David J. McGrath has directed high school bands the past thirty-six years in the states of Michigan, Georgia, and Texas. He holds a BA from DePauw University and an MA from Eastern Michigan University. He was the Director of Bands at Klein Cain High School from 2017-2023. He was the first director at the school and lead them to their first state performance in school history. McGrath also served as Program Coordinator for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2016-2019, and recently accepted the role of Program Coordinator for the 2023 Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps, located in Diamond Bar, CA.

Kelsey Blanscet is joining the Klein Oak band as the Associate Director of Bands after seven

years at Klein High School in Spring, Texas. At Klein, she conducted the Symphonic Band, co-
directed the Klein Marching Band, taught AP music theory, and conducted the pit orchestra for the annual musical production. Additionally, Ms. Blanscet served as the Fine Arts Department Chair, co-lead the Klein Band Leadership program, and sponsored the Klein High chapter of Texas Future Music Educators.

​

A native Texan, Ms. Blanscet grew up in Leander, Texas. Before coming to Klein, she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. At UT, she studied saxophone with Harvey Pittel and Dr. Stephen Page, conducting with Dr. Robert Carnochan and Dr. Scott Hanna, and music education with Dr. Bob Duke and Dr. Amy Simmons. She enjoyed performing with many ensembles including the UT Wind Ensemble, UT Saxophone Ensemble, Longhorn Band and Pep Band, and many more. Ms. Blanscet is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters  Association, the North American Saxophone Alliance, and is an alumna of the Mu Theta chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. Ms. Blanscet is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Music Education through the American Band College at Central Washington University.

Jesus Burciaga is currently the assistant band director at Klein Oak High School. A native of El Paso, Texas, he obtained his Bachelor of Music with a minor in Education in 2019 and Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting in 2022, both from the University of Texas at El Paso. While at UTEP, he played in several top musical ensembles, including the UTEP Marching Miners, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band 1. He was also part of the 2018 TMEA performance by the UTEP Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Bradley Genevro. During his graduate studies, he served as a teaching assistant and conducted athletic and concert bands while also assisting with music courses. Mr. Burciaga is grateful for the opportunity to have started his teaching career at Klein Oak in 2022 and is committed to helping the program thrive.

Mike Royer currently serves as the Percussion Director for the Klein Oak High School Band. Mr. Royer has been the Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director at Sunnyvale High School in Dallas, Texas from 2016-2019 and Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, Texas from 2019-2023. Royer holds a bachelor’s in music educaLon from McNeese St. University as well as a Masters in Percussion Performance from the University of Arizona. From 2008-2010 he was a member of the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, and 2011-2012 member of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. During his time at McNeese, Royer was the percussion director at Sam Houston, Sulphur, and A. M. Barbe High School’s in the Lake Charles area and from 2012-2013 served as the undergraduate assistant with The Pride of McNeese Marching Band. He has also served on the percussion staff at Legends Drum and Bugle Corps from Kalamazoo, Michigan from 2014-2019. Mike is a graduate of Klein High School and excited to be back in his hometown!

Terry joins the Klein Oak band family as Color Guard Director. He is a recent transplant from Dallas, TX where he lived for 9 years.  After the 2022-23 school year, Terry took a year off from teaching to explore a new career path, but ultimately decided to return to teaching! 

Originally from Charlottesville, VA, Terry moved to Dallas in 2014 to advance his career as a color guard educator. He was a member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps color guard in 2009, and 2012-2014. During his time in Dallas, Terry worked with various color guard programs including Marcus High School, The Colony High School, and finally Keller High School. Additionally, he has worked as a clinician, technician, and choreographer for other programs in Texas and beyond, including the James Madison University Nuance Winter Guard in Harrisonburg, VA.