Band Staff

Band Staff

l to r: Tom Woody, Gordon Cloutier, Jackie Akin, Julie Casstevens, Vincent Rodriquez

Tom Woody, Director
A trumpet player from Dumas, Texas, Tom Woody graduated from West Texas State University with a Bachelor of Music Education. He has taught band for thirty three years,twenty at Thomas Jefferson High School. In addition to his duties teaching marching, symphonic, and jazz bands at TJ, he assists at Cary Middle School.

Jackie Akin, Assistant Director
A Dallas native, and Bryan Adams High School graduate, Jackie Akin holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Flute Performance from the University of Houston as well as a master's degree in Music Theory from Southern Methodist University. She has taught for fifteen years, and this is her eleventh at Thomas Jefferson. Additionally, she teaches at Cary Middle School.

Gordon Cloutier, Associate Director
Gordon Cloutier graduated from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas and holds a Bachelor's degree from West Texas State University and a Master's degree from East Texas State University. He has taught for thirty years. This is his ninth year working with the TJ Band and his seventh year as Concert Band director. He also assists at Cary Middle School. His major instrument is euphonium.

Julie Casstevens, Assistant Director
Julie Casstevens hails from Thibodaux, Louisiana where she graduated from E.D. White Catholic High School. She holds a Bachelor's degree in music education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. A woodwind specialist with emphasis on saxophone and clarinet, Mrs. Casstevens is the director at Medrano Middle School.

Vincent Rodriquez, Color Guard Instructor
A graduate of Bryan Adams High School, Vincent Rodriquez was an All-State bass clarinetist. He also attended East Texas State University. He has been at TJ for twenty one years.