Dan White, Ph.D., takes on his new role today as the McKinney Independent School District to lead the its fine arts department.

McKinney ISD began the search for a new director of fine arts in March following the retirement of Roy Renzenbrink, who led the department from 2005-2015.

“A strong fine arts program is, in my opinion, essential for a well-rounded education,” White said in a press release. “Participation in the arts nurtures creativity and strengthens higher-order thinking skills. Students learn about team work and responsibility to others, and it has been well documented that these skills carry over to all facets of life.” White has served as director of fine arts for the Wichita Falls Independent School District for the past 16 years, and brings experience from a 35-year career in music education that began in a high school choir room and has evolved into his present service in district-level administration. “McKinney ISD has established high quality fine arts programs throughout the district,” White said in a press release. “I am looking forward to working in a school district where fine arts is supported at such a high level.” Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel said White’s passion for the arts and his communication skills will help take the department to new heights. “We believe that we have hit a home run by hiring Dr. White and that he will carry on the traditions of excellence established by our fine arts department,” McDaniel said in a press release. “We’re excited to have him.” White began his career in fine arts education in 1980 as a choral director at Plainview High School in Plainview, Texas, and then served at Roswell High School in Roswell, New Mexico, two years later in the same capacity. From 1985-1999 he taught and directed at the collegiate level, serving as a graduate assistant in the Music Department at Texas Tech University, as associate professor of music at Wayland Baptist University and then as associate professor of music at Midwest State where he also held the position of music program chair for five years. In 1999, White became the director of fine arts for Wichita Falls ISD. White’s written work has been published in professional journals and he has served as a TMEA clinician/guest conductor at the regional level on five occasions. He is the current UIL Region II Executive Committee Chair and served as president of the Texas Music Administrators Conference from 2007 to 2008, as well as in numerous other leadership roles in professional organizations such as Texas Association of Music Schools Executive Board, American Choral Directors Association and the Texas Music Educators Association. White earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree at Wayland Baptist University, his Master of Music degree from Eastern New Mexico University and his Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Texas Tech University.