HMS Directors
Josh Smith
Director of Bands
Josh Smith serves as the Director of Bands at Heritage Middle School in Colleyville, Texas where he teaches 6th-8th grade instrumental music. At Heritage Middle School, Smith leads an engaging and empowering band program through a culture of musical excellence and student leadership. Smith was previously part of the team that opened brand new campuses at Vista Ridge Middle School and Sunset Valley Elementary School in Keller ISD. Smith grew the Vista Ridge Band program from 17 students to 230 students, establishing a thriving program full of excited and active musicians from the ground up.
​
Smith has earned many awards including the Heritage Middle School Teacher of the Year and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year awards in 2022. He was awarded the Influential Teacher award from the Fort Worth Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2019. Ensembles under Smith’s direction have earned “Superior” ratings and “Best In Class” awards in Texas. Smith has also served as a music education lecturer across the state of texas, delivering clinics at the Texas Bandmasters Association Clinic, Southern Methodist University, Sam Houston State University, and Baylor University. He is an instrumental pedagogue, having articles published in major music education outlets.
Smith graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Texas where he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education with a concentration in Tuba Performance. Smith currently lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife Brandy, and his sons Wayne and Luke.
Brenda Hinton
Associate Director of Bands
Brenda Hinton is starting her 23rd year of teaching band. Ms. Hinton began her teaching career in Grand Prairie at Lee Middle School where she turned a weak band program into an award winning successful program. She taught at Truman Middle School in Grand Prairie as well. Brenda is excited to be teaching her 13th year at Heritage Middle School!
Brenda Hinton received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from The University of Texas at Arlington and her Master's Degree in performance from Texas Christian University. She is a French horn player.
In addition to teaching, Ms. Hinton has performed all over the DFW area, Shreveport, LA and Longview, TX. She has performed with Toby Keith, Three Dog Night, Herman's Hermits, Casa Manana Broadway Musicals, Fort Worth Symphony, Irving Symphony, Plano Symphony, Shreveport Symphony and Longview Symphony. She performs regularly with her brass quintet "Anthem Brass". Her quintet performed on CBS Channel 11 for the Christmas Holidays.
Ms. Hinton enjoys teaching and playing her French horn professionally.