Fine Arts

Director of Fine Arts – Brett Farr

Brett Farr graduated from Texas Tech University with both a Bachelors and Masters of Music Education. Mr. Farr has been in the field of education, serving both as teacher and administrator since 1985. After beginning his career in Lamesa, Texas, Mr. Farr began a long tenure as Director of Choral Activities at Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas. During his 19 years at Coronado, his choirs received the UIL Sweepstakes award every year. Additionally, the Coronado Choirs performed three times at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention as well as a performance for the Southwestern Division of the American Choral Directors Association and a performance at the National Convention for the American Choral Directors Association. Mr. Farr has been named Who’s Who of American Teachers and has received the PTA Honorary Life Membership award. In 2011, Mr. Farr received the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award from the state of Texas. In addition to his teaching career, Mr. Farr served as an assistant principal in the Lubbock public schools for four years. Having been Director of Fine Arts in CFB since 2012, Mr. Farr is excited about the direction of the Fine Arts department. He believes our main focus should be on equipping students for success in the Fine Arts by providing a highly trained and gifted staff committed to excellence and high expectations.

Email
Phone: 972.968.5690

Coordinator of Fine Arts – Dawn Valentine

Dawn Valentine earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from University of Texas at Arlington. She received a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Theatre Arts from Texas Woman’s University, graduating cum laude. Dawn performed professionally in the Galveston Island Outdoor Musicals and Elledanceworks Dance Company. She taught dance at Collin County Community College from 1992-1999. Dawn received the Josh Award at Denton Community Theatre for outstanding choreography in Guys and Dolls in 1999. Dawn spent her first year in education at Blalack Middle School teaching Theatre Arts. In 1994 she became the Artistic Director of The Dance Gallery at Newman Smith High School. One year later she founded the nationally recognized dance company, Gallery in Motion. At Newman Smith High School Dawn served as the musical coordinator and Fine Arts Department Chair. She presented at the opening ceremonies for the CEDFA (Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts) Fine Arts Summit in 2006. Over the next several years she presented at CEDFA and the Texas Dance Educators Association (TDEA). In 2009 she was nominated for the Larry White Dance Educator of the year award by the Dance Council of North Texas. In 2011 Dawn was selected by the Texas Education Agency to write lesson plans incorporating Dance and Math curriculum. In 2013 she was the recipient of the Very Important Profession of Teaching (VIP) award at Newman Smith High School. She also received the Best Choreography Award presented by the Dallas Summer Musicals for How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying in 2013. Dawn presents staff developments and workshops throughout the state of Texas.

Email
Phone: 972.968.5689

Fine Arts Secretary – Pam Iapalucci

Pam Iapalucci started her career with Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD as a parent volunteer in 1989, serving on PTA Boards and Booster Clubs, receiving the PTA Life Membership and the PTA Extended Service Award for her years of service. In 2003 Pam began working as an ESL Aide at Furneaux Elementary. After 5 years on campus, she moved to the Fine Arts Department as Clerk and assumed the Secretary position in 2013. Pam’s duties include tracking budgets for the Fine Arts Department, and multiple budgets for the areas of Band, Choir, Orchestra, Dance, Drill, Theatre, Secondary Art, Elementary Art and Music at all campuses. She also works with the district Purchasing and Business Departments during the year and through procurement of Capital Outlay. Pam’s office duties include aiding Brett Farr in various projects throughout the year and she was honored in 2014 with the MVP award from the district. Pam looks forward to each new year working with our wonderful Fine Arts Staff.

Email
Phone: 972.968.5685

Fine Arts Clerk – Reyna Vieyra

Reyna Vieyra is a CFBISD alumni, having graduated Newman Smith in 2016. Her career with CFB began in 2017 as an After the Bell Aide at McWhorter Elementary. In 2018 she also began working as an ABC assistant at Furneaux Elementary for two years before becoming a clerk. She currently holds an associate of arts and is continuing to work on her bachelors in early childhood education. She plans to get a certification in special education. She hopes to one day become a CFBISD teacher.

Email
972.968.5680

Private Lessons Forms

Instructions:

• Returning private lesson teachers only need to fill out the application, criminal history form and insurance if you are planning to obtain it.
• New private lesson teachers please follow the list below.
• Fill out criminal history form and return to the Fine Arts office either in person or scanned back as an attachment.
• Insurance is strongly recommended but not required by the district. We have provided you with 2 insurance options.
• Fingerprinting Fast Pass – print form, follow directions, and return signed form to the Fine Arts office either in person or scanned back as an attachment when complete.
• TB Form – print form, follow directions, and return signed form to the Fine Arts office either in person or scanned back as an attachment when results are complete. (You may send us the signed results if you have already completed a TB test within the past year).
• Read Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, and other forms of Prohibited Conduct.
• Complete application and submit.

  • Application for Private Lessons

  • Insurance option 1

  • Insurance option 2

  • Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Form

  • CFBISD TB Test Info

  • CFBISD Fingerprinting

  • Criminal History Form