He draws on his passion for music, authentic connection, humor, and high expectations to motivate his students. Mr. Gaughan lives in Richardson, Texas, and is honored to have a loving family, many great mentors, band directors, and close friends who have influenced his life thus far.
Josh Stephenson
Josh Stephenson is originally from Round Rock, Texas. He began playing French Horn in middle school and it took him all the way to Stephen F. Austin State University where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree. While there, he performed in numerous ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Lumberjack Marching Band, and the Roarin’ Buzzsaw Basketball Band. He was also a member of the 2013 Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps horn line where he played mellophone. He has been able to travel across the nation performing music, including NCAA basketball tournaments and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Before teaching in McKinney, Mr. Stephenson taught 3 years in Mesquite, Texas. During his time there he was able to help the marching band earn their first appearance at the state marching contest, and the middle school non-varsity band earned their first sweepstakes award in 11 years. Mr. Stephenson has been at Faubion Middle School since 2019. He teaches beginner french horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. He is the lead teacher for the Symphonic band and assists with the Honors band and Concert band. He and Mrs. Alsaffar co-teach the jazz band that they started in 2024.
Mr. Stephenson is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda music honors fraternity. He lives in McKinney with his wife Aly Stephenson and rescue dog Maddie. He has a son named Milo and loves to be outside playing disc golf, inside doing puzzles, or with friends playing board games. He is thankful for the opportunity to positively impact lives everyday through music!
Taylor Alsaffar
Taylor Alsaffar is a native of Carrollton, Texas, where she graduated from Hebron High School. During her high school career, she performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic twice as a member of the Hebron Clarinet Choir and Hebron Wind Symphony. She also served as drum major for two years, and was in the first Hebron Band to ever march at BOA Grand Nationals in Indianapolis. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. During her time at TCU, she performed with the TCU Wind Symphony on Bb and Eb clarinet, served as drum major of the Horned Frog Marching Band, served as Vice President of Kappa Kappa Psi Gamma Sigma, and served as President of TCU’s Music Educators Organization.
Prior to teaching at Faubion Middle School, Mrs. Alsaffar spent one year teaching at McKinney High School, where she taught the Concert Band, assisted with the Royal Pride Marching Band, and taught beginner saxophone at Evans Middle School. At Faubion, Mrs. Alsaffar teaches beginner oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone. She also teaches the Concert Band and assists with the Honors Band and Symphonic Band. She also co-teaches the Jazz Band with Mr. Stephenson. Mrs. Alsaffar has been at Faubion since 2022.
Mrs. Alsaffar’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Kappa Kappa Psi. She has presented at the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic and Convention. Mrs. Alsaffar currently lives in Frisco, TX with her husband and their rescue dog, Slinky. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, crafting, and spending time outdoors. She is very excited to be at Faubion with such amazing students and staff!
John Scharf
John Scharf holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Michigan State University. He previously served as Percussion Director at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio, where he helped lead the Percussion Ensemble to four consecutive Bands of America Grand National Finals appearances. He also prepared the Wind Symphony for prestigious performances at the 2022 Midwest Clinic and the 2025 Music for All National Concert Band Festival.
Mr. Scharf is actively involved in the marching arts, currently serving as Battery Coordinator for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He also served as Ensemble Manager for Matrix Open from 2020–2024. His instructional experience includes working with the Phantom Regiment (2019–2022), along with numerous high school marching bands throughout the Midwest. As a performer, Mr. Scharf was a member of NorthCoast Academy (2014–2015), Matrix Performing Arts (2017–2018), and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (2017).
Mr. Scharf is excited to join the supportive and dedicated community of the Faubion Band and looks forward to contributing to its proud legacy. He proudly endorses Innovative Percussion and the Avedis Zildjian Company.