Amy Williams is in her 26th year as an orchestra director and her 5th year at Beckendorff Junior High Orchestra in Katy ISD. Previously, she was the orchestra director at McMeans Junior High in Katy ISD (2010-2020), Frank Tejeda Middle School in North East ISD (2001-2010), and Bowie Middle School in Amarillo ISD (1999-2001).
Ms. Williams graduated from Texas Tech University in the spring of 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She began teaching in the fall of 1999 at Bowie Middle School in Amarillo, Texas. Under her direction, the Bowie Orchestra received the first sweepstakes trophy at UIL contest in the school’s 46 year history. After two years at Bowie Middle School, she moved to San Antonio to direct the orchestras at Tejeda Middle School in San Antonio. During her time at Tejeda, the orchestra earned consistent Sweepstakes Awards at UIL competitions as well as Best in Class and Overall Outstanding Orchestra at Choice Music Events each year. Under her direction, the Tejeda Middle School was named TMEA Middle School Honor Orchestra for 2007. In 2009, the Tejeda Honor Orchestra was selected to perform at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Since moving to McMeans Junior High in Katy, all MMJH orchestras have earned consistent Sweepstakes Awards at UIL each year. The MMJH string and full orchestra have advanced to the state finals in the TMEA Honor Orchestra Contest multiple times during her time as the director. In addition, the full orchestra performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December of 2014. In 2015 the MMJH string orchestra performed at TMEA as Junior High String Honor Orchestra which ranked them first in state. In 2018, the McMeans Junior High Orchestra again performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago this time as a string orchestra. She has served as a the region clinician for several regions throughout the state and in 2020 conducted the Georgia All-State Orchestra. Most recently, under her direction, the Beckendorff Junior High Orchestra was ranked first in state, naming them the 2023 TMEA JH/MS Honor Orchestra.
Ms. Williams received the Marjorie Keller Outstanding Young Orchestra Director in Texas in the spring of 2004 and was named Educator of the Month for March 2001. In February of 2016, the Houston Symphony awarded her the Spec’s Charitable Foundation Award for Excellence in Music Education. In the spring of 2019, she was named the Teacher of the Year at McMeans Junior High as well as a finalist for the Katy ISD district teacher of the year. Her professional affiliations include TMEA, TODA, and Mu Omicron. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Ruthie and her cat Xia Xuan.
Ms. Williams graduated from Texas Tech University in the spring of 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She began teaching in the fall of 1999 at Bowie Middle School in Amarillo, Texas. Under her direction, the Bowie Orchestra received the first sweepstakes trophy at UIL contest in the school’s 46 year history. After two years at Bowie Middle School, she moved to San Antonio to direct the orchestras at Tejeda Middle School in San Antonio. During her time at Tejeda, the orchestra earned consistent Sweepstakes Awards at UIL competitions as well as Best in Class and Overall Outstanding Orchestra at Choice Music Events each year. Under her direction, the Tejeda Middle School was named TMEA Middle School Honor Orchestra for 2007. In 2009, the Tejeda Honor Orchestra was selected to perform at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Since moving to McMeans Junior High in Katy, all MMJH orchestras have earned consistent Sweepstakes Awards at UIL each year. The MMJH string and full orchestra have advanced to the state finals in the TMEA Honor Orchestra Contest multiple times during her time as the director. In addition, the full orchestra performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December of 2014. In 2015 the MMJH string orchestra performed at TMEA as Junior High String Honor Orchestra which ranked them first in state. In 2018, the McMeans Junior High Orchestra again performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago this time as a string orchestra. She has served as a the region clinician for several regions throughout the state and in 2020 conducted the Georgia All-State Orchestra. Most recently, under her direction, the Beckendorff Junior High Orchestra was ranked first in state, naming them the 2023 TMEA JH/MS Honor Orchestra.
Ms. Williams received the Marjorie Keller Outstanding Young Orchestra Director in Texas in the spring of 2004 and was named Educator of the Month for March 2001. In February of 2016, the Houston Symphony awarded her the Spec’s Charitable Foundation Award for Excellence in Music Education. In the spring of 2019, she was named the Teacher of the Year at McMeans Junior High as well as a finalist for the Katy ISD district teacher of the year. Her professional affiliations include TMEA, TODA, and Mu Omicron. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Ruthie and her cat Xia Xuan.
Viran Vuu is in his 19th year as a public music educator with 16 years of orchestra teaching experience and will be start his second year as the assistant orchestra at Beckendorff Junior High School in Katy ISD. He comes with experience working in Spring Branch ISD as the assistant band director at Spring Oaks Middle School (2020-2022), the orchestra director of Spring Wood High School (2015-2020), Spring Oaks Middle School (2013-2015), V.W. Miller Intermediate (2007-2013) in Pasadena ISD, and as the assistant director of orchestra/piano at Johnston Middle School (2006-2007) in Houston ISD.
Mr. Vuu graduated from the University of Houston Moores School of Music in the spring of 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. In his journey as a teacher, he has taught and developed Title 1 programs to be award winning ensembles that have earned superior and sweepstakes UIL ratings.
Mr. Vuu is member of TODA and TMEA. He is an active musician (trumpet) that performs in Houston area community orchestras, ensembles, and churches. In his spare time, he spends it with his wife Katie, daughter Julia, son Daniel, and two dogs, Summer and Loki. His hobbies besides music include fishing, crafting, cooking, and gaming.
Mr. Vuu graduated from the University of Houston Moores School of Music in the spring of 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. In his journey as a teacher, he has taught and developed Title 1 programs to be award winning ensembles that have earned superior and sweepstakes UIL ratings.
Mr. Vuu is member of TODA and TMEA. He is an active musician (trumpet) that performs in Houston area community orchestras, ensembles, and churches. In his spare time, he spends it with his wife Katie, daughter Julia, son Daniel, and two dogs, Summer and Loki. His hobbies besides music include fishing, crafting, cooking, and gaming.
Kevin Hulipas is entering his second year of teaching as an assistant orchestra director of Beckendorff Junior High in Katy ISD. Prior to this position, Mr. Hulipas graduated from the University of Texas at Austin where he received his bachelors in Music Studies with an Instrumental Emphasis.
While at UT Austin, he was involved with the UT String Project as a teacher and orchestra conductor, the Austin Youth Orchestra as a sectional coach, the UT Lab Orchestra as the associate conductor during their 2022-2023 season, and the UT ASTA Chapter where he held the position of Vice-President from 2021-2022. Mr. Hulipas's current professional affiliations include the Suzuki Association of the Americas, TODA, and TMEA where he is an active member and participant.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Hulipas is a violist that enjoys playing in local community orchestra and ensembles while running his private studio. During his spare time, he enjoys cooking, reading, and writing and spending time with his dog Lilly.
While at UT Austin, he was involved with the UT String Project as a teacher and orchestra conductor, the Austin Youth Orchestra as a sectional coach, the UT Lab Orchestra as the associate conductor during their 2022-2023 season, and the UT ASTA Chapter where he held the position of Vice-President from 2021-2022. Mr. Hulipas's current professional affiliations include the Suzuki Association of the Americas, TODA, and TMEA where he is an active member and participant.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Hulipas is a violist that enjoys playing in local community orchestra and ensembles while running his private studio. During his spare time, he enjoys cooking, reading, and writing and spending time with his dog Lilly.