Allow us to introduce the brilliant minds and passionate hearts behind our band's success - the directors!
With years of experience and unwavering dedication, they lead our students on a journey of musical excellence.
Get to know the directors who inspire and guide us to reach new heights in the world of music and color guard.
Tyler Bordelon
Head Director of Bands
Director of Percussion
Kingwood Park High School
Walker Fennell
Assistant Director of Bands
Kingwood Park High School
Rosie Barron
Director of Color Guard
Kingwood Park High School
Kingwood Park High School
is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Tyler Bordelon as the new Director of Bands. In this role, Mr. Bordelon will oversee the entire band program, including directing
the marching band, conducting the Wind Ensemble, and leading additional percussion and wind ensembles at KPHS.
A native of Cypress, Texas,
Mr. Bordelon is a graduate of Cypress Falls High School.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, graduating cum laude from Sam Houston State University in December 2017. During his time at SHSU,
he studied under distinguished educators including Dr. Matthew McInturf, Dr. Brian Gibbs,
and Dr. John Lane.
​
Mr. Bordelon brings nearly a decade of teaching experience
to Kingwood Park. He began his career as Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director at Davis High School in Aldine ISD
(2017–2019), and most recently served as Associate Director of Bands and Percussion Director
at Galena Park High School
(2019–2026). Throughout his tenure, his ensembles consistently earned Excellent
and Superior ratings at UIL competitions, achieving historic first-time distinctions for
non-varsity ensembles
at both schools.
​
As a performer, Mr. Bordelon marched with Drum Corps International, performing with The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps in 2014 and aging out with The Madison Scouts in 2015.
He was also recognized internationally, earning First Prize for the USA in the 2017 Great Composers International Music Competition for “Best Chopin Performance.”
​
In addition to teaching,
Mr. Bordelon is an accomplished composer and arranger, having written music for numerous high school programs across Texas.
He has also been actively involved as both a performer and educator with the Texas Color Guard
Circuit (TCGC).
​
Mr. Bordelon is a proud artist
for Salyers Percussion and
Encore Mallets, and he is excited to continue building on the tradition of excellence at Kingwood Park High School.
​
Please join us in welcoming
Mr. Bordelon to "The Park".
Mr. Fennell first joined the Aldine High School’s band program
as the 9th grade Assistant Band Director in the 2024-25 school year and is now entering his second year. He is a graduate of Sam Houston State University where he earned his Bachelor's Degree of Music with Cum Laude academic honors.
​
At SHSU, Mr. Fennell was
a committed member of the Sam Houston Wind Ensemble under the direction of
Dr. Matthew McInturf,
Professor and Director of Bands at SHSU, as well as studying saxophone for four years with
Dr. Masahito Sugihara,
Associate Professor of Saxophone at SHSU.
During his time at SHSU,
Mr. Fennell was driven by a passion for the marching arts where he performed as a mellophone member for several DCI corps including
The Guardians (2019),
Genesis (2020–2021),
and completed his DCI performance career with the Boston Crusaders in 2022,
where he earned a silver medal.
In 2024, Mr. Fennell served as the Assistant Visual Caption Head
for the Guardians DBC and plans to continue pursuing excellence in the marching arts by bringing his skill set to Kingwood Park.
Mr. Fennell is also an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA).
Rosie Barron has had over 30 years of experience in performing arts through dance and colorguard. She has had formal training in dance at the Houston Ballet, Houston Met and Planet Funk. She has performed in various dance companies throughout the Houston area, performed for the Houston Rockets own Launch Crew
and she has also led her own dance company called
Freedom Dance Co.
Rosie was chosen by the U.S. Department of State to teach arts in the Cultural Envoy program and to act as an ambassador to the United
States in Denmark for a
month-long tour which she
has done twice.
​
She joined color guard in high school and continued competing in TCGC and
WGI competitions after.
Her performing arts experience led her to serve as a color guard director for the past seven years. She designed many winter guard and marching shows, receiving many titles
with her talented teams.
​
She is currently a Teaching Artist for Young Audiences of Houston and is also a Dance Instructor
for Diaz Music Institute.
She is also a wife and mother
to 6 children who are also participants in various performing arts programs.
She is excited to now join
the KPHS Band and serve
as the Color Guard Director.
Samantha Long
Head Director of Bands
Kingwood Middle School
Bryan Hess
Assistant Director of Bands
Kingwood Middle School
Samantha Long graduated
from West Texas A&M University
in 2013 with a degree in
Music Education. While at
West Texas A&M, she studied flute under the guidance of
Sally Turk and Helen Blackburn. She began her teaching career
in Plainview ISD, where she taught for two years before joining Galena Park ISD.
During her nine years in
Galena Park ISD, Mrs. Long’s ensembles consistently earned superior ratings and were recognized for their
musical excellence.
Mrs. Long is currently in her
third year as Head Band Director at Kingwood Middle School
in Humble ISD, where she teaches beginner band
classes and conducts the
Wind Ensemble. Under her leadership, the Wind Ensemble and Beginner Bands have earned superior ratings at
UIL and various festivals, reflecting her commitment to fostering musical achievement and a lifelong love of music
in her students.
An active member of the
Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA)
and Women Band Directors International (WBDI),
Mrs. Long is deeply grateful
for the mentors who have shaped her career, including Shane Goforth, Tom Harrington, Cindy Bulloch, Bethann Adams, and Trent Cooper.
Outside of the classroom,
Mrs. Long enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time
with her husband, Ray,
and their daughters,
Audrey and Avery.
Read all about Mr. Hess soon!