Band Staff

Meet The New Albany High School Band Staff!

Mr. Darren Falk

Band Director, New Albany High School

Darren Falk is the Director of Bands at New Albany High School and recently served as the District Performing Arts Center Coordinator. He has been on faculty in the New Albany music program since 1998. Mr. Falk earned his Bachelors of Music Education degree from The Ohio State University in 1998 and his Masters of Music Education degree from the VanderCook College of Music in 2004. In 2007, he became the founder and musical director of the New Albany Community Band (now named New Albany Winds) as part of his belief that all student musicians should continue to perform on their instrument after graduation from High School. He is a member of the Ohio Music Education Association and serves as a board member and musical director of the Ohio State University Men's Glee Club Alumni Society. He lives in Westerville, OH with his wife, three daughters and dog Sloopy.

Mr. Dusty Wallace

Athletic Bands Advisor

Dustin “Dusty” Wallace is a Musician, Teacher, Podcast/Radio Personality and Performing Artist from central Ohio. His primary instruments are Voice, Piano, and Guitar. He also plays Tuba and Bass. Dusty plays and is proud to be an endorsed artist of Breedlove acoustic guitars. Click HERE to see his Breedlove profile!

Dusty is on staff at Denison University in Granville as a member of their Media Services Department. He is also the owner/operator of Wallace Creative LLC.

From 2010-12 and 2014-15, Dusty served as the Worship, Theater (2010-12), and Vocal Ensemble Director for Central College Christian Academy. From 2012-1026, he was the Worship & Creative Arts Director for Quest: a Vineyard Church. 

Dusty lives in Alexandria with his daughter Cadence and wife Melinda Wallace, the New Albany Schools Interim Associate Director of Athletic Bands and MS Jazz Bands Emeritus.

Mr. Brian Coon

Band Director, New Albany Middle School

Brian Coon graduated from Capital University in Columbus and began his teaching career in 1991 in the Teays Valley Local Schools District. After 9 years at Teays Valley, he spent 8 years at home being "Mr. Mom" for his two daughters until and was hired at New Albany in 2008. Since returning to classroom duties, he has received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Kaplan University and State of Ohio Master Teacher certification.

Mr. Coon has also been an active performer locally and regionally for more than 20 years. Mr. Coon has had the good fortune to perform with many national acts, play with the Columbus Symphony (on pops concerts that use a saxophone section), and play as a member of several jazz, rock, country, Jewish, Salsa, and other bands. Currently, Mr. Coon is a member of The Conspiracy Band, The Kevin Patrick Sweeney Band, The Dwight Lenox Band, and is a saxophonist for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Coon lives in Gahanna with his wife, daughters, and three rescue dogs that now heel beautifully.

Mr. Coon is a member of the American Federation of Musicians, the Ohio Music Educators' Association, the National Association for Music Education, and in 2011, Mr. Coon became an artist endorser for Antigua Winds Saxophones.

Mr. Chad Lester

Drumline Instructor

Mrs. Linda Schmidt

Drill Team Instructor