Amy Williams is in her 28th year as an orchestra director and her 7th 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. Under her direction, the Tejeda Middle School was named the 2007 TMEA Middle School Honor Orchestra. In 2009, the Tejeda Honor Orchestra was selected to perform at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. After moving to McMeans Junior High in Katy, the McMeans string and full orchestra advanced to the state finals in the TMEA Honor Orchestra Contest multiple times under her direction.In addition, the full orchestra performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December of 2014. In 2015 the McMeans string orchestra performed at TMEA as Junior High String Honor Orchestra. The McMeans Junior High Orchestra again performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in 2018, this time as a string orchestra. She has served as the region clinician for several regions throughout the state and in 2020 conducted the Georgia All-State Orchestra. Under her direction, the Beckendorff Junior High Orchestra was named 2023 TMEA JH/MS Honor Orchestra. In the summer of 2025, the Beckendorff Honor Orchestra again earned this title.
Ms. Williams received the Marjorie Keller Outstanding Young Orchestra Director in Texas in the spring of 2004 and was named Amarillo’s Educator of the Month for March 2001. In 2014 the Houston Symphony awarded her the Spec’s Charitable Foundation Award for Excellence in Music Education and 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 at the gym, running, and taking her dog Ruthie on new adventures. Ruthie enjoys walks in the park, playing tug and chasing lizards.
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. Under her direction, the Tejeda Middle School was named the 2007 TMEA Middle School Honor Orchestra. In 2009, the Tejeda Honor Orchestra was selected to perform at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. After moving to McMeans Junior High in Katy, the McMeans string and full orchestra advanced to the state finals in the TMEA Honor Orchestra Contest multiple times under her direction.In addition, the full orchestra performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December of 2014. In 2015 the McMeans string orchestra performed at TMEA as Junior High String Honor Orchestra. The McMeans Junior High Orchestra again performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in 2018, this time as a string orchestra. She has served as the region clinician for several regions throughout the state and in 2020 conducted the Georgia All-State Orchestra. Under her direction, the Beckendorff Junior High Orchestra was named 2023 TMEA JH/MS Honor Orchestra. In the summer of 2025, the Beckendorff Honor Orchestra again earned this title.
Ms. Williams received the Marjorie Keller Outstanding Young Orchestra Director in Texas in the spring of 2004 and was named Amarillo’s Educator of the Month for March 2001. In 2014 the Houston Symphony awarded her the Spec’s Charitable Foundation Award for Excellence in Music Education and 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 at the gym, running, and taking her dog Ruthie on new adventures. Ruthie enjoys walks in the park, playing tug and chasing lizards.
Mrs. Mindy Coneby is in her tenth year of teaching and first year as the Assistant Director of Orchestras at Beckendorff Junior High School. Previously, she served as the Head Director at Klein High School from 2025-2026 and the Assistant Director from 2021-2025. Mrs. Coneby graduated in 2017 from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music Education.
As a student at Alabama, Mrs. Coneby taught students privately, coached chamber strings and taught an adult strings class with her mentor, Dr. Anne Witt. Mrs. Coneby was named Presser Scholar for the School of Music in 2016-2017 and was awarded the Most Outstanding Senior Instrumental Music Education Major. During her time at the University, Mrs. Coneby studied violin with Jenny Grégoire, strings education with Dr. Anne Witt, and conducting with Dr. Blake Richardson.
Mrs. Coneby served her alma mater, Oak Ridge High School, as the Director of Orchestras and instructor of AP Music Theory from 2017-2021. The Oak Ridge Orchestras consistently received UIL Sweepstakes awards for both string and full symphony orchestras. Retention in the program increased, as did student success in UIL Solo & Ensemble, TMEA Region Orchestra, and TMEA All-State Orchestra, despite a feeder split. Mrs. Coneby began a scholarship program through the booster association to allow more students access to private lesson instruction. At Klein High School, Mrs. Coneby continued the longstanding tradition of musical excellence for the nationally recognized orchestra program. She believes meaningful relationships are the foundation for helping students grow both as musicians and as people.
A lifelong learner, Mrs. Coneby is a proud member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Orchestra Directors Association. Mrs. Coneby is an active performer, both as a violinist and a vocalist. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and cooking. She and her husband, Clark, live with their beloved rescue dog, Scout, and golden retriever, Bear.
As a student at Alabama, Mrs. Coneby taught students privately, coached chamber strings and taught an adult strings class with her mentor, Dr. Anne Witt. Mrs. Coneby was named Presser Scholar for the School of Music in 2016-2017 and was awarded the Most Outstanding Senior Instrumental Music Education Major. During her time at the University, Mrs. Coneby studied violin with Jenny Grégoire, strings education with Dr. Anne Witt, and conducting with Dr. Blake Richardson.
Mrs. Coneby served her alma mater, Oak Ridge High School, as the Director of Orchestras and instructor of AP Music Theory from 2017-2021. The Oak Ridge Orchestras consistently received UIL Sweepstakes awards for both string and full symphony orchestras. Retention in the program increased, as did student success in UIL Solo & Ensemble, TMEA Region Orchestra, and TMEA All-State Orchestra, despite a feeder split. Mrs. Coneby began a scholarship program through the booster association to allow more students access to private lesson instruction. At Klein High School, Mrs. Coneby continued the longstanding tradition of musical excellence for the nationally recognized orchestra program. She believes meaningful relationships are the foundation for helping students grow both as musicians and as people.
A lifelong learner, Mrs. Coneby is a proud member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Orchestra Directors Association. Mrs. Coneby is an active performer, both as a violinist and a vocalist. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and cooking. She and her husband, Clark, live with their beloved rescue dog, Scout, and golden retriever, Bear.