The Director’s Choice team is growing, and we’re excited to introduce you to our new members!

First is Allison Land, a new Destination Specialist.

Tell us what brought you to this new role.

I worked for Director’s Choice first as a contract labor festival representative in San Antonio for a few years while I was a Band Director in Central Texas. Then in Summer of 2003, I moved to Lubbock and started working for the Company full time. I happily worked for Director’s Choice until Covid/June of 2020. In Fall of 2020, I moved to Amarillo, married my husband, Jessee, and gained 3 kids and 3 dogs. I taught Elementary Music in Amarillo.

Then, in summer of 2024, my husband and I moved to Vero Beach, Florida, and I continued teaching Elementary Music until the end of this past school year June of 2026. So, after a 6-year life changing hiatus, I am back! I had stayed in touch with so many industry and client friends, along with Jon, Amy and Carolyn during that time.

If you’ve worked with band directors in the past, what is your favorite part in working with them? 

I love the brainstorming sessions of the planning and idea stages the most – creatively walking thru the goals of travel for each program, director, and students is exciting! I am also a total logistics nerd (just ask anyone in my family!), so the itinerary development stage is really fun as well.

What is your favorite travel destination? 

That’s a REALLY hard one for me. I have the travel bug, grew up traveling and always need to be planning my next adventure no matter how big or small! San Antonio for anyone, Orlando for the fun-loving kids at heart, New York for my obsessions with Broadway/Big City, Hawaii and Europe for those big one-of-a-kind adventures for sure! Please don’t make me pick one.

What is something that most people don’t know about you?

I talk a LOT (if you haven’t figured that out yet), so I am not sure I harbor any secrets. I love to be at the beach, in the pool, fishing on the river, playing with my dogs, reading, traveling anywhere and everywhere. Project Runway and Top Chef are my favorite shows, and I do watch them repeatedly, which always inspires me to start sewing and cooking projects!

What makes you passionate about working in the student travel industry? 

I grew up a band kid. Band and all associated activities, especially travel of any kind, frankly kept me motivated to do as well as possible in school and life! I did a lot of travel and performing through college, band directing, and working for Director’s Choice, but the factors that really ignite my passion for student travel go back to when I was a high school student! The game changers for me were 3 big activities when I was in high school:

1. Being a part of a European Concert Tour when I was 16. We performed concerts all over Europe in the Summer of 1990. Traveling with students from all over the US and performing in the great European Concert Venues was unforgettable.
2. Being a part of the Houston Youth Symphony as a Flute and Piccolo Player for the last 2 years I was in high school—again traveling and performing with an amazing ensemble.
3. Being selected to perform in the National Flute Association Flute Choir in the Summer of 1992, before I started college. Sixteen of us from all over the United States were chosen to practice and perform in Los Angeles that summer. That was some of the most challenging music, and being able to come together in LA and work with so many gifted flute players was an incredible time in my life.

What would you love customers to know about you?

I am here for you! I am here for you and your students. I have been where you are, and I want to help you and your program in any way I can.

Also joining us is Tabatha Beavers, Operations Specialist!

Tell us what brought you to this new role?

My love of travel and assisting kids and directors with life changing experiences. 

If you’ve worked with band directors in the past, what is your favorite part?

I was a Texas Band Director for 11 years and love spending my time with great musicians. 

What is your favorite travel destination?

Scotland.

What is something that most people don’t know about you?

I’m from Georgia. 

What makes you passionate about working in the student travel industry?

I am passionate about kids having opportunities through band that they may not be able to receive at home due to financial restraints. Therefore, finding the best experience for the best price is a priority. 

What is it you’d love customers to know about you?

My faith and my family are everything to me. 

Both Allison and Tabatha look forward to working with you as you plan your next student trip! You can connect with Allison at [email protected] and Tabatha at [email protected].