Wylie ISD Names Craig Needham as Executive Director of Fine Arts

Wylie ISD is proud to announce the hiring of Craig Needham as the district’s next Executive Director of Fine Arts, succeeding Glenn Lambert, who announced his retirement last month. With decades of experience, a reputation for service, and a legacy of student success, Needham brings both passion and proven leadership to this role.

Needham currently serves as the Assistant Director of Fine Arts – Performing Arts in Arlington ISD, where he has helped support and elevate music and performing arts programs districtwide. Prior to that role, he spent three years leading the orchestra program at McKinney Boyd High School and 16 years as the Director of Orchestras at Berkner High School in Richardson ISD.

Under his leadership, orchestras consistently performed at the highest levels. The Berkner Symphony Orchestra was named the TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra for 2006-07, and in 2016, his full orchestra was invited to perform at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, where they collaborated with the renowned Canadian Brass.

Throughout his career, Needham has also been deeply committed to service and professional leadership. He has served as President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Vice President of the TMEA Orchestra Division, and is currently President-Elect of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. His service also includes roles on the TMEA Honor Orchestra Committee, UIL Music Advisory Committee, UIL Sight Reading Committee, and the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee.

Needham holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.

As a proud member of a family of educators, Needham brings a personal commitment to the power of education and the arts. His wife, daughters, and extended family are all educators, and he continues to share his love of music as the Orchestra Director at The Heights Church in Richardson.

Wylie ISD looks forward to welcoming Needham to the district and continuing its strong tradition of excellence in fine arts under his leadership.