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  Our Directors   

Natalia Albacete, WLMS Head Director
Natalia Albacete

Director of Bands

Natalia Albacete is in her 14th year of teaching in Humble ISD. Her undergraduate in Music Education was earned at Lamar University and she completed her MA in Band Studies at Sam Houston State University. Fun fact: after Lamar, she graduated from Disney University where she completed an internship and studied Entertainment, Show Production and Development. 

 

Ms. Albacete began her professional career at River Pines Elementary, where she began the first Trash Can Band and earned Teacher of the Year in 2013.  As a band director, Ms. Albacete has earned consistent Sweepstakes and "Best in Class" Awards at West Lake Middle School and has been a teacher of the year finalist 5 times. The West Lake Middle School Honors Band was also named the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors AA winner in 2021. Ms. "A" has served the band community as an invited presenter for several clinics and trainings for music educators and was published in the Southwestern Musician Magazine in Sept. 2021. Her professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Young Band Directors of Texas, and the National Band Association. 

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Elijah Simbajon

Assistant Band Director

Mr. Simbajon is currently in his first year of teaching. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Sam Houston State University, where he served as the Principal Trumpet in the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, as well as the Split-Lead Trumpet in the Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble. During his time with the Jazz Ensemble, Mr. Simbajon had the honor of contributing to the 8th studio album titled "Zamba." Additionally, he also played with the Symphonic Band for the College Band Directors National Association Southwestern Division Conference in 2022.

 

In his free time, he can be found playing volleyball, basketball, or soccer. He also enjoys practicing the piano and guitar, but recently, he’s been getting into sewing.

Cory Roberts, Associate Director
Cory Roberts

Assistant Band Director

Brian Best, AHS Head Director
Brian Best

Atascocita High School Director

​Brian Best serves as the head director of bands at Atascocita High School. Brian attended Sam Houston State University where he graduated with a bachelors of music in saxophone performance and a masters of music in instrumental music conducting. Brian has been the director of bands for perennial sweepstakes-winning Texas band programs for both middle school and high school. Under his direction, he has taken his bands to UIL Area Finals and has advanced to UIL State Marching Championships and various state ensemble festivals and contests. Brian is in demand as a judge UIL events for marching band and concert and sightreading contests, and he has also been invited to guest clinic TMEA Region Bands. As a wind band composer, Brian has had several commissioned works performed by various programs across the state.
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As a performing artist, Brian has released two contemporary solo jazz albums and is in high demand as a freelancing saxophone performer, recording artist, and music producer all over the country for many styles of music ranging from pop, dance, rock, jazz, and electric. He is also in demand as a jazz headliner in Houston and all over the country. He is also in demand as an instrumentalist for many bands in the Houston area. Brian has shared the stage with many national jazz artists, such as Allen Vizzutti, Chris Vadala, Regina Belle, Althea Rene, Marion Meadows, Gerald Albright, Bobby Lyle, and Ron Wilkins. Brian has also appeared in several television performances and as a headliner for many jazz festivals, such as the Houston Jazz Festival, Beaumont Jazz Festival, Zachary Breaux Jazz Festival, Kemah Jazz Festival, and the Michigan Jazz Festival.

In his free time, Brian enjoys video gaming and spending time with his family. Brian also enjoys writing and producing music in his spare time and highly enjoys practicing his saxophone.

Rachael Sitka, SCHS Head Director
Rachael Sitka

Mrs. Sitka is currently in her 12th year at Summer Creek High School, 6th year as Director of Bands.  She has previously taught in Aldine and Brenham ISDs and is a proud graduate of Texas Tech University.    

Summer Creek High School Director

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