LEADERSHIP | Reedy Orchestra

mEET tHE dIRECTORS

Mr. Aryc Lane

Orchestra Director

Mr. Aryc Lane is the Director of Orchestras and Fine Arts Department Chair at Reedy High School.

Mr. Lane graduated from Illinois State University (ISU) with a Master of Music Education degree. His degree included an emphasis in cello performance under the guidance of Dr. Adriana Ransom and conducting studies with Dr. Glenn Block. Mr. Lane had the honor of being principal cellist in the ISU Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and he also served as the cellist for the ISU Graduate String Quartet. As a freelance cellist in Illinois, Mr. Lane regularly performed with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Decatur-Millikin Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Cello Society.

Mr. Lane also attended Baylor University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Music Education degree. While at Baylor, he studied cello with Dr. Gary Hardie. His principal music education studies were under the supervision of Dr. Michael Alexander, author of the Orchestral Expressions string literature.

Mr Lane is a proud member of several professional music organizations, including TODA, TMEA, TMAA, and Mu Omicron. He is a Past President of TODA, where he served on the Executive Board from 2019 to 2024.

Mr. Lane is an active arranger, cellist, clinician, and judge across the state of Texas. He is also an active yogi and travels the world whenever he can!

Ms. Ellen Kidwell

Orchestra Director

Ms. Ellen Kidwell is the Associate Director of Orchestras at Reedy High School. She currently serves as the TMEA Region 24 Orchestra Division Region Chair-Elect.

Ms. Kidwell is joining the Reedy High School family from San Antonio, Texas, where she served as the head Orchestra Director at Alamo Heights Junior School and Barbara Bush Middle School. Ms. Kidwell holds a BM in Music Education and Violin Performance Certificate from the University of Texas at San Antonio. While at UTSA, Ms. Kidwell studied violin performance with San Antonio Symphony member Dr. Stephanie Westney. She has performed in several ensembles in San Antonio, including Sonido Barroco and the Bell Pepper Trio, who recorded and released a performance with Texas Public Radio. Ms. Kidwell also has experience performing as a jazz pianist and continues to play regularly for leisure.

Ms. Kidwell is an active member of TMEA and TODA. Ms. Kidwell was awarded the prestigious TODAY Young Educator of the Year Award in 2024. She also received the 2018 TMEA Collegiate Educator Award. She has continued to work closely with her mentor, former ASTA President Kristen Pellegrino to grow as a music educator and lead award winning orchestras.

In her free time, Ms. Kidwell can be found at the rock climbing gym or vacationing to climb outside. She loves to hike, and is currently working on completing all of Colorado’s 58 fourteen thousand foot mountains. She also loves spending time with family, and has a five year old son named Grayson.

Ms. Megan Li

Harp Instructor

Ms. Megan Li is the Director of Harp Studies at Reedy High School.

Ms. Li received her harp training at The Cleveland Institute of Music where she studied under renowned harp soloist Yolanda Kondonassis. She earned both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music degree in Harp Performance. In addition, Ms. Li furthered her ensemble experience by attending many prestigious summer festivals including the Tanglewood Music Festival, Round Top Festival Institute, Eastern Music Festival, Sewanee Summer Music Festival and the Monteux School and Music Festival. Ms. Li was also honored to be one of the last harpists to spend the summer studying with legendary harp teacher Alice Chalifoux at the Camden Harp Colony.

Since moving to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Ms. Li has performed with many local orchestras including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Irving Symphony Orchestra, Plano Symphony Orchestra, and Abilene Philharmonic, among others. She is also an avid chamber musician and enjoys playing harp and violin duets with her husband, Steven Li, who is a member of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Ms. Li has a passion for teaching and has enjoyed helping her students achieve top ratings in Texas State Solo and Ensemble contests as well as be selected for All-State Orchestra. When she is not playing the harp or teaching, she enjoys spending time with her daughter Charissa, playing the ukulele, singing, reading, skiing, and hiking.