Waltrip Band Staff

Jesse D. Espinosa

Director of Bands​

• Bachelors of Music - Performance from the University of St. Thomas,

• Masters of Educational Leadership from Lamar University

• Former Trumpet Player for the United States Army Band

• Active Member of TMEA, TBA, JEN, TJEA, and NafME

• The Marching Band has won 1st Divisions and 1st place finishes at various Contests and Festivals. Also advanced to the 5A Area UIL Marching Contests

• The Jazz Ensemble #1 has won many 1st Divisions and special awards at various Contests and Festivals They have also performed with world-renowned musicians, such as, Mic Gillette, Jon Faddis, Wayne Bergeron, Shelley Carroll, Andre Heyward, Vincent Gardner and many more

• The Wind Ensemble has earned superior ratings at the UIL Concert/Sight-Reading Band Contest and also advanced to the Area level for the TMEA Honor Band Contest.

• The Band Program under his direction has won the UIL Sweepstakes Award

• The Ram Band has represented the State of Texas twice in Washington D.C. for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Celebration and the 2015 National 4th of July Parade.

• The Waltrip High School band program is recognized as one of the top 5 Title I music programs in the United States. They are the Southwest Division Winners of the 2018 Inaugural Music Ed Alliance Dr. William P. Foster Project Award of Excellence.

• Region Band Chairperson 2020-Present

• The Waltrip RamBand Jazz Ensemble 1 won the 2019 Bob Mintzer Jazz Band Award, a national competition. The band is currently in works to schedule a concert featuring the band and Grammy Musician Mr. Mintzer once the Corona Virus is over

• Quarterfinalist for the Grammy's Music Educator Award 2020

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Erik Leon

Assistant Band Director

​Public School Education Experience – 12 years-Texas Teacher Certificate, EC-12

• Sam Houston State University – B.M. Music Education 2007

• Previous assignments include Aldine ISD and Humble ISD where his bands have received Sweepstakes, Best in Class, and 1st Division ratings.

• Performance

Saxophone – Larry Slezak/Dr. Scott Plugge

Sam Houston State Jazz Ensemble (Dr.Scott Plugge)

McNeese State Jazz Ensemble (Jay Ecker)

San Jacinto College Jazz Ensemble (Eric Late)

Ronnie Renfro Big Band

Grammy All-Star High School Jazz Band

Bassoon – Paul Harris

Texas Community-College All State Band

College Band Directors National Association:

All-State Band Member – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

National Band Member – Denton, Texas

• Professional Affiliations

TMEA – Texas Music Educators Association

TBA – Texas Bandmasters Association

AFT – American Federation of Teachers

NESA – National Eagle Scout Association

• Born and raised in Houston, TX. He and his lovely wife Jennifer (also a band director) have three beautiful children and reside in Kingwood, TX. Mr. Leon enjoys scouting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends.

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Daniel Ferreira

​Assistant Band Director

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• University of Massachusetts Amherst
  Bachelors in Music Education and Percussion Performance January 2006

• Boston University
  Masters in Music Education 2010

• From 2006-2018 held the position of Head Band Director at Millbury High School in Millbury Massachusetts

• Has played percussion as a free-lance artist extensively with several ensembles, theaters, colleges and schools including Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, Assabet Valley Master Singers, The Hanover Theater, Stadium Theater, Assumption College and many more

• Studied under artists such as Eduardo Leandro and Thom Hannum

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Celena Espinosa

Band Administrative Assistant​

• Waltrip HS Band Alum, Class of 1994

• Spencerian College, Kentucky
  

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Charles J. Stephens

Band Director, Emeritus

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• Bachelors, Florida A&M University

• Masters, Pepperdine University

• Director of Bands, Waltrip High School, 1983-2012

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