Jesse D. Espinosa, Director of Bands
jespinosa2@kleinisd.net
Jesse D. Espinosa
Jesse D. Espinosa is our Director of Bands at Klein Forest High School. He most recently served as the director of bands at S. P. Waltrip High School in Houston ISD, where he also served as the assistant band director. He credits much of his approach and knowledge to his former band director and colleague, Mr. Charlie Stephens. Mr. Espinosa or better known as, "Mr. E", has taught instrumental music at the high school level for 20 years. He received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Performance degree at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. He then earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. Previous to beginning his career as a music educator, Mr. Espinosa served in the United States Army Band at Ft. Knox, KY as a trumpet player. He also attended the United States Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA, where he was the honor graduate. Mr. Espinosa was honorably discharged with the Army Commendation Medal in 2002.
He is married to his high school band sweetheart, Celena Espinosa, for 22 years. They have two children, Jesse Adam (16) and Isabel (14), who are both involved in the performing arts. Jesse Espinosa was most recently recognized as a Grammy Music Educator of the Year Quarterfinalist in 2021, along with being named Teacher of the Year at his former campus in 2020. His marching bands have been consistent UIL Sweepstakes winners, along with advancing to the UIL Area Contest for many years. The concert groups under his direction have also been awarded the UIL Sweepstakes Award for their stage and sight-reading performances. Mr. Espinosa also brings a wealth of experience and expertise in jazz education. His jazz bands have been award-winning ensembles at many local, regional, state and national jazz festivals, which includes many individual all-star awards for his students.
Mr. E is an active member of TMEA, TBA, NAfME, JEN and is currently the new President-Elect of the Texas Jazz Educators Association (TJEA). He is also a big supporter of our local sports teams along with being an active member of his church and community.
Jesse D. Espinosa
Jesse D. Espinosa is our Director of Bands at Klein Forest High School. He most recently served as the director of bands at S. P. Waltrip High School in Houston ISD, where he also served as the assistant band director. He credits much of his approach and knowledge to his former band director and colleague, Mr. Charlie Stephens. Mr. Espinosa or better known as, "Mr. E", has taught instrumental music at the high school level for 20 years. He received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Performance degree at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. He then earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. Previous to beginning his career as a music educator, Mr. Espinosa served in the United States Army Band at Ft. Knox, KY as a trumpet player. He also attended the United States Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA, where he was the honor graduate. Mr. Espinosa was honorably discharged with the Army Commendation Medal in 2002.
He is married to his high school band sweetheart, Celena Espinosa, for 22 years. They have two children, Jesse Adam (16) and Isabel (14), who are both involved in the performing arts. Jesse Espinosa was most recently recognized as a Grammy Music Educator of the Year Quarterfinalist in 2021, along with being named Teacher of the Year at his former campus in 2020. His marching bands have been consistent UIL Sweepstakes winners, along with advancing to the UIL Area Contest for many years. The concert groups under his direction have also been awarded the UIL Sweepstakes Award for their stage and sight-reading performances. Mr. Espinosa also brings a wealth of experience and expertise in jazz education. His jazz bands have been award-winning ensembles at many local, regional, state and national jazz festivals, which includes many individual all-star awards for his students.
Mr. E is an active member of TMEA, TBA, NAfME, JEN and is currently the new President-Elect of the Texas Jazz Educators Association (TJEA). He is also a big supporter of our local sports teams along with being an active member of his church and community.
Rich Gaukin, Associate Director
rgaukin1@kleinisd.net
Rich Gaukin is happy to be returning to Klein Forest for his 11th year. Before teaching in Klein ISD Mr. Gaukin taught 2 years in Pasadena ISD and 1 year in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Mr. Gaukin graduated from Cleveland State University in 2008 with a degree in Music Education. In his time at Cleveland State, he had the opportunity to perform with an array of different performance groups including the Either/Orchestra, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and was a founding member of the Neo Tessarus Saxophone Quartet. In his free time he enjoys playing golf and studying Ferling Etudes. He lives at home with his wife and fellow music educator Chelsea Waschek-Gaukin and his cat Linus.
Rich Gaukin is happy to be returning to Klein Forest for his 11th year. Before teaching in Klein ISD Mr. Gaukin taught 2 years in Pasadena ISD and 1 year in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Mr. Gaukin graduated from Cleveland State University in 2008 with a degree in Music Education. In his time at Cleveland State, he had the opportunity to perform with an array of different performance groups including the Either/Orchestra, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and was a founding member of the Neo Tessarus Saxophone Quartet. In his free time he enjoys playing golf and studying Ferling Etudes. He lives at home with his wife and fellow music educator Chelsea Waschek-Gaukin and his cat Linus.
Mason Coats, Assistant Director
mcoats1@kleinisd.net
Mason Coats is starting his 11th year as a band director and his 5th at Klein Forest High School. Previously, Mason had been the Associate Band Director at Hastings High School in Alief ISD since 2016, as Interim Assistant Band Director at Seven Lakes High School in Katy ISD since 2015, and as Assistant Band Director at J. B. Martin Middle School in Luling, LA
since 2013.
Mason is originally from Thibodaux, LA and graduated from E. D. White High School in 2009. He graduated from the University of Louisiana - Monroe in 2013 where he studied under Dr. Micah Everett (Low Brass) and Dr. Jason Rinehart (Assoc. Director of Bands). Mason student taught at West Monroe High School in West Monroe, LA.
While at ULM, Mason was part of many different ensembles performing on tuba, double bass, and bass guitar. In 2010, he marched in the Tuba Section of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps where he learned from Jason Rinehart and Wayne Dillon. In 2009, Mason was initiated into the Epsilon Theta chapter of National Honorary Band Fraternity - Kappa Kappa Psi, and has held the leadership roles of Secretary and Vice President. Mason has held continuous membership since 2016 with TMEA and TBA and continues to attend clinics and conventions to become the best teacher he can become for
his students.
Mason has taught the tuba section of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps during their 2015 season, led tuba master classes on All-State Etudes, and taught Low Brass sectionals at Region 23 Honor Band. He loves to work with students in small ensembles and on solos - especially on brass instruments.
Mason enjoys travel, the outdoors, cooking, and listening to music. He lives with his wife, Amanda, and two dogs: Sawyer and Mingus.
Mason Coats is starting his 11th year as a band director and his 5th at Klein Forest High School. Previously, Mason had been the Associate Band Director at Hastings High School in Alief ISD since 2016, as Interim Assistant Band Director at Seven Lakes High School in Katy ISD since 2015, and as Assistant Band Director at J. B. Martin Middle School in Luling, LA
since 2013.
Mason is originally from Thibodaux, LA and graduated from E. D. White High School in 2009. He graduated from the University of Louisiana - Monroe in 2013 where he studied under Dr. Micah Everett (Low Brass) and Dr. Jason Rinehart (Assoc. Director of Bands). Mason student taught at West Monroe High School in West Monroe, LA.
While at ULM, Mason was part of many different ensembles performing on tuba, double bass, and bass guitar. In 2010, he marched in the Tuba Section of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps where he learned from Jason Rinehart and Wayne Dillon. In 2009, Mason was initiated into the Epsilon Theta chapter of National Honorary Band Fraternity - Kappa Kappa Psi, and has held the leadership roles of Secretary and Vice President. Mason has held continuous membership since 2016 with TMEA and TBA and continues to attend clinics and conventions to become the best teacher he can become for
his students.
Mason has taught the tuba section of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps during their 2015 season, led tuba master classes on All-State Etudes, and taught Low Brass sectionals at Region 23 Honor Band. He loves to work with students in small ensembles and on solos - especially on brass instruments.
Mason enjoys travel, the outdoors, cooking, and listening to music. He lives with his wife, Amanda, and two dogs: Sawyer and Mingus.
Feliciano Montoya, Percussion Director
fmontoya1@kleinisd.net
Feliciano Montoya is entering his second year as percussion director at Klein Forest High School. He started playing guitar at 10 years old. His music career would really start once he joined the band at Waltrip High School, where he played guitar in the jazz band. He started playing percussion at this time as well.
Feliciano went to Blinn College in Brenham, where he studied with Dr. Sarah Burke and Todd Quinlan and graduated with an associate’s degree in music. He chose percussion as his focus, but played guitar in the school’s jazz band and bass in the combo. Feliciano was then chosen to direct a second jazz combo at the school after interest rose to the point of having too many students for one combo. It was also during college that Feliciano would start performing around Houston in a jazz combo with his friends, and working with percussion students at various schools during marching season.
After graduating from Blinn, Feliciano started teaching private lessons and working as the percussion instructor for Waltrip High School. Eventually, Feliciano started working at St. Jerome Catholic School, where he would work for 5 years teaching steel drum band during the school day and teaching lessons privately after school.
In addition to percussion, Feliciano teaches guitar, bass, and jazz improvisation to any students who are interested in playing in a jazz band at Klein Forest. Feliciano also took audio production and live sound courses at HCC, and helps students from other Klein Forest fine arts programs learn to run live sound.
Feliciano is currently enrolled in classes at UHD to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.
Feliciano Montoya is entering his second year as percussion director at Klein Forest High School. He started playing guitar at 10 years old. His music career would really start once he joined the band at Waltrip High School, where he played guitar in the jazz band. He started playing percussion at this time as well.
Feliciano went to Blinn College in Brenham, where he studied with Dr. Sarah Burke and Todd Quinlan and graduated with an associate’s degree in music. He chose percussion as his focus, but played guitar in the school’s jazz band and bass in the combo. Feliciano was then chosen to direct a second jazz combo at the school after interest rose to the point of having too many students for one combo. It was also during college that Feliciano would start performing around Houston in a jazz combo with his friends, and working with percussion students at various schools during marching season.
After graduating from Blinn, Feliciano started teaching private lessons and working as the percussion instructor for Waltrip High School. Eventually, Feliciano started working at St. Jerome Catholic School, where he would work for 5 years teaching steel drum band during the school day and teaching lessons privately after school.
In addition to percussion, Feliciano teaches guitar, bass, and jazz improvisation to any students who are interested in playing in a jazz band at Klein Forest. Feliciano also took audio production and live sound courses at HCC, and helps students from other Klein Forest fine arts programs learn to run live sound.
Feliciano is currently enrolled in classes at UHD to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.
Austen Smith, Guard Director
asmith7@kleinisd.net
Austen Smith BIO COMING SOON!
Austen Smith BIO COMING SOON!