Lauren Smith
Head Choir Director
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Patrick Vu
Associate Choir Director
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Brandon Ritter
Associate Choir Director- H9
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Lauren Smith is an experienced music educator in her eleventh year of teaching. She began her career as the Assistant Choir Director at Amarillo High School in Amarillo, Texas, where she served for two years before becoming the Head Choral Director at Rockwall-Heath High School.
Since joining the Heath faculty, Mrs. Smith has grown the choral program from 90 to nearly 250 students as of 2025. She has built a culture of musical excellence, collaboration, and student leadership. Under her direction, the Heath Choirs consistently earn superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluations and have become known for their high-level performances both on and off campus. Mrs. Smith has also grown the contemporary a cappella program at Heath, founding four ensembles that have earned recognition at competitions across Texas and the nation. Infiniti, the school’s premier mixed a cappella group, advanced to the Finals of the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) in New York City in both 2022 and 2024, earning 2nd place in the nation in 2024 and 3rd place in 2025. Mrs. Smith holds a degree in Vocal Music Education from Oklahoma Christian University. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with her students, creating memorable musical experiences, and fostering lifelong appreciation for the arts. She resides in Heath with her husband, Thomas—also a choir director—and their two children, Fletcher and Finley. Outside the classroom, she enjoys baking, creating, and traveling with her family. |
Patrick Vu is a teacher and composer from Allen, Texas. He is excited for his second year at Rockwall Heath High School! Mr. Vu received his Master’s in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University, where he served as the Associate Conductor for the Lubbock Chorale, the TTU Matador Singers, and the flagship TTU University Choir. He frequently serves as an invited clinician for various school, church, and community choirs in Texas and beyond. As a composer, Mr. Vu’s music has been performed across the world by professional and collegiate ensembles, and he is published by seven different publishing companies. He was awarded the 2023 ACDA Raymond Brock Prize for Student Composers for his piece “On the Hillside.” In March 2025, Mr. Vu will receive his Carnegie Hall debut with a new commissioned piece to be premiered by the National Concert Chorus. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Vocal Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Composition from Texas Christian University where he studied with Dr. Christopher Aspaas and Dr. Martin Blessinger. He also holds a Master’s in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University, where he studied with Dr. Alan Zabriskie. In his free time, Mr. Vu loves to write music, travel, and play hockey!
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Brandon Ritter is beginning his 24th year of teaching and is excited to be part of the Heath Hawk Choir Program as the director on the H9 campus! Mr. Ritter began his career in Garland ISD where he was the head director at Bussey Middle School for 4 years, then the head director at North Garland High School for 15 years, and recently has spent the last 3 years as the associate director at Mesquite High School. His choirs have consistently received sweepstakes at UIL evaluations and he has helped hundreds of students audition and participate in the All Region/All State Choirs as well as receive top marks at solo/ensemble contests.
In addition to his commitment to music education, Mr. Ritter is an active deacon in his church, a husband of 20 years, a father of 2 musically and athletically gifted sons, and is a lover of all things sport – especially hockey – GO STARS! |