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 19 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 19 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
DEBBIE SMITH MUSIC HANDBOOK
| smith_academy_handbook_26-27.docx |
SMITH ACADEMY MUSIC CALENDAR
DEBBIE SMITH ACADEMY MUSIC CALENDAR 2026-2027
Updated August 7th, 2026
Performances will be announced as soon as they are made and can be added at any point throughout the year. I will always give a reasonable amount of time to arrange for your student to attend. Some performances will not have times because the event has yet to be finalized.
Symphonic Orchestra
Winter Concert – December 9th @ 6:00PM GYM
Festival Performance – May 19th or 20th @ UNR
Spring Concert – May 18th @ 6:00PM GYM
Graduation – TBA (PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE A TRIP UNTIL THE 12th of JUNE)
Jazz Band
Winter Concert – December 9th @ 6:00PM GYM
Folsom Jazz Festival – January 22nd and 23rd @ Folsom, CA (COMBO ONLY)
Jazz in the Schools – February 6th @ UNR
Reno Jazz Festival – April 29th – May 1st @ UNR
Spring Concert – May 18th @ 6:00PM GYM
Festival Performance – May 19th or 20th @ UNR
Graduation – TBA (PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE A TRIP UNTIL THE 12th of JUNE)
Choir
Winter Concert – December 9th @ 6:00PM GYM
Festival Performance – March 3rd or 4th @ UNR
Spring Concert - May 18th @ 6:00PM GYM
Rock Gigs (Coffee N Comics, Public Market) - TBA
OTHER EVENTS
Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra
Pre-Audition Workshop: September 8th
Auditions: September 21st-25th
Discover Jazz Workshop: September 26th
NMEA Solo and Ensemble – February 20th @ Depoali MS
Honor Ensemble – BAND
Auditions: November 18th
Concert: February 24th at Pioneer
Honor Ensemble – STRINGS
Auditions: September 23rd @ McQueen HS
Concert: November 5th @ Pioneer
Honor Ensemble – CHOIR
Auditions: Semptember 21st – 23rd
Concert: November 6th at Pioneer
Honor Ensemble – JAZZ
Auditions: November 18th
Concert: January 14th @ Damonte Ranch HS
NMEA ALL-STATE
Auditions – TBA
Concert: January 27th-29th @ Las Vegas
Universal Studios – Traveling Ensemble
April 23rd – April 25th @ Hollywood
Updated August 7th, 2026
Performances will be announced as soon as they are made and can be added at any point throughout the year. I will always give a reasonable amount of time to arrange for your student to attend. Some performances will not have times because the event has yet to be finalized.
Symphonic Orchestra
Winter Concert – December 9th @ 6:00PM GYM
Festival Performance – May 19th or 20th @ UNR
Spring Concert – May 18th @ 6:00PM GYM
Graduation – TBA (PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE A TRIP UNTIL THE 12th of JUNE)
Jazz Band
Winter Concert – December 9th @ 6:00PM GYM
Folsom Jazz Festival – January 22nd and 23rd @ Folsom, CA (COMBO ONLY)
Jazz in the Schools – February 6th @ UNR
Reno Jazz Festival – April 29th – May 1st @ UNR
Spring Concert – May 18th @ 6:00PM GYM
Festival Performance – May 19th or 20th @ UNR
Graduation – TBA (PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE A TRIP UNTIL THE 12th of JUNE)
Choir
Winter Concert – December 9th @ 6:00PM GYM
Festival Performance – March 3rd or 4th @ UNR
Spring Concert - May 18th @ 6:00PM GYM
Rock Gigs (Coffee N Comics, Public Market) - TBA
OTHER EVENTS
Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra
Pre-Audition Workshop: September 8th
Auditions: September 21st-25th
Discover Jazz Workshop: September 26th
NMEA Solo and Ensemble – February 20th @ Depoali MS
Honor Ensemble – BAND
Auditions: November 18th
Concert: February 24th at Pioneer
Honor Ensemble – STRINGS
Auditions: September 23rd @ McQueen HS
Concert: November 5th @ Pioneer
Honor Ensemble – CHOIR
Auditions: Semptember 21st – 23rd
Concert: November 6th at Pioneer
Honor Ensemble – JAZZ
Auditions: November 18th
Concert: January 14th @ Damonte Ranch HS
NMEA ALL-STATE
Auditions – TBA
Concert: January 27th-29th @ Las Vegas
Universal Studios – Traveling Ensemble
April 23rd – April 25th @ Hollywood
To Contact Mr. Phillips, please E-MAIL me at:
[email protected]
