Summer 2024 Teachers

Jamie Romo, Camp Director

Jamie Romo is originally from Ardmore, Oklahoma. Jamie Romo is in her ninth year as the head orchestra director at Maus Middle School in Frisco, Texas. Prior to teaching at Maus, she was head orchestra director in Richardson, Texas for 9 successful years. Prior to teaching in Texas, Mrs. Romo taught both high school and middle school orchestra in Oklahoma. Her former orchestra students performed in such exciting places as the Oklahoma State Capitol, the Winter Park Music Festival in Colorado, the Galveston Isle Orchestra Festival, and the Disney World Music Festival in Orlando, Florida. Mrs. Romo has had several students selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. This summer, two of Mrs. Romo's students performed at the Musikverein in Vienna Austria. Many of Mrs. Romo’s former students have earned college scholarships and have pursued careers in music education. Mrs. Romo earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she received a violin scholarship to perform with the UCO Orchestra for four full years. She was fortunate enough to study violin privately with Dr. Roger Strong. Mrs. Romo hols a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from East Central University. Additionally, Mrs. Romo owned and operated Romo's Music Studio where she taught Suzuki String Classes, Kindermusik Classes, and vocal performing ensembles. Mrs. Romo is a member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association (TMAA), Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA), and the Texas Fine Arts Administrators (TFAA). Mrs. Romo enjoys judging music festivals and UIL Contests as well as serving as a clinician for groups in the area. After work, Mrs. Romo spends time with her husband Carlos, and their three children: Christian, Ava, and Abigail. Abigail is playing the violin with the Maus Middle School Orchestra this year. Christian and Ava are both in college and love to come to camp each year to be camp counselors.

Kelly Niño, Camp Director

Kelly Niño is the Head Director of Orchestras at Vivian Field Middle School. Mrs. Nino has been playing the violin for 31 years and has been teaching in public school for 26 years. She has been teaching at Vivian Field Middle school for the past 17 years. While in CFBISD, she was also an Assistant Director at DeWitt Perry Middle School for five years. Mrs. Niño received her bachelors in Music Education from Texas Woman's University where she studied with Cathy Richardson. In addition to teaching public school, she taught private lessons in Ardmore City Schools in Ardmore, OK for six years and at Westwood Junior High in Richardson, TX for 5 years. She is the Mariachi Director at Vivian Field Middle School. Additionally, she has performed with community orchestras, taught 5th grade strings through Communities in Schools in Ardmore, OK, and served as a violinist in "The Quartet". Mrs. Niño is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and Texas Orchestra Director's Association (TODA). Outside of school, she enjoys, gardening, spending time outdoors, meditating, photography, making YouTube videos, spending time with her husband, Javier, her 10th grade daughter, Sophia, and her chihuahua, Winter.

Sarah Hawley, Orchestra Teacher

Sarah Hawley grew up and went to school in Arlington, Texas. She started playing piano at 7 years old and started playing cello at 10 years old. She graduated from Arlington High School and received a music scholarship to attend the University of Texas at Arlington. During her time there, she studied cello with Dr. Elizabeth Morrow and Dr. John Burton. Also at UTA, she took individual conducting lessons with Dr. Clifton Evans. Mrs. Hawley has been teaching private lessons for over 10 years, and has had multiple private students that have qualified for All Region and be invited to State Solo and Ensemble. After graduating from UTA, she has taught orchestra in Fort Worth ISD, Lewisville ISD, and Frisco ISD. In Frisco, she has taught at both Maus and now Roach Middle School. Mrs. Hawley has had multiple of her performing ensembles receive Superior ratings at UIL throughout her teaching, and plans to continue that tradition for her current and future students. Currently, she is living in Aubrey with her husband Patrick Hawley, who also works in FISD, and her three cats. In her free time, Mrs. Hawley enjoys playing her instrument, watching shows on Netflix, hanging out with friends, and playing video games.

Ericka Pack, Orchestra Director

Mrs. Ericka Pack is in her 11th year of teaching, and has been at Webb for 6 of those years. She earned a Bachelor in Music from Sam Houston State University in 2008.Her primary instrument is cello, but enjoys playing all the string instruments. Under her direction, the Webb Orchestras have brought home several awards including UIL Sweepstakes for both Philharmonic and Symphonic Orchestras, Superior Ratings from Peak Music Festival and Southern Excellence Music Festival, and had students participate in the TMEA Region 3 All Region Orchestra. Over the last 6 years, the Webb Orchestra Program has more than doubled in enrollment, and has even opened a sister program with 5th graders at Spring Creek Elementary. One of her most honored accomplishments is receiving Teacher of the Year in 2019. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and their three children.

Jennifer Vanhook,Orchestra Teacher

Jennifer Vanhook is a native of Oklahoma. She began playing the violin at age 3 with the Oklahoma City University Suzuki program. During high school she was concertmistress for the Oklahoma Youth Symphony as well as an Oklahoma All-State Orchestra member.

She attended Austin College in Sherman, Texas where she received her bachelor’s degree in music and master’s degree in education.

Mrs. Vanhook taught at Wester Middle School in Frisco ISD where she grew the program from 35 to 200. During her tenure, the Wester Orchestra was awarded the National Mark of Excellence Award for String Orchestra, 5th-runner up for the State of Texas Middle School Honor Full Orchestra, as well as UIL Sweepstakes each year she was there. She conducts, clinics and judges orchestras throughout the DFW area. She is the lead string player in the Dallas Praise Orchestra and performs at many local churches. She is also the 1st violin for Simply Strings DFW quartet performing at weddings and events throughout the area.

Mrs. Vanhook was excited to join the Lovejoy Orchestra family in 2017. In 2018 she assumed the role of head orchestra director for the district. In her free time she enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, running and going to the movies. She lives in McKinney with her husband John, a trumpet player, and her son Joel, a cello player.

Sara Howell, Orchestra Teacher

Sara Howell began her Cello studies with Jean Schneider Goberman at the age of seven. In addition to her private studies, Ms. Howell attended the School for Strings and later The Juilliard School Pre-College Division.

Mrs. Howell is currently the Head Orchestra Director at the Austin Academy of Fine Arts in Garland ISD.

Mrs. Howell moved to Texas to attend Southern Methodist University, where she received both her Bachelor and Master degrees in Music Theory. While at SMU, she studied privately with Christopher Adkins and Ko Iwasaki. Mrs. Howell was a member of the Irving Symphony Orchestra for 21 years. She is a member of Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA).

Sean Estes, Orchestra Teacher

Sean Estes is from San Antonio, Texas and is in his third year here at Maus MS. He has been studying violin since 2006. Mr. Estes studied music at Abilene Christian University from 2014-2018, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in music, and pursued education certification in the Summer of 2018. While at ACU, Mr. Estes was the Concertmaster of the Civic Orchestra of Abilene for four consecutive years. Prior to teaching in Frisco ISD, Mr. Estes taught orchestra as the head director at Cumberland Academy Middle School in Tyler, TX during the Spring semester of 2019. Mr. Estes has performed with several professional and community ensembles as a violinist and/or violist, including the Longview Symphony Orchestra in Longview, TX, and the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving in Irving, TX. Mr. Estes is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA). Mr. Estes is very passionate about music and education, and enjoys spending much of his free time watching/playing basketball, watching his favorite show: The Office, and attending classical music concerts. Mr. Estes is married to his wife, Hannah Estes, and they have a two year old Corgi-lab named Bella.

Chassity Rauscher, Orchestra Teacher

Chassity Rauscher has been playing cello since she was 11 years old in her Elementary Orchestra Program. The following year, Chassity started playing saxophone as well as continuing her studies on cello. She played both instruments throughout high school and college participating in Region Orchestra’s and Region Band’s as well as numerous Solo and Ensemble Competitions. After graduating from Allen High School, Chassity began her Bachelor’s studies in Music Education at Texas Tech University (TTU) under the tutelage of Dr. Alex Ezerman-Cello and Mr. David Dees-Saxophone. She completed her Cello studies under Mr. Lastrapes. During her time at TTU, she performed with various chamber groups, as well as the TTU Symphony Orchestra, Goin’ Band from Raiderland, and several other groups around the area. She began teaching through the National String Project program in high school as well as during her time at TTU. Chassity was also employed with Lubbock ISD in the capacity of private cello Instructor. In May of 2010, Chassity received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and began her teaching career with Katy ISD. She went on to teach in Frisco and Denton ISD and is now currently teaching back in Frisco ISD at Roach Middle School. She is now in her 14th year of public-school teaching. Chassity also currently provides private lessons to students on Cello in her home studio ranging in age from four-year-old to seniors in high school. Chassity along with her husband, John Rauscher (Director of Orchestras at Pearson MS) have 4 wonderful children. Logan, Trinity, Ava, and the newest member Christian (CJ).

John Rauscher, Orchestra Teacher

John began his Bachelor’s studies in Music Education and Violin Performance at Texas Tech University (TTU) under the tutelage of Violin Professor - Dr. John Gilbert. During his time at TTU he gave multiple solo violin recitals in Amarillo and Lubbock, TX; performed with various chamber groups; held positions in the TTU Symphony Orchestra (SO), Plainview SO, Lubbock SO, Hobbs SO, and many other string ensembles throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. It was during his studies at TTU that John discovered his passion for music, conducting under the tutelage of Maestro Gary Lewis. In December of 2008, John graduated from TTU with his dual Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Violin Performance. Over his 16 year career, he has held positions as the Director of Orchestras at David Crockett Middle School - FBISD (3 years); Katy High School - KISD (4 years); and currently teaches at Pearson Middle School - Frisco ISD where he had the distinct privilege of starting the Pearson MS Orchestras in 2015 when the school opened its doors. John and his wife Chassity, a cellist, also run a private lesson studio out of their home where they provide Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, and Piano lessons to local students in the North Dallas area. John has a tremendous passion for teaching and building the next generation of incredible young musicians. He is extremely grateful for having such a loving family who supports him in everything he does. John and his beautiful wife Chassity (Currently Co-Director of Orchestras at Roach Middle School - Frisco ISD) met in the TTUSO and were married on May 24, 2009. They have one son, Logan-12; two daughters, Trinity-9 & Ava-4; and have a newborn son, Christian James (CJ)-7 months.

Nigel Hosein, Orchestra Teacher

Mr. Hosein is in his fourth year as the Director of Orchestras at Cobb Middle School and his eleventh year teaching overall. Prior, he was the assistant orchestra director at Wunderlich Intermediate School in Houston, TX for five years and orchestra director at Truitt Middle School in Cypress, TX for two years. While at Wunderlich, the Full Orchestra was recognized as a TMEA Honor Orchestra Finalist, ranking fourth overall. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Sam Houston State University. While in college, he was able to travel the world with the Orchestra, visiting China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. In 2008, he and his string quartet were instrumental in piloting the Orchestra program for the Imagina Children's Foundation in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. In 2009, he was the head director of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra where he lead orchestra rehearsals and taught private lessons for all string instruments. Mr. Hosein currently resides in Plano with his wife. He loves to play videogames in his spare time and enjoys cooking for his friends and family.

Maria Morales, Orchestra Teacher

Mrs. Maria Morales is in her 5th year of teaching at Webb Middle School in Garland ISD. She earned a Bachelor in Music from the University of North Texas in 2017.

Mrs. Morales' primary instrument is violin. She began playing the violin in 4th grade and and graduated from The America's High School in El Paso, Texas. Mrs. Morales enjoys performing in various chamber ensembles and orchestras in the DFW area. Since she has joined the Webb Orchestra Team, the orchestra has been able to grow! Under her direction, the Webb Orchestra has added the Philharmonic orchestra as a UIL competitive group, and brought home two consecutive Sweepstakes awards.

This will be Mrs. Morales second year as a Lake Murray Orchestra Camp Teacher. In her past time she loves to play her violin with family, go to the gym, and hang out with friends.

Mason Poirier, Bass Teacher

Javier Nino, Jr., Music Theory

Kevin Lopez, Head Camp Counselor

Kevin S. Lopez is currently the Head Camp Counselor at the annual Lake Murray Orchestra Camp in Ardmore, OK. Lopez also serves as a co-conductor of both the Middle School and High School Chamber Orchestras and is excited to return to camp for his fourth year as a counselor!

Lopez is a native Texan, born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He began playing violin at the age of 11 at Vivian Field Middle School under the direction of Kelly Nino and Eric Chui. He continued to play at R. L. Turner High School, where he was led and mentored by Christy L. Myers and Robert Pierot. In his time at Turner, Lopez consistently placed in the TMEA Region 31 Symphony Orchestra and competed at the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Competition, where he earned superior ratings. From 2016-2019, he served as the Student Orchestra Director where he assisted in teaching the Freshman and Non-Varsity string orchestras.

Currently, Lopez is a Senior at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX, majoring in String Music Education. He plays the Principal 2nd Violin in the TWU Chamber Orchestra and has accompanied both the TWU Concert Choir and Chamber Singers on Violin. In April of 2022, Lopez was named the Texas Woman’s University 2022-2023 Presser Scholar, which is awarded to one Senior Music Education Major for outstanding and exceptional performance. He currently studies Violin under Dr. Alex McKamie and String Music Education under Mrs. Diane Harper and Dr. Carter Biggers.

Lopez is active in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD as a Private Violin/Viola Teacher at Charles M. Blalack Middle School. He also has been a Collegiate Orchestra Director Aide, assisting at different campuses at both the middle school and high school levels. Most recently, Lopez had the honor of being a Substitute Orchestra Director at Creekview High School in Carrollton, TX, where he got to teach/conduct the Camerata and Philharmonic Orchestras. He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA). In his free time, Lopez enjoys being outside on a walk/hike, practicing any instrument, or spending time with friends and family.

Ava Romo, Camp Counselor/Violin

Ava Mae Romo began playing the violin as a third grader in Richardson ISD at Spring Creek Elementary. She played violin in the Maus Middle School for three years before going to be a part of the Heritage High School Orchestra. At Heritage, she performed with the orchestra for four years. While there she had the opportunity to travel with the orchestra to Disneyworld. Ava Mae has attended camp since it opened and has acted as counselor for two years.

Ava graduated from Heritage High School in 2022 and attends the University of Texas at Dallas full time. Her major is Healthcare Studies. Ava hopes to attend medical school to become a pediatric doctor in the future. Ava loves to paint, babysit, play her violin, and read. In her past time, she likes to travel and hang out with friends.

Christian Romo, Camp Counselor / Cello