Jim Palmer

Director of Bands

Jim Palmer is the Director of Bands at Cain Middle School in Rockwall, Texas. He joined the Cain program in 2021.

Mr. Palmer is beginning his twenty-fifth year of teaching and is also the TMEA Region 3 Middle School Band Coordinator.

In his time away from band directing, Mr. Palmer enjoys spending time with his wife Kasye, who is a music therapist, his son Kyle, who plays the bassoon, and their puppy Bella.

Mr. Palmer is passionate about sharing his love of music with others and cannot wait to get started working with the students and parents at Cain Middle School.

Anissa Macias

Associate Director of Bands

Anissa Macias serves as an Associate Band Director at Cain Middle School, a position she entered in 2022. At Cain, Ms. Macias directs the Symphonic Band, and team-teaches in all other band classes. In addition to the bands at Cain, Ms. Macias also teaches beginning woodwind classes at Pullen, Rochell, Springer, and Shannon Elementary Schools. Prior to her coming to Cain, Ms. Macias served as the Assistant Director at Sam Houston Middle School in Garland, TX.

While originally born in Houston, Ms. Macias grew up near her extended family in El Paso. She attended the University of North Texas, graduating Cum Laude with her degree in Music Education and a concentration in clarinet. While at UNT, Ms. Macias performed in various chamber ensembles, the UNT Clarinet Choir, and the UNT Symphonic Band under the direction of Dennis Fisher.

Ms. Macias is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, being with her friends and family, and spoiling her two dogs (Scout and Jazz).

Andrew Hearn

Associate Director of Bands

Andrew Hearn serves as an Associate Band Director at Cain Middle School. Mr. Hearn joined the Cain staff in 2022. He directs Concert Band 1 and team-teaches all other band classes at Cain. Mr. Hearn also teaches beginning brass classes at Amy Parks-Heath, Lyon, Springer, and Pullen Elementary Schools.

Mr. Hearn attended the University of North Texas, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a major in Music Education and as a member of the Honors College. Mr. Hearn performed in several ensembles while at UNT, including the Green Brigade Marching Band (where he served as a trumpet section leader), the UNT Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Williams, and various other chamber ensembles. Before joining the team at Cain, Mr. Hearn had the opportunity to serve as a student teacher for the band programs at Pioneer Heritage Middle School and Reedy High School in Frisco, TX. Mr. Hearn has also served as a marching technician at various schools in the state.

Mr. Hearn enjoys membership in the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Trumpet Guild. Outside of teaching, Mr. Hearn spends his time cooking, building lego kits, and listening to new music.

Kenneth “Rod” Kosterman

Percussion Director

Rod Kosterman began his first year as the Percussion Director at Rockwall-Heath High School in the Summer of 2016. He is also the Front Ensemble Designer and Coordinator for Vigilantes Indoor Percussion.

In 2010, Rod graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Percussion Performance from UNT and was awarded Outstanding Undergraduate in percussion. Later that year, Rod was the recipient of Indiana University’s Artistic Excellence Scholarship. He served as the department’s Graduate Assistant in 2011-12.

Rod’s composition for marimba and cello, in nebulous suspension held, won third prize in the 2010 PAS Composition Contest and is now published by Mostly Marimba. Song for Monica, a vibraphone solo, is available through Tapspace publications and is on the Ohio and Texas Prescribed Music Lists for Solo & Ensemble.

From 2011 through 2016, Rod was on the front ensemble staff for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. He also served as Education Program Director for the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble in 2015.

Rod is a proud endorser of Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Remo drum heads, as well as Mapex and Majestic marching percussion instruments.