Ms. Maggie Moncado is the Director of Bands at North Middle School and also serves as an Assistant Band Director at Joplin High School. Additionally, she is one of the Indoor Drumline Coordinators during the winter months. This is her first year in education and as part of the Joplin School District.
Ms. Moncado earned her Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education from Missouri State University. While there, she was part of many ensembles, like the PRIDE Marching Band, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Studies. Her musical journey has taken her to some cool places like San Antonio, Baton Rouge, and even Italy, where she got to perform internationally. In 2018, she had the incredible opportunity to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
Before coming to Joplin, Ms. Moncado worked with the Hollister Band Program in Hollister, MO. There, she was part of the visual and music staff for the marching band and winter winds program. The Hollister band competed at Bands of America (BOA) and Winter Guard International (WGI) events, both regionally and nationally. She also completed her student teaching in the Hollister School District and helped out with private lessons for students who went on to join district bands and even earned state-level recognition.
Her teaching philosophy is all about helping students become lifelong musicians and learners. She believes in the positive impact music can have on students, not just as musicians but as individuals, and she loves seeing them grow year after year. One of her favorite parts of teaching is working with students from grades 6 through 12 and watching them develop into skilled, confident musicians and well-rounded people.
Cheri Wright is currently the Director of Bands at East Middle School in Joplin, Missouri, and is
beginning her eleventh year in education. Her primary responsibilities include teaching beginning band, directing the middle school marching and concert band; and, assisting at Joplin High School. In November 2017, Mrs. Wright hosted Ray Chapa’s Clarinet Gymnastics Symposium, which drew 130 students and directors. In June of 2018, she co-presented a clarinet clinic at the Missouri Band Masters Association. Mrs. Wright was awarded the prestigious “Golden Apple Teacher of the Year” for grades 6-8 in 2018.
Previously, she was the Middle School Band Director, and the Assistant Band Director at the
high school for the Lake Hamilton School District in Pearcy, Arkansas.
She holds a Masters of Music Performance in Conducting from Arkansas State University; and,
a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Pittsburg State University.
She lives in Joplin, Missouri with her husband, Anthony Wright, and their daughter.
