Meet Our Directors
Mike Flake, Band Director
lflake@conroeisd.net
Mr. Flake serves as the Band Director at Grand Oaks High School. He has taught all levels of band including beginner, intermediate, junior high and high school. His specialty is woodwinds.
Originally from Texas City, Texas, Mr. Flake graduated from The University of Houston with a Bachelor's Degree in Music. He also holds a Master's of Music Degree from DePaul University where he studied with the woodwind section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra including former principal clarinetist Larry Combs. He began his career in education in 2000 and his professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Association of Texas Professional Educators.
Mr. Flake's music accomplishments include a variety of milestones. In 1997, he was one of only four people in the world selected into the DePaul University Clarinet Studio. In 2007, his McCullough Wind Ensemble won the National Wind Band Honors Concert Band Contest. In 2014, his College Park High School Clarinet Choir was selected to perform at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. And, the Grand Oaks Wind Ensemble was honored as a 2021 Commended Winner of the National Wind Band Honors.
Mr. Flake is happily married to his wife Karen Flake. They have two beautiful daughters, Madeline and Sydney, and live in Spring, Texas. During his spare time, he enjoys running, cooking and working with his hands.
Luke Stoner, Assistant Band Director
lstoner@conroeisd.net
Mr. Stoner serves as the Assistant Band Director at Grand Oaks High School.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Stoner graduated from Miami University (OH) with Bachelor's Degrees in Music and Marketing. He began his career in education in 2020 and his professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Mr. Stoner is an active musician, serving as euphonium section leader for the Woodlands Concert Band, who are recipients of the Sudler Silver Scroll and have performed at the Midwest Clinic. Mr. Stoner is also a huge advocate for the marching arts. He performed with seven-time Drum Corps International World Champions, The Cavaliers, from 2013 to 2017, serving as baritone section leader and assistant drum major. He has been a World Class DCI instructor since 2018, currently serving as Assistant Brass Caption Manager at Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps.
Prior to coming to Grand Oaks, Mr. Stoner taught at Bleyl Middle School in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD for three years where he instructed beginner brass classes and the Concert Winds, and Jersey Village High School, where he conducted the Symphonic Band and instructed the marching band's visual program.
Mr. Stoner is happily married to his wife, Jessie. They have two cats, Tiger and Sean Bean. When he is not teaching, Mr. Stoner loves playing video games, board games, and card games.
Israel Lopez III, Percussion Director
isrlopez@conroeisd.net
Mr. Lopez serves as the Percussion Director at Grand Oaks High School.
Mr. Lopez will begin his 8th year of teaching with us. Most recently, he was the percussion director at Dekaney High School where his percussion ensemble was chosen to perform at Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Lopez’s will be responsible to oversee every aspect of the percussion program, which includes coordination of the marching band battery, front ensemble, and chamber ensembles. He will also assists in the preparation of the concert ensembles for UIL concert and sight reading.
Originally from Mission, Texas, Mr. Lopez’s upbringing in the Houston area led him to Sam Houston State University where he received his bachelor of music education degree in 2016. He studied with John Lane, Matt Holm, Matthew McInturf, and Brian Gibbs. He has also benefited from the mentorship of Chase Giddings, Trent Cooper, Jerriald Dillard, and Dana Pradervand.
Mr. Lopez is an avid baseball fan, he enjoys anything Houston Astros related, as well as golfing and hunting. Mr. Lopez lives in Spring, Texas with his wife, Samantha, also a band director, and their two dogs, Midas and Zoey. His professional affiliations include TMEA, TBA, Phi Mu Alpha, and PASIC.
Hope Posthumus-Wagner,
Color Guard Director
Coach Hope serves as the Color Guard Director at Grand Oaks High School.
Coach Hope will begin her 7th year as Color Guard Director with us. Most recently, she was the Color Guard Director at Dr. Joaquin Garcia HS and Palm Beach Gardens HS (Florida). She is excitedly relocating to Texas to take on this role. She has previously served as a Color Guard Technician for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as being a member of the FIU Independent World Winterguard.
Coach Hope’s teaching style focuses on creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where students feel valued and motivated to reach their full potential. She strives to develop her students' passion and drive for excellence in all things. She excels in her ability to lead and collaborate while keeping patience, adaptability, and an open line of communication with her students, parents, and fellow staff members.
Coach Hope loves to cook, read, and hike and is a proud Cat Mom! She is very excited to now be a Texas resident and looks forward to embracing Texas culture.