Dan Suniga
Austin
Summary
Dynamic music educator with a proven track record at Del Valle Independent School District, excelling in music instruction and rehearsal coordination. Renowned for creative choreography and innovative visual design, I have significantly enhanced student engagement and performance quality, fostering a vibrant and supportive learning environment. Passionate about elevating artistic expression through collaboration and technology.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Band Director
Del Valle Independent School District
Austin
08.2024 - Current
- OlorOrganized and conducted regular rehearsals with high school bands to prepare for performances.
- Selected appropriate musical selections for concert programming based on student abilities and interests.
- Directed musical ensembles in concerts, festivals, competitions, and other public events.
- Created high quality visual designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and intuitive for users.
- Created original choreography for performances.
- Developed and implemented training plans for new color guard members.
Assistant Band Director
Kaufman Independent School District
01.2022 - 08.2024
- Choreograph Marching Band and Colorguard productions
- Selecting contest music and instructing fundamentals of dance and theatrics
- Designing costumes, flags, and props to enhance performances
- Elevated student performance by refining band and colorguard programs.
- Fostered strong partnerships with community and school for program support.
- Introduced tech enhancements for improved music instruction and coordination.
- Managed detailed budgets and logistics for student events and travel.
- Passionately directed diverse school bands, boosting student engagement.
- Maintaining inventory and budgets, coordinating fundraising activities
- Analyzed performance data to optimize band routines and colorguard choreography.
Colorguard Director, Marching Band Designer
Carter Riverside High School, Lyford High School
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Assist Marching Band with choreography and marching technique.
- Assist with show concept and design.
- Direct and Instruct the Colorguard program in the following areas: recruiting/retention, instruction, selection of show concept/music/production, fundamentals and choreography of all equipment and genres of dance, theatrics, improvisation, and staging.
- Elevated Colorguard program, boosting recruitment and retention by innovative show designs.
Long Term Substitute, Band and Colorguard
Kaufman Independent School District
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Enhanced high school marching band show design and production
- Aligned secondary band curriculum with a focus on technology
- Instructed beginner band classes with enthusiasm and detail-focused approach
- Coordinated with faculty to integrate tech in music curriculum, enriching learning.
- Introduced digital tools for music instruction, elevating student engagement.
- Pioneered a comprehensive training system for Colorguard, setting performance benchmarks.
- Streamlined beginner band classes, ensuring consistent instructional quality.
Assistant Band Director
Sherman Independent School District
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Instruct and conduct Non Varsity concert ensemble on standard high school literature.
- Assist and instruct high school marching band in marching technique straight leg, movement, dance, choreography, conditioning, theatrics, and improvisation.
- Work closely with administration, high school staff, parent organizations, student organizations, booster club, media, and community leaders.
- Work as team member with alignment of secondary band curriculum and scope & sequence for secondary instrumental music program with a focus in technology.
- Direct the 40+ member Colorguard and Winter Guard programs in the following areas: recruiting/retention, instruction, student fees, coordination of travel, contest hosting, and parent communication.
- Maintain inventory and budgets, coordinate fundraising, and demonstrate public relations, select contest music on state and instruct fundamentals and choreography of all genres of dance, theatrics, improvisation, and staging, costume selection, flag design, and create props.
Associate Band Director
Weatherford Independent School District
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Instruct and conduct Non Varsity concert ensemble on standard high school literature including grades IV-V.
- Oversee and instruct high school marching band in marching technique straight leg, movement, dance, choreography, conditioning, theatrics, and improvisation.
- Oversee marching band design and production as coordinator of concept and music selection.
- Work closely with administration, high school staff, parent organizations, student organizations, booster club, media, web designer and community leaders.
- Work as team member with alignment of secondary band curriculum and scope & sequence for secondary instrumental music program with a focus in technology.
- Direct the 50+ member Colorguard and Winter Guard programs in the following areas: recruiting/retention, instruction, and student assessments of guard, coordinator of travel, contest hosting, and provide parent communication.
- Maintain inventory and budgets, coordinate fundraising, and demonstrate public relations, select contest music on state and national levels (NTCA and WGI) and fundamentals and choreography of all genres of dance, theatrics, improvisation, and drills select costume, design flag program, and create props, manage/mentor support staff.
Assistant Band Director
Richardson Independent School District
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Instruct and conduct Sub-Non Varsity concert ensemble on standard high school literature.
- Instruct and conduct beginner Brass, Woodwind, and Percussion pedagogy on standard beginner literature in a diverse environment.
- Oversee and instruct high school marching band in marching technique straight leg or bent leg, movement, dance, choreography, conditioning, theatrics, and improvisation.
- Oversee marching band design and production as coordinator of concept and music selection.
- Administer drill writer and music arranger meetings; parent/booster meetings regarding show production and promotion; prop committee meetings regarding the coordination and production of prop designs.
- Work closely with administration, high school staff, parent organizations, student organizations, booster club, media, web designer and community leaders.
- Work as team member with alignment of secondary band curriculum and scope & sequence for secondary instrumental music program with a focus in technology.
- Direct the Colorguard and Winter Guard programs in the following areas: recruiting/retention, instruction, and student assessments of guard coordinator travel, contest hosting, and provide parent communication maintain inventory and budgets, coordinate fundraising, and demonstrate public relations, select contest music on state and national levels (NTCA and WGI) teach fundamentals and choreography of all genres of dance, theatrics, improvisation, and drills select costume, design flag program, and create props, manage/mentor support staff.
Assistant Band Director
Belton Independent School District
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Instruct and conduct Sub-Non Varsity concert ensemble on standard high school literature.
- Assisted with instruction of high school marching band in marching fundamentals, drills, show music, and stand music.
- Worked closely with the administration, parent organization, and community leaders.
- Worked as a lead team member of marching show design and visual production.
- Team member for planning and alignment of secondary band curriculum and scope & sequence for secondary instrumental music program.
- Instructed Colorguard and Winter Guard programs in all aspects to include the 2010 WGI World Championship.
- Directed and implemented the Jazz Studies program in community and contest performances, improvisation, music history, theory, and jazz styles.
Education
Bachelorʼs of Music Education -
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Belton, TX12.2024
Masterʼs of Music Education -
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX05.2023
Skills
- Music instruction
- Rehearsal coordination
- Creative choreography
- Visual design
References
- Gerardo Loya, Head Band Director - Kaufman High School, gloya@kaufman-isd.net, 432-251-7374
- Darwert Johnson, Director of Fine Arts - Mansfield ISD, darwertjohnson@misdmail.org, 903-245-1129
- Brad Kent, Retired Band Director - UMHB, Director of Music - UIL, lambrechtr@aol.com, bkent@uiltexas.org, 915-433-6451, 214-642-0073
Certification
Texas All Level Music Certification, 2006 - 2030
Personal Information
Title: Band Director
Additional Experience
Guard Instructor, Choreographer, Production Designer, Kaufman High School, 2019-Present, Carter Riverside High School, 2019-2022, Grapevine High School, 2017-2019, Castleberry High School, 2018, S & S High School, 2019-2020, Production Designer, Lyford High School, 2019-2023, Marching Band/ Concert Band Clinician and Substitute, Grapevine High School, 2017-2019, Guard Founder and Director, Evolution Independent Winterguard, 2016, Guard Technician, Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps, 2011, Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps, 2015, 2016, Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, 2012, Guard Educational and Design Staff, TXi Independent Winterguard, 2011, 2012, Guard Caption Head, Forte Drum and Bugle Corps, 2012, Vigilantes Drum and Bugle Corps, 2010, Private Lesson Instructor (Trumpet), The University of Mary Hardin Baylor Conservatory Music Program, 2001 - 2007, Belton Independent School District, 2006 - 2007, USBands, Visual, Music Analysis, General Effect, Colorguard, 2011 - Present, TCGCJA, General Effect, Design Analysis, 2014 - 2016
Websites
Timeline
Associate Band Director
Del Valle Independent School District
08.2024 - Current
Assistant Band Director
Kaufman Independent School District
01.2022 - 08.2024
Long Term Substitute, Band and Colorguard
Kaufman Independent School District
01.2021 - 01.2022
Colorguard Director, Marching Band Designer
Carter Riverside High School, Lyford High School
01.2018 - 01.2023
Assistant Band Director
Sherman Independent School District
01.2018 - 01.2019
Associate Band Director
Weatherford Independent School District
01.2016 - 01.2017
Assistant Band Director
Richardson Independent School District
01.2011 - 01.2016
Assistant Band Director
Belton Independent School District
01.2007 - 01.2011
Bachelorʼs of Music Education -
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Masterʼs of Music Education -
Southern Methodist University
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