Bailey Middle School Band Staff
Mrs. Sara McGarry
Sara McGarry is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches the beginning flute, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, euphonium, and tuba classes. Sara teaches annually at UT’s Longhorn Band Camp, and has taught private flute students who have attended Bowie High School, Anderson High School, and LBJ High School. She has also adjudicated for region and district band auditions, solo and ensemble contests, and has been a guest clinician in the Austin Area. Mrs. McGarry is an active performer in Austin. Mrs. McGarry loves to tend her vegetable garden and spend time with her husband, sons Owen and Donovan, and their adorable lab puppies: Harper and Ellie. She is also an internationally certified Ballroom dance instructor and has taught and performed actively.
Mrs. Casey Alvarado
Mrs. Alvarado has been teaching at Bailey Middle School since 2006. She currently teaches the beginning clarinet, French horn, trombone, and trumpet classes. She is also the primary director of the Wind Symphony, which is one of the advanced bands for 7th and 8th grade students. Mrs. Alvarado attended the University of Texas and received her bachelor’s degree in music education and earned a performance certificate on clarinet. She was a proud member of the Longhorn Band and the UT Wind Ensemble. She currently performs as the principle clarinetist of the Cedar Park Winds, a local community ensemble. Mrs. Alvarado is happily married to her husband, Pete, who is also a band director in a neighboring school district. She and her husband have two young boys (Benny and Jackson) and a daughter (Ellie) who keep them busy and on their toes! They also have miniature schnauzer named Max! Mrs. Alvarado loves flowers, photography, trying new restaurants, and spending quality time with her family!
Mr. Mabon Caniff
Mr. Caniff is the second assistant band director at Bailey Middle school where he conducts and teaches the Bailey MS Symphony Band, Steel Band, and beginning percussion class. He is a Music Education graduate of the University of North Texas, where he studied percussion under Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, and Paul Rennick. While at UNT, Mr. Caniff performed in a variety of ensembles some of which included: Concert Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Percussion, Advanced South Indian, 8 o’ Clock Steel Band, and the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band. During his summers, he beats the heat by traveling out of state to visit friends and family in Central Michigan. Mr. Caniff has lived in the Austin area for 10 years where he continues to play drum-set and auxiliary percussion in local bands.