Ryan Forkner, Head Director rforkner@mesquiteisd.org 972-882-7936
Ryan Forkner is originally from Arlington, TX where he first began singing in choirs as a boy. After graduating from Arlington High School in 1999, Ryan attended Texas Christian University where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2003. Following his undergraduate degree, Ryan served as a Choral Graduate Assistant at TCU while earning his Masters in Choral Conducting under Professor Ron Shirey.
After completing his Masters in 2005, Ryan became the choir director at North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, TX where he has taught the past 16 years. Under Ryan’s leadership the North Mesquite choirs have consistently received Sweepstakes and “Best in Class” ratings at contests and festivals and performed at Southwest ACDA (2018) and TMEA (2020) conventions. Over the past 16 years, Ryan has served in multiple leadership and service positions including TMEA Region 3 Vocal Chair from 2014 to 2016 and TMEA Region 3 President (2018 to present). Ryan has also served on the TMAA nominations committee. Ryan currently serves the Texas Choral Directors' Association as High School Division Vice-President.
Ryan is a member of ACDA, TMEA, TCDA, TMAA, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He lives in Nevada, TX with his wife, Christy, and his daughters, Avery, Cara Grace, and Robyn.
After completing his Masters in 2005, Ryan became the choir director at North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, TX where he has taught the past 16 years. Under Ryan’s leadership the North Mesquite choirs have consistently received Sweepstakes and “Best in Class” ratings at contests and festivals and performed at Southwest ACDA (2018) and TMEA (2020) conventions. Over the past 16 years, Ryan has served in multiple leadership and service positions including TMEA Region 3 Vocal Chair from 2014 to 2016 and TMEA Region 3 President (2018 to present). Ryan has also served on the TMAA nominations committee. Ryan currently serves the Texas Choral Directors' Association as High School Division Vice-President.
Ryan is a member of ACDA, TMEA, TCDA, TMAA, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He lives in Nevada, TX with his wife, Christy, and his daughters, Avery, Cara Grace, and Robyn.
Christy Forkner, Associate Director cforkner@mesquiteisd.org 972-882-6559
Christy Forkner is currently in her fifteenth year of teaching and her first year as the associate choir director at North Mesquite High School. Prior to teaching at NMHS, Christy was the head choir director at Vanston Middle School for twelve years. Mrs. Forkner is originally from Hurst, Texas where she attended LD Bell High School and was a Texas All-State Choir Member. She received her Bachelors of Music Education (Vocal Emphasis) from Texas Christian University in 2005. She resides in Nevad with her husband Ryan, the head choir director at North Mesquite High School, her three beautiful daughters, Avery, Cara and Robyn, and her pets, Lucy and Rosie and many chickens.
Donna Middlebrooks, Staff Accompanist
Donna Middlebrooks has been a part of the NMHS Choir family for many years. Donna served as accompanist and voice teacher from 2005 through 2014. Following that, Donna served as associate choir director at NMHS from 2014 to 2021. Currently, Donna is returning to her previous role accompanying all of the North Mesquite Choirs. Donna graduated from North Mesquite High School where she sang in the choir, played French Horn in the band, and was a Texas All-State violinist. After high school, Donna attended Baylor University where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Prior to teaching at NMHS, Donna served as a private voice instructor at South Garland High School and Sachse High School. In addition to her work at NMHS, Donna serves on staff at FBC Forney as the assistant to the worship pastor and works part-time as a local realtor. Donna resides in Forney with her husband Mike, a hospice chaplain and Dallas PD chaplain, and her son Zachary, a senior at Dallas Baptist University.