Dane Romano

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Director of Bands

Dane Romano is currently in his fourth year as Director of Bands at Edmond Santa Fe High School. Born in Edmond, Oklahoma, he is a 2006 graduate of Edmond Santa Fe High School. Following high school Mr. Romano graduated Cum Laude from Oklahoma City University in May of 2011 with a double Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education and Instrumental Performance. Mr. Romano continued his education at OCU and earned a Masters of Music in Instrumental Performance in May of 2013. Throughout his time at Oklahoma City University, he studied with Dr. David Steffens, Dr. Matthew Mailman, and Dr. Andrea Venet.

In 2009, Mr. Romano was named the Outstanding Percussionist for the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, and in 2011 he received the Outstanding Music Education Student Award at Oklahoma City University. In 2010 and 2012, Mr. Romano was a semi-finalist in the Southern California Marimba Competition. In 2012 he and his duo partner, Joseph Craven, were finalists in the collegiate duo category and finished second, receiving an Honorable Mention.
Mr. Romano founded the Great Plains International Marimba Competition in 2013. This competition, which seeks to provide educational performance opportunities through healthy and competitive competition for high school and collegiate age marimbists, is approaching its tenth year of competition, and has drawn competitors from as far as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. In 2020, Mr. Romano retired from his role as Executive Director of the competition and partnered with the Oklahoma Modern Music Collective, an Oklahoma City-based non-profit music organization, to ensure a successful future for the competition.

Before beginning his tenure at Edmond Santa Fe, Mr. Romano spent fourteen years at Putnam City North High School. He began his time at PCN in 2007 as an adjunct front ensemble tech, was then hired as the assistant band director in 2012, and in 2018 followed Susan Clothier as the Director of Bands. Mr. Romano consistently maintained a large private studio; over nine years he has helped over 35 students become All-State Percussionists. Additionally, in 2017, his percussion ensemble won the Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition. The ensemble gave a showcase concert at the 2017 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis that year.

In his current position at Edmond Santa Fe High School, his duties include marching band, wind ensemble, 6th grade percussion class, 7th grade percussion class, and 6th grade trumpet class. His additional responsibilities include 7th and 8th grade percussion ensemble at Summit Middle School, assisting with high school percussion ensembles, and leading the Santa Fe High School trumpet choir. Under Mr. Romano’s direction the Santa Fe Marching band has experienced a great deal of competitive growth and success in their 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons. The marching band has been named Grand Champion of the Mustang Marching Invitational for the past three seasons consecutively. On New Year’s Day 2023 Mr. Romano led the Santa Fe Marching Band in its 7th appearance in the London New Year’s Day Parade. In January of 2024 the Santa Fe Wind Ensemble made its 6th appearance as an OkMEA Honor Ensemble. In the fall of 2024 the Santa Fe Marching Band attended the Arizona Bands of America Regional. In its very first BOA appearance the Santa Fe Marching band swept the competition and was named the 2024 Grand Champion of the BOA Arizona Regional making them the first band in central Oklahoma to win a BOA Regional. In his free time (which is very limited) he enjoys spending time with his husband Diran, step-daughters Tailynn and Camdyn, immediate and extended family, friends, and dogs Lynx and Magnolia.

"When I told [Mr. Romano] that I was interested in auditioning for OSAI and DCI, he offered to help me learn my material, record my auditions, and make sure everything went smoothly, all in his own personal time. Additionally, when I told him I wanted to challenge myself more, he gave me a wide variety of repertoire to work on to make sure I can improve myself and my craft." -Jackson Medoff, OSAI student

Gina Thomison

Moore High School

Visual Arts Teacher

Gina Thomison (Head Theatre Director) has a Bachelor’s of English / Theatre Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Theatre has been a passion for her from a young age, writing and directing her first production in the fourth grade. The students got to perform in front of the whole fourth grade in Marlow, Oklahoma. In high school, she participated in speech and drama competitions all over Oklahoma. In college she was a part of several productions at SWOSU and was also a part of the BSU drama team. After graduation she went on to teach theatre in small schools and started drama teams at several churches. Out of her 30 years of teaching, 21 of them have been at Moore High. She got to open Moore High’s Performing Arts Center in 2012-2013. She has directed over forty-five productions and thirty-six productions have been here at Moore High School. There is no way she could do all of this without the support of her beautiful daughter, Jacye, and wonderful husband, Tom.

"My sophomore year I transferred to Moore High School after being a homeschooler my entire life. Scared and afraid, I stepped into Mrs. G's classroom and instantly felt at home. Mrs. G was a smiling face in a crowd of unknowns and she encouraged me to try out for her productions and promised me I would enjoy it. Since then, she has continued to look out for me and provide me with numerous amazing opportunities." -Luke Peterson, OSAI student

Kristene Watson

On Stage Dance Studio

Dance Educator & Studio Owner

Dance has been a lifelong passion for Kristene Watson, who began her journey at the age of three. Her early training started in New Mexico, where she built a strong foundation in movement before continuing her studies at Ballet Arts Theater in upstate New York under the guidance of esteemed ballet instructor Tina Christina Price.

During her time at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Kristene pursued a dance minor, refining her technique and artistry across multiple genres. Auditioning and earning a scholarship to GoVertigo Dance Company, the university's dance ensemble, she helped establish a student organization dedicated to continuing the program after its closure and would go on to lead the company in several capacities including student director. In addition, she had the privilege of training under many notable instructors across Oklahoma at the American College Dance Festival for several years, expanding her expertise in a diverse range of styles—including Irish and hula. These experiences deepened her passion for dance education, leading her to choreograph multiple pieces for the university dance company after graduation, local community theater and to begin her teaching journey at Tahlequah Ballet, a private studio.

In 2009, Kristene took a leap of faith and opened On Stage Dance Studio. Through dedication, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, she has grown her studio to nearly 100 students. One of her proudest achievements is fostering an environment where dancers of all backgrounds feel welcome—an accomplishment reflected in the fact that 10 percent of her students are boys. She provides a nurturing space where dancers can develop technique, build confidence, and find joy in movement.

Beyond the studio, Kristene believes in shaping her students into well-rounded individuals. She encourages them to embrace discipline, creativity, and personal growth—not just as dancers, but as confident and compassionate human beings. Her mission is to instill lessons that extend far beyond the dance floor, preparing her students for success in all aspects of life.

"Kristene has been an instrumental figure in my journey as a dancer. As one of the few males at our dance studio, I deeply appreciate her patience and understanding in allowing me to start where I felt most comfortable—with tap and clog—rather than requiring ballet right away. This approach helped me develop a genuine love for dance before gradually expanding into other styles. Beyond her encouragement, Kristene is incredibly thoughtful in her choreography. She challenges me to grow while ensuring that my performances reflect both strength and artistry. Her support and guidance have not only shaped me as a dancer but have also given me confidence in my personal development. I am grateful for her mentorship and the positive impact she continues to have on my artistic journey." -Parker Martin, OSAI student