ABOUT ME
Teacher and Musician
Hello, my name is Mr. Phillips, and I am thrilled to serve as the music director at Debbie Smith CTE Academy! My passion lies in performance music, and I am eager to bring my experience and enthusiasm to our students.
With 18 years of teaching under my belt, I have mentored and directed numerous bands, guiding many students toward collegiate music programs and professional careers as gigging artists. As a saxophonist, I’ve had the privilege of performing with the Reno Jazz Orchestra, the Four Tops, the Miracles, and Sol’Jibe. I’ve also directed the Reno Jazz Orchestra and led honor bands at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
These experiences have shaped my deep love for music, and my goal is to inspire that same passion in every student I teach. I look forward to creating incredible musical opportunities and helping students reach their fullest potential.
“Where words fail, music speaks.” - Anderson
With 18 years of teaching under my belt, I have mentored and directed numerous bands, guiding many students toward collegiate music programs and professional careers as gigging artists. As a saxophonist, I’ve had the privilege of performing with the Reno Jazz Orchestra, the Four Tops, the Miracles, and Sol’Jibe. I’ve also directed the Reno Jazz Orchestra and led honor bands at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
These experiences have shaped my deep love for music, and my goal is to inspire that same passion in every student I teach. I look forward to creating incredible musical opportunities and helping students reach their fullest potential.
“Where words fail, music speaks.” - Anderson
SMITH ACADEMY MUSIC CALENDAR
DEBBIE SMITH ACADEMY MUSIC CALENDAR 2026
Updated February 11th, 2026
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
March 3rd – Symphonic Orchestra Festival UNR
Students will take a bus from Debbie Smith during school hours. We will head to UNR and perform at 4:40PM. We will head back to D.S. and return by 5:45PM. Parents will need to pick their students up at D.S. unless they are checked out at our performance location.
May 28th – Debbie Smith HS GYM 6:00PM
June 10th – Lawlor Events Center @ UNR
Students will need to be dropped off at UNR at the steps of Lawlor Event Center with their instrument. I am thinking we will need students there around 1:30PM, but this is only a close guess. Students will then need to be picked up at the same location around 4:45PM.
Solo and Ensemble
February 21st – McQueen High School
Students who signed up with me were given their individual times
JAZZ
March 3rd – Symphonic Orchestra Festival UNR
Students will take a bus from Debbie Smith during school hours. We will head to UNR and perform at 4:40PM. We will head back to D.S. and return by 5:45PM. Parents will need to pick their students up at D.S. unless they are checked out at our performance location.
May 9th - NMEA Day of Jazz Event
Spanish Springs HS TBD in time
May 28th – Debbie Smith HS GYM 6:00PM
June 10th – Lawlor Events Center @ UNR
Students will need to be dropped off at UNR at the steps of Lawlor Event Center with their instrument. I am thinking we will need students there around 1:30PM, but this is only a close guess. Students will then need to be picked up at the same location around 4:45PM.
CHOIR
Tentative Coffee N Comics TBD
February 27th – Choir Festival UNR
Students will take a bus from Debbie Smith during school hours at 8:15AM. We will head to UNR and perform at 9:20AM. We will head back to D.S. and return by 10:45AM.
April 18th – Reno Public Market (TIME TBD)
May 28th – Debbie Smith HS GYM 6:00P
Updated February 11th, 2026
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
March 3rd – Symphonic Orchestra Festival UNR
Students will take a bus from Debbie Smith during school hours. We will head to UNR and perform at 4:40PM. We will head back to D.S. and return by 5:45PM. Parents will need to pick their students up at D.S. unless they are checked out at our performance location.
May 28th – Debbie Smith HS GYM 6:00PM
June 10th – Lawlor Events Center @ UNR
Students will need to be dropped off at UNR at the steps of Lawlor Event Center with their instrument. I am thinking we will need students there around 1:30PM, but this is only a close guess. Students will then need to be picked up at the same location around 4:45PM.
Solo and Ensemble
February 21st – McQueen High School
Students who signed up with me were given their individual times
JAZZ
March 3rd – Symphonic Orchestra Festival UNR
Students will take a bus from Debbie Smith during school hours. We will head to UNR and perform at 4:40PM. We will head back to D.S. and return by 5:45PM. Parents will need to pick their students up at D.S. unless they are checked out at our performance location.
May 9th - NMEA Day of Jazz Event
Spanish Springs HS TBD in time
May 28th – Debbie Smith HS GYM 6:00PM
June 10th – Lawlor Events Center @ UNR
Students will need to be dropped off at UNR at the steps of Lawlor Event Center with their instrument. I am thinking we will need students there around 1:30PM, but this is only a close guess. Students will then need to be picked up at the same location around 4:45PM.
CHOIR
Tentative Coffee N Comics TBD
February 27th – Choir Festival UNR
Students will take a bus from Debbie Smith during school hours at 8:15AM. We will head to UNR and perform at 9:20AM. We will head back to D.S. and return by 10:45AM.
April 18th – Reno Public Market (TIME TBD)
May 28th – Debbie Smith HS GYM 6:00P
To Contact Mr. Phillips, please E-MAIL me at:
[email protected]
