KISD DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Kelli Wilson is excited to begin her third year at Kennedale High School and first year as Director of Bands. Mrs. Wilson’s duties include leading the high school marching band, conducting the high school Wind Ensemble and Jazz Bands, teaching various beginner classes, and assisting at the junior high school. Prior to teaching in Kennedale, Mrs. Wilson served 7 years in various roles throughout Alvarado ISD, such as: Head Director of Alvarado Junior High School two years and assistant at Alvarado High School. Under her direction, the Alvarado Junior High School Honor and Symphonic bands as well as the Alvarado High School Symphonic Band received multiple UIL Sweepstakes awards and first division ratings. She was also the beginning band clarinet and saxophone teacher at Alvarado Intermediate School and beginner low brass instructor at AJHS. Mrs. Wilson is a 2010 graduate of Harlingen High School. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas where she graduated in 2014 with the distinction of Summa Cum Laude. While at UNT, she studied clarinet with Mrs. Deborah Fabian, participated in the Green Brigade Marching band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band and was the conductor of the Secondary Band. Her professional affiliations include: Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmaster’s Association, Association of Texas Small School Bands, and Mu Phi Epsilon. When Mrs. Wilson is not at the band hall you may spot her running in the wild, kayaking, hiking a mountain, or spending time with her husband, adorable miniature poodles, and not so miniature husky-poo.
ASSISTANT BAND DIRECTOR
Connor Bordelon-Ross (AKA B-Ross) is excited for another year with the Wildcat Band as the Assistant Band Director/Percussion Specialist for Kennedale HS. B-Ross’s duties will include assisting with the high school and junior high bands as well as teaching all percussion students from beginners to seniors. Prior to teaching at Kennedale, B-Ross served 5 years as Assistant Band Director/Percussion Specialist for Bridge City ISD. He directed the Middle School Symphonic Band for 2 years, and the High School Concert Band for 3 years, earning multiple UIL Sweepstakes and first division ratings. He also coordinated percussion instruction across all grade levels from sixth through twelfth grade. His percussion students have earned numerous awards at the Gulf Coast Classic competition, UIL Solo & Ensemble, TMEA All-Region and All-Area, and ATSSB All-Region and All-Area auditions. B-Ross is a 2011 graduate of B.F. Terry High School in Rosenberg, TX. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Lamar University where he graduated in 2016 with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude. While at Lamar, he performed in the Wind Ensemble, Showcase of Southeast Texas Marching Band, and various percussion ensembles. He served as section leader for the tenor line, snare line, and the Lamar University Drumline. He performed with the Wind Ensemble and Percussion Studio at the TMEA convention three times. He also performed at PASIC in 2015 in the University Drumline Competition as well as the University Percussion Ensemble Competition, winning first place in both. He is a member of TMEA, ATSSB, PAS, and Pi Kappa Lambda. When B-Ross is not at the band hall you can find him playing video games with friends, hurting himself playing sports, or spending quality time at home with his wife and their dog, Thor the Dog of Thunder.
ASSISTANT BAND DIRECTOR
Riley Irwin is thrilled to join the Wildcat Band family as the Assistant Band Director. He joins us from San Angelo, TX, where he was the head band director at Bronte High School for 2 years. Under his direction, the Bronte Band received their first UIL sweepstakes award in over 40 years. Prior to his tenure at Bronte, Mr. Irwin was the assistant band director at Clinton High School, and he has worked with a state championship winning program and several other organizations across the State of Mississippi. He began his collegiate career at Hinds Community College for two years before transferring to The University of Southern Mississippi where he received his bachelor’s of Music Education. As a Trombonist, Mr. Irwin has performed in professional organizations throughout Mississippi, including the Mississippi Wind Symphony, Belhaven Orchestra, Hinds Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Southern Miss Trombone Choir, and The Pride of Mississippi. Mr. Irwin has attended and is active with educational organizations such as the Mississippi Band Masters Association, Texas Music Educator’s Conference, and Marching Arts Clinics to enhance his professional expertise. Outside of school you will find Mr. Irwin at Orange Theory, coffee shops, playing switch, and exploring the outdoors. Mr. Irwin believes in putting his health first to be able to provide quality education to his students.