Raphaëlle Siemers, Head Director, LHHS
Raphaëlle Siemers serves as the Director of Orchestras at Lake Highlands High School. Ms. Siemers, a Belgian violinist, earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Denver. She most recently earned a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance and a Master's in Music Education with Teacher Certification from Southern Methodist University's Meadows School of the Arts. While at SMU, Ms. Siemers studied under the tutelage of Emanuel Borok, former concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and Diane Kitzman, current Dallas Symphony Orchestra first violin principal. Ms. Siemers has taught privately for 15 years on all string instruments and piano and she is entering her 6th year in the classroom. Her groups have consistently earned sweepstakes at UIL competitions and festivals.
Ms. Siemers has a passion for working with underserved communities and positively impacting their lives through music. Ms. Siemers started her teaching career through the Dallas Symphony serving the students in Dallas ISD in their after-school program. Later, she went and taught in Denton ISD, where she successfully lead the groups to success at UIL. Ms. Siemers is excited to work with the students in the LHHS area and hopes to continue developing their love of music.
When not teaching, she enjoys spending time outside, playing board games, cooking, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Ms. Siemers is an active member of Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Orchestra Directors Association.
Raphaëlle Siemers serves as the Director of Orchestras at Lake Highlands High School. Ms. Siemers, a Belgian violinist, earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Denver. She most recently earned a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance and a Master's in Music Education with Teacher Certification from Southern Methodist University's Meadows School of the Arts. While at SMU, Ms. Siemers studied under the tutelage of Emanuel Borok, former concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and Diane Kitzman, current Dallas Symphony Orchestra first violin principal. Ms. Siemers has taught privately for 15 years on all string instruments and piano and she is entering her 6th year in the classroom. Her groups have consistently earned sweepstakes at UIL competitions and festivals.
Ms. Siemers has a passion for working with underserved communities and positively impacting their lives through music. Ms. Siemers started her teaching career through the Dallas Symphony serving the students in Dallas ISD in their after-school program. Later, she went and taught in Denton ISD, where she successfully lead the groups to success at UIL. Ms. Siemers is excited to work with the students in the LHHS area and hopes to continue developing their love of music.
When not teaching, she enjoys spending time outside, playing board games, cooking, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Ms. Siemers is an active member of Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Orchestra Directors Association.
Emily Moore, Associate Director, LHHS
Emily Moore has been teaching for thirteen years and is entering in her 14th year of teaching. She taught her first year in Dallas ISD as an orchestra director. She then taught her next three years at Irving ISD as an orchestra director, and she is currently enjoying her tenth year at Richardson ISD as the associate orchestra director at Lake Highlands High School. Mrs. Moore grew up in Atlanta, GA. She began playing the violin at the age of thirteen. She graduated high school and went to Loyola University. There she got a bachelors of Music Education and a minor in Spanish. After graduating college, Mrs. Moore went to teach English in Spain for a year. After that fun adventure, she moved to Texas to start her teaching career. Mrs. Moore has been happily married for nine years. She has one son, Daniel and three daughters, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Hannah. Mrs. Moore loves to play board games with her husband and friends. She also enjoys playing and spending as much time with her children as possible.
Emily Moore has been teaching for thirteen years and is entering in her 14th year of teaching. She taught her first year in Dallas ISD as an orchestra director. She then taught her next three years at Irving ISD as an orchestra director, and she is currently enjoying her tenth year at Richardson ISD as the associate orchestra director at Lake Highlands High School. Mrs. Moore grew up in Atlanta, GA. She began playing the violin at the age of thirteen. She graduated high school and went to Loyola University. There she got a bachelors of Music Education and a minor in Spanish. After graduating college, Mrs. Moore went to teach English in Spain for a year. After that fun adventure, she moved to Texas to start her teaching career. Mrs. Moore has been happily married for nine years. She has one son, Daniel and three daughters, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Hannah. Mrs. Moore loves to play board games with her husband and friends. She also enjoys playing and spending as much time with her children as possible.
Kara Taeger, FMJH Director
This is Ms. Taeger's 22nd year to teach orchestra. She believes orchestra is for everyone. It is a great way to learn self-discipline, meet new friends, and learn to play and appreciate all types of music. Ms. Taeger has taught in Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD and Mesquite ISD before coming to Forest Meadow in 2013.
Ms. Taeger has her Bachelors of Music Education from Baylor University. She plays the piano and the cello. Ms. Taeger is a former Forest Meadow Charger and Lake Highlands High School Wildcat. While in high school, Ms. Taeger was consistently a member of All Region Orchestra and received ratings of a 1 on her solos and ensembles. Ms. Taeger was a member of the Baylor Symphony and Baylor Opera Orchestra. Currently she is a member of the Orchestra at Park Cities and has served as principal cellist of the New Life Symphony Orchestra.
Ms. Taeger loves to read books, especially young adult books, and loves to travel. Playing her cello has allowed her to travel and perform in many different concert halls including the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Tchaikovsky Hall in Russia, and St. Giles Cathedral in Scotland. Ms. Taeger enjoys spending time with her two beautiful nieces.
This is Ms. Taeger's 22nd year to teach orchestra. She believes orchestra is for everyone. It is a great way to learn self-discipline, meet new friends, and learn to play and appreciate all types of music. Ms. Taeger has taught in Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD and Mesquite ISD before coming to Forest Meadow in 2013.
Ms. Taeger has her Bachelors of Music Education from Baylor University. She plays the piano and the cello. Ms. Taeger is a former Forest Meadow Charger and Lake Highlands High School Wildcat. While in high school, Ms. Taeger was consistently a member of All Region Orchestra and received ratings of a 1 on her solos and ensembles. Ms. Taeger was a member of the Baylor Symphony and Baylor Opera Orchestra. Currently she is a member of the Orchestra at Park Cities and has served as principal cellist of the New Life Symphony Orchestra.
Ms. Taeger loves to read books, especially young adult books, and loves to travel. Playing her cello has allowed her to travel and perform in many different concert halls including the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Tchaikovsky Hall in Russia, and St. Giles Cathedral in Scotland. Ms. Taeger enjoys spending time with her two beautiful nieces.
Caitlin Gonzalez, LHJH
Caitlin Ravkind Gonzalez is the Director of Orchestras at Lake Highlands Jr. High in Richardson, TX. She began her orchestral training on viola at the age of ten. She is a product of Martin High School, formerly under the direction of Michael Stringer. Mrs. Gonzalez earned a Bachelor of Music with Teaching Certification from the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA. She studied viola under Catherine Forbes and performed in the UT Arlington Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Clifton Evans. During her time at UT Arlington, she was principal violist and was presented with the honor of Outstanding Undergraduate Music Major.
Mrs. Gonzalez was a private instructor on various string instruments for nine years and is entering her ninth year in the classroom. Her ensembles have consistently been awarded Sweepstakes at UIL competitions and festivals. Mrs. Gonzalez spent one year at Apollo Jr. High in Richardson ISD, where she was presented with the award of Richardson ISD’s Outstanding Assistant Orchestra Director for 2016 - 2017. She then spent four years as an associate director at her alma mater, Martin High School in Arlington ISD. During her time at Martin, she had the honor of conducting the Martin High School Symphony Full Honor Orchestra at the Texas Music Educators Convention in San Antonio as well as the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. In her first year as Director of Orchestras at Lake Highlands Jr. High, the program nearly doubled and they earned their first UIL Sweepstakes in 20 years.
Mrs. Gonzalez is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Orchestra Directors Association. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, being outside, reading, and playing with her adorable dogs, Zeke and Robin.
Caitlin Ravkind Gonzalez is the Director of Orchestras at Lake Highlands Jr. High in Richardson, TX. She began her orchestral training on viola at the age of ten. She is a product of Martin High School, formerly under the direction of Michael Stringer. Mrs. Gonzalez earned a Bachelor of Music with Teaching Certification from the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA. She studied viola under Catherine Forbes and performed in the UT Arlington Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Clifton Evans. During her time at UT Arlington, she was principal violist and was presented with the honor of Outstanding Undergraduate Music Major.
Mrs. Gonzalez was a private instructor on various string instruments for nine years and is entering her ninth year in the classroom. Her ensembles have consistently been awarded Sweepstakes at UIL competitions and festivals. Mrs. Gonzalez spent one year at Apollo Jr. High in Richardson ISD, where she was presented with the award of Richardson ISD’s Outstanding Assistant Orchestra Director for 2016 - 2017. She then spent four years as an associate director at her alma mater, Martin High School in Arlington ISD. During her time at Martin, she had the honor of conducting the Martin High School Symphony Full Honor Orchestra at the Texas Music Educators Convention in San Antonio as well as the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. In her first year as Director of Orchestras at Lake Highlands Jr. High, the program nearly doubled and they earned their first UIL Sweepstakes in 20 years.
Mrs. Gonzalez is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Orchestra Directors Association. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, being outside, reading, and playing with her adorable dogs, Zeke and Robin.
