The mission of the Centennial High School Orchestra is to create a learning environment of trust and teamwork which motivates all members to develop their potential while creating musical performances of the highest caliber to share with their school and community audiences. Over the past few years, the program has steadily grown in size to now include 200+ of our students at Centennial! Much of what this program does would not be possible without the help of our directors, private lesson teachers, booster club, and student officers!
Meet the Directors
Ms. Devan Bell
Director of Orchestras
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Mrs. Devan Bell has been the Director of Orchestras at Centennial High School since 2019. Mrs. Bell served as the Associate Director at Centennial High School in 2018 and the Associate Orchestra Director at Huffines Middle School and Lewisville High School from 2016 to 2018.
Born and raised in Arlington, Texas, Ms. Bell began her study of music at age ten with the cello. She continued her study of music in college, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the Hurley School of Music at Centenary College of Louisiana. Mrs. Bell’s passion for music education led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Music and Human Learning from the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin. During this time, she also began her study of the Suzuki method with training in Suzuki in the Schools and Suzuki Cello, Books 1-4. Mrs. Bell has enjoyed teaching elementary, middle, and high school students as well as maintaining a private lesson studio. While in Austin, she taught second through fifth-grade strings as a part of the University of Texas String Project and designed and inaugurated a pilot after-school string program for sixth through twelfth graders at Brentwood Christian School. At Lewisville HS and Huffines MS, she launched a private lesson mentor program for HS students to teach and support MS students. Mrs. Bell’s passion is serving the music education community. She serves as the Region 24 Orchestra Division Secretary and has organized ensembles for both the Region and All-State Orchestras. At the district level, she serves as the Frisco ISD Orchestra Division Lead, supporting all FISD Orchestra directors in achieving curricular goals and promoting their professional development. At Centennial HS, she sponsors the Tri-M Music Honor Society Club, which exists to facilitate interaction between the different music programs while encouraging participation in music and servant leadership within the community. In her community, Mrs. Bell performs with local theaters, churches, and various chamber groups with friends. Mrs. Bell loves yoga, video games, plants, and spending time with her husband Joseph and her two cats Abi and Aria. |
Mr. Eric Maine
Associate Director of Orchestras
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Mr. Eric Maine is the newly appointed Associate Director of Orchestras at Centennial High School. Before moving to Frisco, Mr. Maine previously taught in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he served as the Orchestra Director of Ed W. Clark High School.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Music Education with a minor in Music History from Syracuse University, graduating with honors. He went on to get his master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2015, and most recently, he completed a second master's in Orchestra Conducting at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he studied with Taras Krysa. Mr. Maine’s teaching experience spans both middle and high school levels. His orchestras have consistently earned superior ratings at a variety of festivals. He conducted Clark High School's performances at The Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference held in Chicago, IL, in both 2016 and 2019. More recently, he served as string education presenter at the 2024 conference. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Maine actively contributes to the music education community. He has served as the Southern NMEA (Nevada Music Educators Association) All-State Orchestra Chair, the 11 & 12th Grade Honor Orchestra Chairperson, and as President of the Nevada Chapter of ASTA (American String Teacher Association). Furthermore, Mr. Maine is a National Board Certified Teacher in Secondary Music. Outside of teaching, Mr. Maine enjoys reading, hiking, and running, completing his first half-marathon in February of 2025. He also enjoys spending time with his mini Australian Shepard, Wesley. Mr. Maine is looking forward to starting his journey with the Centennial Orchestra! |
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Ms. Caton
Harp Director
Catherine Caton started playing the harp at a young age, beginning lessons at the Eastman Community Music School in Rochester, NY with Dr. Nan Gullo Bassett. She has freelanced in the community for over fifteen years and taught privately for ten of those years. In her younger years, she served as principal harpist of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. During her time with the RPYO, she was the winner of the Rochester Philharmonic League’s Helen Greer instrumental award. Following high school, she enlisted in the Marine Corps as a musician before returning to Rochester to earn her degree in harp and a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music under the instruction of Professor Kathleen Bride.
Catherine’s most recent orchestral engagements include principal harpist of The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and principal harpist of the New Texas Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she has been guest principal with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Symphony New Hampshire, and the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra. Her fellowships include two seasons at the Lake George Music Festival. Catherine’s mission as a teacher is to increase the accessibility of the harp as well as develop the “musician first” mindset. As a performer, she strives to present a polished, professional, impactful product that showcases the musical capabilities of her instrument.
Catherine’s most recent orchestral engagements include principal harpist of The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and principal harpist of the New Texas Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she has been guest principal with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Symphony New Hampshire, and the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra. Her fellowships include two seasons at the Lake George Music Festival. Catherine’s mission as a teacher is to increase the accessibility of the harp as well as develop the “musician first” mindset. As a performer, she strives to present a polished, professional, impactful product that showcases the musical capabilities of her instrument.
