Meet our Directors

Band Director

dmcgrath1@kleinisd.net

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.

Assistant Band Director

kblanscet1@kleinisd.net

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.

Associate Band Director

jburciaga1@kleinisd.net

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.

Color Guard Director

pbrown5@kleinisd.net

Pierre Brown is a nationally recognized color guard designer, choreographer, and educator with over 15 years of experience in the pageantry arts. Originally from Florida and now relocating from Atlanta, Georgia to Houston, Texas, Pierre is excited to bring his passion,creativity, and dynamic leadership to the Klein Oak Band family.

Throughout his career, Pierre has worked with a wide range of premier programs across the country, including Spirit of Atlanta, Georgia Independent, Paramount, EPIC Independent, Reverie Independent, Noir Independent, and the University of South Florida. He has taught

and designed at every level of the activity—from A Class to World Class—in DCI, WGI, and DCA, earning a reputation for inspiring excellence through powerful storytelling, elite performance standards, and a student-first approach. He is currently in his second year serving as the Co-Color Guard Caption Head for The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. Pierre is proud to join the Klein Oak HS team and looks forward to building a vibrant, high-achieving color guard program rooted in passion, creativity, and community

Percussion Director

Mr. Jack Baker comes from Fort Worth, TX, where he served as the Director of Percussion at Burleson High School. At Burleson, Jack has had students achieve every level of success in the All-State process including performing in the first All-State Percussion Ensemble at the TMEA Convention. Under his direction Burleson

made school history by making finals at the WGI World Championships in Open Class twice. Jack has instructed percussion sections that have been fortunate enough to perform across the United States at

conventions such as the Music for All Festival in Indianapolis and the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle.

Before working at Burleson High School, he taught at Azle High School where he served as the Percussion Director for 5 years. During his tenure at Azle, the ensemble was a consistent medalist in WGI and NTCA

circuit at the World Class level. He also was able to consistently have over 75% of the percussion studio advance to the UIL State Solo and Ensemble where 3 of his students received the outstanding performer award

in a two-year span, an award that is only given to the top 1% of soloists in the state of Texas.

Mr. Baker has instructed numerous groups across the state of Texas such as Austin Bowie High School in Austin, Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, and Claudia Taylor Johnson High School in San Antonio where he served as a student teacher. Mr. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Texas State

University and was in ensembles such as the PASIC Drumline, Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and the Bobcat Band Drumline. While at Texas State, Mr. Baker marched three years in the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps Drumline and was section leader his last year there. Mr. Baker is an active member of TMEA and is endorsed by Innovative Percussion and Evans Drumheads.