Directors | Waltrip RamBand

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, 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.

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

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.

Daniel Ferreira

Assistant Band Director

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 at Eduardo Leandro and Thom Hannum

Celena Espinosa

Charles J. Stephens

Band Director, Emeritus