Dr. Kristin Isaacson
Head Director of
Orchestral Activities
Mr. Logan Thoeni
Assistant Director of
Orchestral Activities
D.M.A Louisiana State University
M.M. Louisiana State University
B.M. Indiana University
Dr. Kristin Isaacson joined the faculty of Cypress Woods High School in 2017 as Assistant Orchestra Director. She is currently the Head Orchestra Director. Dr. Isaacson moved to Cypress from Abilene, TX where she served on the faculty of Hardin-Simmons University for twelve years as Associate Professor of Cello. Dr. Isaacson has taught cello, double bass and chamber music from beginning level through collegiate study. She has served on the faculty of Abilene Christian University, Eastern Kentucky University, the Blue Lake Fine Arts, the Abilene Summer Music Festival, the Craftsbury Chamber Players Youth Program, the Upper Valley Waldorf School in Quechee, VT and the Music Academy at Louisiana State University.
Dr. Isaacson has maintained a private studio and been active as a performer for over twenty years. She has performed solos, chamber and orchestral works with ensembles including the Craftsbury Chamber Players, the Abilene Chamber Players, the Ohio Light Opera, the Abilene Philharmonic, the Vermont Symphony the Lexington Philharmonic and others.
Dr. Isaacson studied cello with Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Dennis Parker, Helga Winold, Iseut Chuat and Mary Lou Rylands. Dr. Isaacson has pursued many interests in alternative string styles. In 2009, she traveled to Buenos Aires to study Tango music through the College Music Society. Dr. Isaacson pursued jazz studies with Willis Delony at Louisiana State University, culminating in her dissertation paper, Yardbird Cello: Playing Bird with the Bow. Dr. Isaacson is passionate about performance and education, bringing a wealth of diverse experiences to her students at Cypress Woods High School.
B.M. Texas State University
Logan Thoeni is the Assistant Orchestra Director at Cy Woods High School, where he has been teaching since 2020 after earning his degree in Music Education from Texas State University. He graduated from Cypress Woods High School Class of 2011. In addition to his work in the classroom, he teaches private lessons, performs seasonally with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, Echo Orchestra and Symphony North. In the past, he has performed professionally, including with the national Broadway tour of Million Dollar Quartet at the Gershwin Theater in 2019. He brings that real-world experience into his teaching, working to create a supportive and engaging environment where students can grow as musicians, build confidence, and enjoy making music together.