Staff

Jeff Hastings – [email protected]altusps.com

Jeff Hastings began his tenure as a band director in Altus, Oklahoma in 1992. Mr. Hastings is the Director of Bands for the Altus Band program. He directs the Altus HS marching band, symphonic band, and the Altus High School jazz band as well as teaching beginning percussion at the Intermediate School. A 1986 graduate of Moore High School, Mr. Hastings earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Mr. Hastings has been a clinician, conductor, and adjudicator in Oklahoma and Texas. He has served as the chairman for the OMEA All-State Honor Band, served on the Board of Directors of the Southwestern Oklahoma Band Director’s Association and Executive Secretary since 1999, served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Bandmaster’s Association including serving as President of the organization. He is currently the Vice President of the Beta chapter of the International Bandmasters fraternity, Phi Bet Mu and is the Vice President of the Band Division of Oklahoma Music Educator's Association.

Mr. Hastings’ professional affiliations include Music Education National Conference, Oklahoma Music Educator’s Association, Oklahoma Music Adjudicators Association, Oklahoma Bandmaster’s Association, Southwestern Oklahoma Band Director’s Association, Phi Beta Mu, Oklahoma Education Association, Altus Education Association, and a lifetime member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Mr. Hastings also serves as a reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Jackson County Sheriff’s office.

Jeff is married to Kathy Hastings and has a son, Ethan.

Blake DeLao – [email protected]

Blake DeLao is in his sixth year of teaching in Altus. A 2003 graduate of Altus High School, Mr. DeLao continued his education at the University of Oklahoma where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education with honors in the Fall of 2007. Currently, Mr. DeLao is pursuing his Master of Music Education in Instrumental Conducting at the same university.

While attending the University of Oklahoma, Mr. DeLao was selected as Outstanding Senior in Music Education, Outstanding Senior in the College of Education, and received the prestigious Colbert Hackler Award in Instrumental Music Education.

Mr. DeLao’s duties include overseeing the Altus Junior High and Intermediate School bands. This includes directing two concert bands and directing the beginning band. His duties also include overseeing the color guard, and assisting the high school marching band.

Mr. DeLao’s professional affiliations include Southwestern Oklahoma Band Director’s Association, Oklahoma Bandmasters Association, Oklahoma Music Educator’s Association, National Association for Music Education, MacDowell Club of Allied Arts, Professional Educators of Oklahoma, and Phi Mu Alpha.

During his free time, Mr. DeLao enjoys attending Sooner football and basketball games, working out, and spending time with his family and friends.

Michelle Basaldua – [email protected]

Michelle Basaldua is a 1989 graduate of Altus High School where she was a member of “That Altus Band”. She earned her Bachelor in Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1994. She relocated to Baton Rouge, La. where she taught high school band and choir for three years before returning to Oklahoma. She was Director of Bands in Hobart for one year and taught band and choir in Hollis for nine years before becoming a mom. After her daughter was born she began teaching elementary music, which allowed her to make more time for her family; 3 years of elementary music in Hollis and 5 in Altus Public Schools in elementary music. Mrs. Basaldua currently assists with high school marching band and conducts the High School Concert Band. She also teaches general music at Altus Intermediate School.

Mrs. Basaldua has experience in teaching pre-K through 12th grade general music, instrumental music and vocal music as well as teaching adjunct applied music at Western Oklahoma State College.

Mrs. Basaldua’s professional affiliations include Oklahoma Music Educators Association, Professional Educators of Oklahoma and Mu Phi Epsilon.

Michelle is married to Jessie Basaldua and has three bonus children, Sarina, Sabastian and Shyanne and her daughter Zoe.

Christy Dykens – [email protected]

Christy Dykens has been employed by Altus Public Schools for twelve years, as a Special Education Paraprofessional, elementary music teacher, and is now beginning her fifth year of teaching at Altus High School. Mrs. Dykens was a 1982 graduate of Logan High School in Kansas and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in the Fall of 1986. She is not only certified to teach Instrumental and Choral Music, but math and English as well.

While attending FHSU, Mrs. Dykens received the Outstanding Freshman Music Award, the Henry Edward Malloy Outstanding Senior Music Award, served as President of Sigma Alpha Iota, and was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

Mrs. Dykens began her teaching career as Co-Director of Bands in Colby, KS from 1987-1993. She has been a clinician, conductor, and adjudicator in Kansas, and served on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Bandmaster’s Association for three years. In 1990, Mrs. Dykens was named the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Band Director for the State of Kansas as well as the Colby Outstanding Young Educator, and her Middle School Band was chosen to perform at the State Music Education Convention the following year.

Mrs. Dykens is currently the Assistant Choir Director, accompanist, and piano instructor at AHS as well as Assistant Band Director at the High School and Intermediate School.

Mrs. Dykens’ professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, Oklahoma Choral Directors Association, Oklahoma Bandmasters Association, Professional Oklahoma Educators, and a lifetime member of Sigma Alpha Iota.

Chris is married to Jim Dykens and has one son, Josh. She is a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where she serves as pianist and choir director.