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Joni Perez spent 19 years serving The Woodlands High School Band and 13 years as Director of Bands for the highly accomplished and well-respected program. Perez conducted the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band as well as The Woodlands High School Marching Band.
Under her leadership, the concert and marching ensembles received exclusively superior ratings from the University Interscholastic League from year to year. The Woodlands High School Wind Ensemble was a featured ensemble at the prestigious Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference held in Chicago, Illinois (2012). The Woodlands High School Wind Ensemble was also recognized as a National Wind Band Honors Mark of Excellence Winner.
During Perez’s tenure as Director, TWHS marching ensembles earned six consecutive appearances at either the 5A or 6A Texas State UIL Marching Band Championships (2010-2020). The marching band was a regular participant, finalist, and champion at Bands of America Regional, Super Regional, and Grand National Championships. In 2013, The Woodlands High School Band was recognized as the Bands of America Grand National Champion.
As a result of these various accomplishments and scholastic accolades, the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity recognized Perez as the Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year in 2013. In 2018, more highly-acclaimed recognition followed when the John Philip Sousa Foundation recognized The Woodlands High School Band by awarding them the highly-coveted Sudler Shield. Most recently in 2019, Perez was honored with the Award of Excellence for her many years of contributions to the band world from the National Band Association. In addition, TWHS Band program was named an NBA Blue Ribbon of Excellence Winner for the 2019-2020 school year for its successes and leadership as a total band program over many consecutive years.
Perez attended the University of Houston earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education (2005). While at the University of Houston, she was afforded the opportunity to learn from musically respected giants such as Eddie Green, Tom Bennett, David Bertman, and John Benzer. Perez was a Drum Corps International (DCI) mellophone member with The Cadets of Bergen County and aged out on the year of a DCI World Championship victory.
Perez was an original cast member of the Tony Award-winning and Emmy nominated production, Blast! As an original London cast member, she toured four years performing on both horn and mellophone. She also completed two separate US performance tours and was a featured solo performer in both the Broadway and Disney productions.
Perez has served as a DCI brass-staff member for the Blue Knights (2003-2004), leading the brass program from 2005-2007. She has also served as a brass instructor and consultant to The Cavaliers and Madison Scouts. Most recently, she was named a Brass Consultant with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps.
Perez is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the National Band Association. She served on the Bands of America Advisory Committee, the UIL Rules Committee, and the Sudler Shield Selection Committee. She is an active clinician, consultant, and judge around the state and country. Perez resides in The Woodlands, Texas with Brian Perez, her husband of 16 years, and their two kitties Ziggy and Biskitt.