DSS Music
Reminders:
5th and 6th graders - you can still join Bulldog Express, Band, and Orchestra!
- Bulldog Express is every Monday after school from 2:30-3:30pm and every Wednesday during school from 1:45-2:30pm. Want to join? Make sure you turn in your paper and $1 club fee to the office or Mrs. C, then audition either before school or during lunch recess.
- Orchestra and Band teachers have already started their classes. If you wish to join, contact Mr. Cheney at ccheney@saffordusd.com for information about orchestra or Mr. Green at sgreen@saffordusd.com for information about band.
Click on your grade to practice!
This Year's Fine Arts Schedule
2026-2027 Fine Arts Dates
Tickets to shows may be purchased on the CFA ticketing website!
All SUSD PROGRAMS AND CONCERTS BEGIN AT 6:30PM (UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
- Wednesday August 12th - SUSD Instrumental Parent Night
- Orchestra 6:00pm - 6:30pm
- Band 6:30pm - 7:00pm
- Thursday November 5th - Veterans Day Concert
- 4th grade and Bulldog Express students perform
- Thursday December 10th - SUSD Elementary Instrumental Concert
- All Elementary Band and Orchestra students perform
- Tuesday December 15th - Holiday Concert
- 1st grade and Bulldog Express students perform
- Wednesday Feb 24th - Annual Musical (To Be Determined...)
- 3rd grade students perform
- Thursday April 22nd - Combined Bulldog Express concert
- Bulldog Express students from all 3 Elementary Schools perform
- Closed rehearsal from 4:30pm - 6:00pm
- Concert begins at 6:30pm
- Monday May 10th - Feast of Folk Concert
- 2nd grade and Bulldog Express students perform
- Tuesday May 18th - SUSD Orchestras Concert
- All Orchestra students grades 5-12 perform
- Wednesday May 19th - SUSD Bands Concert
- All Band students grades 6-12 perform
- Tuesday May 25th - Kindergarten Celebration Concert
- Concert starts at 10:00am
Rachel Casperson, NBCT
Hello and thank you for visiting our music page! My name is Rachel Casperson and I am the general music teacher and Bulldog Express choir director for Dorothy Stinson School. I grew up in Mesa Arizona and in 2016, I received my Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. That year I moved to Safford to be with family and started work as an emergency sub for the Safford Unified School District and as a private tutor. In 2018, I was hired as the official music teacher for Dorothy Stinson School. Since then, I have helped over 500 students every year expand their hearts and horizons by putting on grade-level concerts, reviving the DSS Bulldog Express choir for 5th and 6th grade, and putting the fun back in music class! In 2025, I was recognized by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards by achieving the certification for Music in Early and Middle Childhood. Teaching music is my passion and I am so happy to do it as a part of this school, this district, and this community. Go Bulldogs!!
Email: rcasperson@saffordusd.com
Phone: 928-348-7010 ext. 1027
Qualifications: National Board Certified Teacher, 2025, Bachelor of Music Education - NAU 2016 Teaching Certificate - Music, PreK-12; Structured English Immersion, PreK-12