Fine Arts administration, Teachers, & Staff
PHILLIP BARRAZA
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About the Fine Arts Director,
Phillip Barraza is the Director of Fine arts for EPISD. He received his Bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University and his Master's degree in education from UTEP. Mr. Barraza began his career as a television news reporter in Nebraska and locally at KVIA. Several coincidences guided him into becoming a theatre, dance, video, speech/debate teacher at Desert View Middle School where he created award winning programs on the local and national level. After 9 years at the middle school, he became the Student Activities Director/Cheer Coach and eventually assistant principal at Bel Air High School where he helped create successful leadership, fine arts and academic programs. Most recently, he served as the administrator for the Ysleta High School Early College Academy. |
Erin Evans
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More About Erin,
Erin Evans received her Bachelor of Music for Vocal Music Education from UTEP and later her Master's degree in Educational Administration, also from UTEP. Ms. Evans began teaching in EPISD at Canyon Hills Middle School where she taught 6th-8th grade choir and piano for 3 years. She then moved on to teach elementary music at Polk and Lundy Elementary where she served more than 1300 students and directed two honor choirs composed of 3rd and 4th grade students for the next 4 years. Through encouragement from her campus Active Learning Leaders at the time, Ms. Evans decided to venture into the educational realm of being an instructional coach. For 4 years, Ms. Evans was the Active Learning Leader (ALL) at Cooley Elementary. In her time there she has not only become certified in reading for grades 4-8, but also has become ESL certified in order to better serve the ever growing and diverse group of English Language Learners that are in EPISD. She came back to Fine Arts in the fall of 2020 and became one of two Mobile Melodies Elementary music teachers that service students in 2nd grade at campuses across the district. In her 14 years as an educator in EPISD, Ms. Evans has had the pleasure to not only work closely with the fine arts teachers of the district, but also the core content teachers to bridge music and core subjects in the classroom. Currently, she is also the music ministries director at St. Luke United Methodist Church.
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More About Andrea, Andrea Smith received her bachelor's degree from UTEP and a Master's in Education from the University of Phoenix. After graduation, Mrs. Smith spent three years living in Brussels, Belgium where she fell in love with Art. Upon returning to El Paso, she took a teaching position at Armendariz Middle School. During her time at Armendariz, she had the opportunity to teach Science, Math, and Visual Arts. After seven years at Armendariz, Mrs. Smith transferred to MacArthur Intermediate, where she taught Visual Arts for PK-8th grade students. In 2017, Mrs. Smith, her husband and daughter moved to Austin, Texas. While in Austin, Mrs. Smith served as the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Manor Independent School District. There she collaborated with the community to showcase student artwork at local businesses. After a year in Austin Mrs. Smith returned to EPISD, where she served as an Assistant Principal at Collins Elementary and Green Elementary. Having served as an administrator, who taught both core and visual arts as a teacher she understands the importance of teaching the whole child and the positive impact Fine Arts has on the students of EPISD. |
Mark saenz
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More About Mark,
Mark Saenz is the Instrumental Music Facilitator for the El Paso Independent School District. He received his Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education from New Mexico State University. In 2001, Mr. Saenz began his teaching career at Coronado High School as an assistant director and in 2012 became the Director of Bands. Throughout his eighteen year tenure, the Coronado Band received many recognitions including appearances at the UIL State Marching Band Contest and TMEA State Honor Band Finals, as well as being awarded the New Mexico State Tournament of Bands Grand Champions. Mr. Saenz is a performing member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other music groups in the El Paso area. Mr. Saenz has a beautiful wife, two boys and a girl. |
A.J. Cueto
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More About AJ,
AJ Cueto is an all around Production and Media Technician for EPISD Fine Arts. He studied Audio Production at the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, in Phoenix, AZ. Learning from some amazing Studio & Live Engineers like Kieth Morris (Earth, Wind, & Fire; Kiss), Jeffery Thomas (Eagles; Smashing Pumpkins) and Alan Leggett (Britney Spears; Blink-182). After Graduating from C.R.A.S. in 2012, he then worked as the Tech Director and Lead Audio Engineer for 6 years at a large church in El Paso, Tx. He was in charge of all production and multiple auditoriums. He would also oversee and produce many large tours which he would mix. AJ joined EPISD Fine Arts in 2018. He creates all original Fine Arts Media Content that includes all graphic's, video's, photo's and more. He maintains all social media and website content for Fine Arts. On occasion he will assist EPISD Community Engagement or any other EPISD Department that needs production help, as well as run live events as an Auditorium Manager and audio engineer. In addition, he also works with and trains Teachers, Students, and Administrators in all aspects of production. |
Samantha Crotte
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More About Samantha,
Samantha Crôtte began her career with El Paso ISD in 2007 and is currently the Program Assistant for the Fine Arts Department. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Park University. As the Program Assistant, she works behind the scenes to assist the Director and Facilitators with all the planning and daily functions that go into running the Department and operating Fine Arts events throughout the District. |
javier aguilera
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More About Javier,
Mr. Aguilera began working in EPISD since 2010 as a student worker. He is now the Theater Manager for the Fine Arts Department. He holds a Master's of Science from the University of Texas at El Paso and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in biosciences. As Theater Manager, Javier both guides and works with the professional theater technicians in operations related to the auditoriums and theaters in the district. He also assists staff across the district with technical aspects of their live events within the auditorium. |
MOBILE MELODIES - MUSIC TEACHERS
LAURIE PEREZElementary Music Mobile MelodiesLaurie Perez is an Elementary Music Mobile Melodies Teacher with the El Paso ISD Fine Arts Department. She is a graduate of Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota where she received two Bachelor of Science Degrees, one is Music Education K-12 Comprehensive and another in Elementary Education K-6 and a minor in Art Education. She began teaching in 1981 and her teaching experience includes, Elementary Orchestra, Elementary Classroom Music, High School Band and Choir, and Grades 1-5 self-contained classroom.
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About MOBILE MELODIES
EPISD is fortunate to have two outstanding music specialists - Laurie Perez and Erin Evans - who provide quality music instruction to 2nd grade students on all EPISD Elementary campuses without music specialists.
Ms. Evans and Ms. Perez serve as mentors to all 57 elementary campuses by providing resources and ancillary materials to all teachers in Pre-K through 5th grade. Whenever possible, these teachers assist in modeling lessons and offering suggestions for using music with other content areas.
Ms. Evans and Ms. Perez serve as mentors to all 57 elementary campuses by providing resources and ancillary materials to all teachers in Pre-K through 5th grade. Whenever possible, these teachers assist in modeling lessons and offering suggestions for using music with other content areas.
Victoria GroeningELEMENTARY ART TEACHER VAN GOVictoria (Vikki) Groening is the new Van Go! Elementary Art teacher with the EPISD Fine Arts Department. She was raised in El Paso and is a graduate of Coronado High School. She earned her BFA with a concentration in Graphic Design from the University of Texas at Arlington. After working in the graphic design field for several years, Vikki received her teaching certification through Sul Ross State University. She started the first art program at Delta Academy in 2010 working in conjunction with the Juvenile Probation Department’s Challenge Academy. Her class assisted with the annual Challenge Academy Thanksgiving Day parade float, an Ascarate park mural (with artist Jesus “Cimi” Alvarado), and many Art Contests and exhibitions through the Juvenile Probation Department and EPISD. Vikki is very excited to start her new chapter with the Van Go! Art Program.
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Laura CadenaELEMENTARY ART TEACHER VAN GO |
ABOUT van go mobile art
EPISD offers the "Van Go" Mobile Art and Reading Classroom. This highly successful and popular program is introduced in the 3rd grade and is particularly successful in showing the relationship of art to core subjects such as reading and writing. "Van Go" brings art history, reading and hands on art to students several times a year through our two mobile art classrooms. This program is particularly successful in integrating the arts into the core curriculum.
El Paso ISD Fine Arts
Professional Theater Technicians
Luis Rios[email protected]Alan Terrazas[email protected] |
Dominic Diaz[email protected]Agustin Martinez[email protected] |
Kian Sasser[email protected]Ivan Lom Legarreta
[email protected] |
FINE ARTS music LIBRARY
Jackie Nunez[email protected]
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senior clerkMs. Núñez attended The University of NM in Albuquerque and majored in Organizational Learning and Instructional Technology. She moved to El Paso in 2009 with her family and became a substitute teacher for EPISD. Eventually, she transitioned to a full-time employee supporting special education students at Polk and Kohlberg Elementary schools.
Jackie believes in fine arts education and its positive effects on students' academics and their overall well-being. She looks forward to serving the EPISD community as the Senior Clerk for the Fine Arts Department. Her love of the arts will be incorporated into managing and coordinating the Fine Arts Library, providing support for office operations and district-wide fine arts events. |
About the LIBRARY
The EPISD Fine Arts Library is a long running and well established music library offering resources to El Paso teachers since at least 1950. Offering resources for fine arts classrooms including: music books, Audio Visual resources, scores and music arranged for Choir, Concert Band, Elementary General Music, Full Orchestra, Guitar, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Mariachi, Piano, String Orchestra, and UIL Sight reading. We also house a large assortment of Music and Art Posters, Drama Scripts and books, and have a Music Instrument Room with many instruments available to check out to enhance your teaching.
E.P.I.S.D. INSTRUMENT REPAIR SHOP
TONY SUBLASKYSENIOR Instrument REPAIRMAN
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Andrei BerglundMUSICAL INSTRUMENT REPAIRMAN
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JOE VILLAMusical Instrument Repairman [email protected]RUBEN Carmona MontesMusical Instrument Repairman[email protected] |
LOCATION & HOURSWe are located in West El Paso,
near The Substation. 4864 Doniphan Dr,
El Paso, TX 79922 Phone: 915-230-3500 MONDAY - FRIDAY 8am - 4:30pm SATURDAY & SUNDAY Closed |