Edward Lopez, known to most as “Eddie,” is the owner of Perform America–TX, LLC a nationally recognized travel company for student groups, founder of Global Initiative for Talented Students (GIFTS); a non-profit that focuses on assisting students in Academia, Athletics, and the Arts and an owner of Ultimate Drill Book , which creates educational tools for marching ensembles. Since its founding in 2010, UDB’s products have been used by more than 100,000 students and educators in schools, colleges and drum corps in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Eddie brings a wealth of experience through all sides of travel from working for over 10 years in the travel industry too traveling with his own ensembles, orchestras, choirs, dance teams, and many more organizations both domestically and internationally. Additionally in 2021, Mr. Lopez and Perform America received the Music Industry Award from the Texas Bandmasters Association Board of Directors for the long history of supporting music education and the association.

Mr. Lopez is the former Associate Director of Bands at Hendrickson High School. His duties included overseeing the Hendrickson Hawk Marching Band, woodwind studios and directing the Symphonic Winds. The marching band earned the right to perform in the 4A, 5A and 6A UIL State Marching Contests and was a consistent Bands of America Finalist and Class Champion at many local festivals. The Symphonic Winds received continuous superior ratings at UIL and in 2015 his ensemble received the Citation of Excellence National Winner Award from the Foundation of Music Education. That same year Mr. Lopez and his Saxophone Ensemble at Hendrickson were invited to perform at the 69th Annual International Midwest Clinic.

Mr. Lopez received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from The University of Texas at Austin in 2008. While at The University of Texas at Austin, Eddie received the outstanding New Man Award in the Longhorn Band, was named a Cactus Good Fellow and was a finalist in the Most Outstanding Student Award. In 2013, he was the youngest ever named President of the Longhorn Alumni Band during it’s 50th Annual Reunion and was also the youngest ever named President of the Texas Cowboy Alumni Association, the oldest men’s honor/service organization at The University of Texas at Austin in which he currently serves as its Executive Director.

Mr. Lopez has donated much time and funding to the The Arc of Austin, Special Olympics, and many University of Texas at Austin organizations. He also has established a scholarship through the Butler School of Music at UT Austin and the Longhorn Alumni Band for students pursuing music. He holds affiliations with Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tejas Club Foundation, Texas Cowboys Alumni Association and is a Life Member of the Texas Exes.

Dr. Jeff Laird brings to PAT a wealth of experience on all sides of travel. He has experienced travel through 20+ years as the director of a large, successful band program, over a decade as a fine arts administrator, as a band parent, a participant and now after several years in the travel industry. Jeff has had extensive experience planning for and hosting groups of all kinds and sizes. His own groups have performed at Carnegie Hall, the 52nd Presidential Inaugural Parade, and numerous other festivals nationwide. This wide variety of perspectives allows him to truly understand every angle of group travel..

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance, and a Master of Music degree in Music Performance, all from Lamar University in Beaumont. In 1996, he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education and Conducting from The University of Houston.

He has served the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) as President, Vice-President and State Band Chair. Other service to the profession include memberships of numerous UIL committees including the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee and the UIL Fine Arts Advisory Council. Jeff’s professional memberships include the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Phi Beta Mu, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Damian Gonzales is excited to be apart of the Perform America-TX, LLC team in the role of Director of Operations. Damian has spent the three years preceding his most recent appointment with PAT in the group travel industry, working with groups on both domestic and international tours.

Prior to his work in travel, Damian served as the director of bands at both Grisham and Pflugerville Middle Schools. Under his direction, his ensembles received superior ratings at UIL in each of this 13 years of teaching and both schools were invited to perform at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, WA. In addition to directing the varsity groups at each school, Damian assisted with the non-varsity groups and led all woodwind beginner classes.

Alongside to being on the PAT team, Damian is also a team leader with SASI – The Leadership People working at both their university camps and site based camps across the state. Damian received his music education from The University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with a degree in Music Studies in 2004. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and he is a Life Member of the Texas Exes. Damian currently lives in Cedar Park, TX with his wife Jessica, and sons, Jason and Trey.

After spending 31 years as a Texas music educator, Mr. Alvarado recently retired as Director of Bands & Fine Arts Coordinator at Lake Highlands High School in the Richardson ISD.  He also taught in the El Paso, Plano and Garland ISD, most notably creating an award-winning program at Rowlett High School. His marching bands and concert bands were consistent UIL Sweepstakes Award winners, finalists in Area competitions and made six appearances at the Texas UIL State Marching Contest. The Rowlett H.S. Wind Ensemble was also a two-time TMEA Honor Band finalist.  In addition, Mr. Alvarado’s jazz bands achieved acclaim on the local and national level including performances at the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic and the International Association of Jazz Education Conference. The Rowlett Brass Quintet was also an invited ensemble at the 2007 Midwest Clinic. In 2015, the Rowlett Band program received the “Exemplary Band Award” from the Texas Bandmasters Association.

Mr. Alvarado earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music Education degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce.  Professional affiliations include membership in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Wind Symphony from 2009-2011 and is currently serving as a committee member for the Lone Star Youth Winds. Mr. Alvarado remains active as a consultant, clinician and adjudicator.

Scott Coulson recently retired as Director of Bands at Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas. He was the director since the school’s opening in 1986. Prior to his tenure at Poteet, Mr. Coulson was an assistant band director at North Mesquite High School. He holds both a Bachelor and Master of Music Education degree from East Texas State University, where he studied under James Keene.

Under his direction, the Poteet High School bands received the University Interscholastic League’s “Sweepstakes” Award for twenty- three consecutive years. In 2008, the Poteet Honors Band was named the TMEA State 4A Honor Band. In 2009, the Poteet Honors Band was the recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s “Sudler Flag of Honor”, and was named the Texas Bandmasters Association’s Exemplary High School Band Program in 2010.
His marching bands also excelled, winning Best in Class and Best in Contest awards at marching festivals in the North Texas area. The Pirate Band won the Texas UIL 4A State Marching Championship three times under Mr. Coulson’s tenure: 1997, 2005, and 2007, and was a state finals medalist 6 times.

Mr. Coulson’s affiliations and awards include: Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, President of Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity- Alpha Chapter, past Concert and Marching Band Vice President of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, American School Band Director’s Association, and was named to the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s “Legion of Honor” in 2005.

In March of 2011, Mr. Coulson was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association at their annual convention in Norfolk, Virginia.

Don Haynes served as the Director of Bands at LBJ High School in Austin, Texas for 40 years. During his tenure, the LBJ Band performed across the globe including ambassador trips to Beijing, China, London, England, Paris, France, and Rome, Italy. Mr. Haynes was awarded the prestigious – Texas UIL “Denius Award” in 1994, which is presented to Texas’ top UIL sponsors. While teaching at LBJ High School, his colleagues selected him “Teacher of the Year” four times. He was recognized as the Outstanding Community Leader (Austin) in 2015. He is frequently invited to conduct region bands in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Florida. Mr. Haynes is past president of the Board of Directors for the Texas Bandmasters Association. He has held offices in the Texas Music Educators Association, the TMEA Advisory Board, and the UIL State Sightreading Advisory Committee. He serves on the board of directors – “Longhorn Band Legacy Foundation” for the University of Texas Longhorn Band, and Panoramic Voices Choir of Austin, Texas.

Under his leadership, the Jaguar Band’s awards and accomplishments are numerous – The LBJ Bands have won first place honors in statewide and nationwide music festivals, including the first Fiesta Bowl Music Festival held in Phoenix, Arizona. The band consistently won sweepstakes honors at UIL marching and concert performances. Mr. Haynes is often invited to adjudicate regional and area marching and concert competitions in Texas. He has on several occasions given clinics and speeches at music conventions designed to assist young teachers in the profession. Mr. Haynes shares that his greatest accomplishment is influencing thousands of young people through his love for music, his dedication to excellence, and his commitment to creating a “band family” for 40 years at LBJ High School – known across central Texas as The One, The Only, LBJ Jaguar Band.

Following an illustrious 42 years (total) of teaching high school band, Don has become a certified Life Coach. Assisting hundreds of students, band parents and colleagues in the band profession over the past four decades, he has become a special confidant for professionals, as well as young students who are in hopes of crafting their future. He specializes in group and individual conflict resolution, and serves as a motivational speaker across the state of Texas.

During the spring of 2017 – Don served as the Interim Fine Arts Director for Austin Public Schools. As interim leader, Don assisted the department in continuing the affairs of band, orchestra, guitar, and visual arts programs for Austin ISD. School year 2017 – 2018 Don is serving the Austin ISD Fine Arts department as the Instrumental Music Coordinator.

David Jennison is the former the Assistant Director of Fine Arts for the Round Rock Independent School District where he supervised and supported the instrumental music programs. Prior, he was the Associate Director of Bands at Westwood High School from 2002 to 2015 where he conducted the Wind Symphony, Concert Band and was Associate Conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra. During his tenure at Westwood these ensembles were consistent sweepstakes winners and the Warrior Marching Band qualified for the 2014 Texas State Marching Band Contest for the first time in school history. Additionally, Mr. Jennison assisted at Grisham Middle School with their Honor Band.

Throughout his time at Westwood, ensembles from Westwood High School and Grisham Middle School performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and as TMEA honor ensembles. Mr. Jennison has had the great honor of guest conducting these fantastic musicians for many prestigious performances. In 2015 Jennison became the Associate Music Director and Conductor of the Vivace Youth Orchestra which serves the greater Round Rock, Georgetown and central Texas area. A native of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Mr. Jennison attended New Mexico State University and the University of Northern Colorado. Mr. Jennison is a member of the Texas Music Administrators Conference, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and is an active member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association.

Manuel C. San Luis retired from public education in 2017, and was with Leander ISD for 22 years, and with the Cedar Park Middle School band program since the school was built in 1995, and has been the head band director since 1997. Manuel San Luis graduated with high honors from Southwest Texas State University in 1983, and was in the University Honors Program. He continued post graduate work at the Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.

From January thru June of 2019, Mr. San Luis taught in Seoul, South Korea as an interim band director for the Seoul Foreign International School. He is a sought-after clinician, judge, and consultant. Mr. San Luis considers himself a life-long learner and educator.

The Cedar Park Middle School Band program under his direction has been consistent UIL Sweepstakes award winners, and has been invited twice to the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago — in 2007 with the Symphonic Band, and in 2011 with the Saxophone Ensemble. In 2008, Cedar Park Middle School was awarded the John Philip Sousa Sudler Cup, an international award for being “a junior high school band program of the highest quality”. In addition, the CPMS Bands have received Superior ratings, Best In Class and Overall Outstanding Band awards at festivals across the state for many years. The Symphonic Band has been national winners in the Mark Of Excellence National Wind Band Honors in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 (Nine consecutive years), under the direction of Mr. San Luis. In addition, the Symphonic Band has advanced to the TMEA Area Honor Band process every eligible year since the school opened. In 2006, the Symphonic Band advanced to the state hearing for TMEA Honor Band. In 2014, the program was chosen as the Texas Bandmasters Association “Exemplary Middle School Band Program”.
Mr. San Luis is also the co-founder, along with Mr. Chris Yee, of “Cedar Park Winds”, an adult community band in central Texas.

Mr. San Luis is a member of TMEA, TBA, TMAA, and Phi Beta Mu, and was recognized in 2014 by “School Band and Orchestra – SBO” magazine as the Texas honoree for “Directors Who Make a Difference”. He considers himself honored and privileged to have had many great mentors, friends and band directors as strong and vital influences during his career. Above all, he considers his students throughout his 34 year career as his greatest inspiration.

Stuart Shulman is a full-time visual designer, educator, clinician, husband, and father. Writing drill and designing shows for over fifteen years, Stuart has designed competition shows and drill for multiple state finalists across the country.

Drawing inspiration from his 20 years of teaching and Drum Corps involvement, Stuart has been influenced by some of the best designers and educators in the world. He is currently the Visual Designer for the World Class Drum Corps Genesis. and is on the Education Team for Ultimate Drillbook. Previously, Stuart taught the Santa Clara Vanguard, The Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment and The Academy drum corps.

Stuart holds a Master of Music in Conducting from Texas A&M University-Commerce (TAMUC) and a Bachelor of Music Education from Ottawa University. Before becoming a full time marching arts designer, Stuart was the Assistant Director of Bands at TAMUC and was a high school band director in Texas where his bands consistently received UIL Sweepstakes and were also Finalists at the UIL State Marching Championships.

Stuart currently resides in Frisco, Texas, with his wife Rachel, their two children Ryker and Sloan, and their three dogs; Jazzy, Phoebe and Dani.

Carla Summers taught choir at Oak Ridge High School in the Conroe Independent School District for 9 years. She graduated from the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin with a choral music education degree. While at UT Austin she studied voice with David Small and sang with the University of Texas Chamber Singers and Choral Arts Society under the direction of Dr. James Morrow. Carla taught voice privately and worked with Murchison Middle and Hill Country Middle School choirs as well as with the Atascocita High School choral program. Piano was Carla’s initial instrument at the age of 6, and regularly accompanies choral, vocal, and instrumental ensembles for concerts and competitions.  She currently accompanies voices lessons at The University of Miami and chorus ensembles from the Robert Morgan Educational Center. Carla currently lives in Miami, Florida while her husband is pursuing his doctorate degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Miami.

Jerry Junkin is the Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin and is recognized as one of the world’s most highly regarded wind conductors. He serves as Music Director and Conductor of the Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia and as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony. In 2005 Jerry was presented the Grainger Medallion by the International Percy Grainger Society in recognition of his championing of Grainger’s works. Jerry Junkin is an enthusiastic advocate of public school music education, having conducted All-State bands and festivals in forty-eight states and on five continents.

Dr. Gene Peterson is the Director of Choral Studies at California Baptist University Collinsworth School of Music. His diverse and extensive background in both academic and church music contexts supports his leadership in international performance events and tours, as well as choral arts ensembles, worship ensembles, graduate choral conducting and vocal programs at CBU.   Dr. Peterson’s breadth of expertise and experience, engaging and articulate teaching, and passion for mentoring the next generation of musicians is apparent through his work in the academy, the church as well as his work around the world.

Jeffrey Grogan is an internationally acclaimed conductor and teacher currently serving as Director of Orchestral Activities and Professor of Music at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music and as Artistic Director of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras. He has served as adjudicator, conductor, and clinician for many prestigious national and international events. In 2018 he was invited by the LA Philharmonic to conduct with Gustavo Dudamel and Michael Morgan at Disney Hall. Mr. Grogan’s orchestras have performed in some of the greatest concerts halls in the world, including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Musikverein & Konzerthaus in Vienna, Sydney Opera House, and Smetana Hall in Prague. Jeffrey Grogan is a Yamaha Corporation Master Educator.

Kerry Taylor currently serves as Director of Bands for Westlake High School and Fine Arts Director for Eanes ISD. Mr. Taylor is in his 35th year as a band director in the Texas public schools; five years in Katy ISD and 30 in Eanes ISD, a small community just five miles from downtown Austin. He is currently the Music Director and Conductor of the Waterloo Wind Band, a community band in Austin comprised of musicians aged 16-80. He is a graduate (BM in 1981 and MM in 1982) of the University of Texas at Austin.

During his tenure at Westlake HS, the band has travelled extensively and performed in 6 different states and 8 different countries. On January 2, 2017 the Westlake Chaparral Band performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. This was their second appearance (2003) in this parade. The Westlake Wind Ensemble has performed in Carnegie Hall, the 2002 and 2013 Midwest Clinic, the American Bandmasters Association and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. In addition, the Westlake Band has made concert tours to the Pacific Northwest, Canada, western Europe, and the British Isles.

In 1997 the John Philip Sousa Foundation presented the Westlake Band with the Sudler Flag of Honor and, in 2010, the Sudler Shield. The band was recently named one of two programs to be awarded the inaugural Phi Beta Mu-Earl D. Irons “Program of Distinction”.

Mr. Taylor is active as a clinician and adjudicator in Texas and states throughout the South. He has served the Texas Music Educators Association in many positions including President 2005-2006) of the 10,000+ member organization. His other professional memberships include Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Phi Beta Mu, National Band Association and the American Bandmasters Association (ABA). He is currently co-chair of the Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Composition Award Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for the ABA.  He has received the Bandworld’s “Legion of Honor” (2013), the University Interscholastic League’s “Sponsor of Excellence Award” (2014) and the Texas Bandmasters Association’s “Meritorious Achievement Award” (2016).

Susan Williams taught orchestra in the Texas public schools for 38 years. Her first teaching job was in her home town of Corpus Christi, Texas. She then moved to the Austin area and taught at LBJ High School in AISD for 19 years. Her most recent teaching home was at Westwood High School in the Round Rock Independent School District for 16 years.

Orchestras under her direction consistently received top scores at Texas UIL Concert and Sightreading competitions.

Notable honors were four TMEA Honor Orchestras and a performance at the Midwest International Music Convention in Chicago:

• 1995-1996 Full Honor Orchestra LBJ High School
• 2005-2006 Full Honor Orchestra Westwood High School
• 2009-2010 Full Honor Orchestra Westwood High School
• 2012-2013 String Honor Orchestra Westwood High School
• 2013-2014 Full Orchestra Performance at Midwest

Recently retired, Susan is enjoying teaching and conducting in a variety of venues. When not on the podium or in the classroom, she and her husband Frank are on the road in their RV, seeing as much of the United States as they can.

Robert Stovall has devoted thirty-three years to the Texas Public School System as well as four years in the Private Education arena. A Past President of the Texas Music Educators Association, Mr. Stovall is currently the Director of Music and Worship Arts at First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth. While in the education field, Robert’s choirs were awarded UIL sweepstakes, festival grand champions, and Convention Performance invitations throughout his career. Most recently, Mr. Stovall was recognized by his peers of the Texas Choral Directors Association by receiving the TCDA Choral Excellence Award in 2015.

Mr. Stovall has served the state in several different capacities. His involvement in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and most recently, The Texas Music Administrators Conference, have allowed Mr. Stovall the opportunity to promote fine arts throughout the state. He continues to serve as Site-Chair for both regional and national ACDA conventions.

Mr. Stovall is an active adjudicator, speaker, clinician, and conductor both on the state and national level.

In his current position, Mr. Stovall conducts Choral Union four of the many performing ensembles recognized at FUMCFW, including the parent ensemble, Choral Union. He is responsible for staff and all fine art activities in the fine arts of the church. A native of West Texas, Mr. Stovall graduated with both a Bachelors of Music Education and Masters of Music Education from Angelo State University. Mr. Stovall’s choirs have been honored with five invitations to perform at the TMEA convention. He is married to wife, Cindy. They have two sons, Parker, of Midland, Texas, and Austin, of Stephenville, Texas. Robert and Cindy also are proud grandparents to Ryder and Jaxon, sons of Parker and Bonnie Stovall.

Mr. Keith Bearden, Professor Emeritus, retired from Texas Tech University in May 2003 after 23 years as, director of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland and Associate Director of Bands.  In addition, he conducted the University Symphonic Band, the Court Jesters Basketball Band,  played trumpet in the Faculty Brass Quintet, taught classes in conducting/music education, and co-directed the Texas Tech summer music camps.

Professor Bearden began his teaching career at a small Texas school in Jayton, TX.   After only one year of teaching, he was drafted into the military.  He served his country in the USAF Academy Band and had the honor of performing as principal trumpet in the Air Force Academy concert band and brass quintet. He was also a member of the Falconaires Jazz Ensemble.  Following his completion of military service, he enjoyed six more successful years of public school teaching in Albany, and at Lubbock Monterey.  His bands were consistent winners in concert, marching, jazz on both state and national levels. In 1979 he was honored by Phi Beta Mu as Texas’ Outstanding Young Bandmaster.  In 1980 he was appointed associate director of bands and director of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland” at Texas Tech University.

During his distinguished tenure at Texas Tech University, Professor Bearden was honored as Outstanding Faculty Member by Omicron Delta Kappa and Mortar Board, and in 1999 his Goin’ Band from Raiderland received nation’s highest award for collegiate marching bands, the Sudler Trophy, presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.  He was honored for his service as camp director of the Texas Tech summer band and orchestra camp. Other honors include the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal, Texas Tech’s Department of Residence Life’s Professing Excellence Award, the Lubbock Independent School District’s Meritorious Service Award, the Texas Tech Committed of Champions Meritorious Service Award, The Goin’ Band Alumni Ken Porter Service Award, the Texas Tech Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award, and the Texas Tech School of Music’s Distinguished Alumni Award.  He has also received the Texas Bandmasters Lifetime Meritorious Achievement Award.  In 2013, he was inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame.

With a heart for helping develop the skills of young musicians, Professor Bearden remains active as a guest clinician/conductor for numerous schools as well as honor groups across the United States.  Most recently, he has conducted honor all state bands in Kansas, Arkansas and will conduct a virtual a New Mexico all state band in January of 2021. He is very active as an adjudicator in both concert and marching competitions across the country. He serves as concert band and jazz ensemble adjudicator for Festival Disney in Orlando each spring.  At the international level, he is a member of the board and is chair of the judge’s bureau for the World Association of Marching Show Bands.  International judging assignments were recently in Demark, Ireland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Thailand and the Philippines. In the summer of 2020, he was an international judge for the world’s first virtual parade in Malaysia, which involved 26 marching bands.   He sponsored band director tours to Japan in 2014, 2016 and 2018 for school visitations and to observe teaching/rehearsal techniques.

Professor Bearden is Executive Secretary for Texas UIL Region 16.   He is the immediate past president of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Beta Mu Alpha chapter (Texas) and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Memberships include the Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha, and a lifetime membership in Kappa Kappa Psi.  In addition to serving on the board of the John Philip Sousa Foundation, he has been a loyal member of the Sudler Trophy, Sudler Shield and the Sudler Legion of honor selection committees.

Outside of music, Professor Bearden enjoys family, golf, camping and classic cars.  His wife, June, is a retired middle school band director.  They are members of the Lakeridge United Methodist Church in Lubbock.  They have two sons and four grandchildren living in Lubbock, TX and Jakarta, Indonesia.