Waltrip Band Staff
Jesse D. Espinosa
Director of Bands
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Bachelors of Music - Performance from the University of St. Thomas,
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Masters of Educational Leadership from Lamar University
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Former Trumpet Player for the United States Army Band
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Active Member of TMEA, TBA, JEN, TJEA, and NafME
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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
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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
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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.
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The Band Program under his direction has won the UIL Sweepstakes Award
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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.
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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.
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Region Band Chairperson 2020-Present
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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
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Quarterfinalist for the Grammy's Music Educator Award 2020
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
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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
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Studied under artists such as Eduardo Leandro and Thom Hannum
daniel.ferreira@houstonisd.org
James Elam
Assistant Band Director
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Sam Houston State University, Bachelors of Music Education; May 2020
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Montgomery High School, Assistant Director 2020-2021
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Free-lance trombone player throughout the greater Houston area
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Vice President of the Waltrip High School Alumni Association
james.elam@houstonisd.org
Celena Espinosa
Band Administrative Assistant
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Waltrip HS Band Alum, Class of 1994
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Spencerian College, Kentucky
cespino6@houstonisd.org
Charles J. Stephens
Band Director, Emeritus
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Bachelors, Florida A&M University
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Masters, Pepperdine University
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Director of Bands, Waltrip High School, 1983-2012
