Perform America-TX specializes in organizing seamless, worry-free travel experiences for school bands, choirs, and performing arts groups across the nation.
(281) 886-7690
Email: PATinfo@perform-america.com
Perform America TX, LLC
5517 Louetta Rd., Suite B - Spring, TX 77379
Edward Lopez, known to most as “Eddie,” is the owner of Perform America–TX, LLC, a nationally recognized student travel company; founder of Global Initiative for Talented Students (GIFTS), a nonprofit supporting students in academia, athletics, and the arts; and co-owner of Ultimate Drill Book (UDB), which provides educational tools for marching ensembles. Since 2010, UDB’s products have reached over 100,000 students and educators worldwide. Eddie brings extensive experience from more than a decade in the travel industry and from leading ensembles on national and international trips. In 2021, he and Perform America received the Music Industry Award from the Texas Bandmasters Association for their longstanding support of music education. A former Associate Director of Bands at Hendrickson High School, Mr. Lopez directed the award-winning marching band and Symphonic Winds, both earning top honors at UIL and Bands of America events. His ensembles performed at the International Midwest Clinic and received the Citation of Excellence National Winner Award from the Foundation for Music Education. A University of Texas at Austin graduate (B.M.E., 2008), Eddie was recognized as a Cactus Good Fellow, finalist for Most Outstanding Student, and served as the youngest-ever president of both the Longhorn Alumni Band and Texas Cowboys Alumni Association, where he remains Executive Director. He actively supports the Arc of Austin, Special Olympics, and UT-related organizations, and has established a scholarship through the Butler School of Music.
Michael Zook, Director of Choirs, Vandegrift High School, is a native Texan who grew up and attended high school in Kingwood, Texas. He received his Bachelors in Music Education from Texas Tech University in 2003, and Masters in Administrative Leadership from Concordia University in 2015. After college Michael worked for a church in Klein for 2 years as the Youth Worship Pastor before starting his teaching choir directing career in Spring ISD. He taught Twin Creeks MS for 5 years before moving to Clements High School in Sugarland, Texas. After teaching for 2 years at Clements HS as the Assistant Choir Director, Michael was hired to be the Head Choir Director at Vandegrift High School in 2011. This is Michael’s tenth year as the Head Director of the choir program at Vandegrift High School. In 2016 the VHS Chorale Women’s Choir was chosen to sing at TMEA and SWACDA, and National ACDA in 2019. He is proud to be a Viper and has a genuine love for teaching and singing. He also likes to spend his free time fishing, cooking, eating, leading worship at his home church, and sings with the Conspirare Symphonic Choir in Austin, Texas.
Damian Gonzales is excited to be apart of the Perform America-TX, LLC team in the role of Director of Operations. Damian has spent the three years preceding his most recent appointment with PAT in the group travel industry, working with groups on both domestic and international tours. Prior to his work in travel, Damian served as the director of bands at both Grisham and Pflugerville Middle Schools. Under his direction, his ensembles received superior ratings at UIL in each of this 13 years of teaching and both schools were invited to perform at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, WA. In addition to directing the varsity groups at each school, Damian assisted with the non-varsity groups and led all woodwind beginner classes. Alongside to being on the PAT team, Damian is also a team leader with SASI – The Leadership People working at both their university camps and site based camps across the state. Damian received his music education from The University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with a degree in Music Studies in 2004. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and he is a Life Member of the Texas Exes. Damian currently lives in Cedar Park, TX with his wife Jessica, and sons, Jason and Trey.
After spending 31 years as a Texas music educator, Mr. Alvarado recently retired as Director of Bands & Fine Arts Coordinator at Lake Highlands High School in the Richardson ISD. He also taught in the El Paso, Plano and Garland ISD, most notably creating an award-winning program at Rowlett High School. His marching bands and concert bands were consistent UIL Sweepstakes Award winners, finalists in Area competitions and made six appearances at the Texas UIL State Marching Contest. The Rowlett H.S. Wind Ensemble was also a two-time TMEA Honor Band finalist. In addition, Mr. Alvarado’s jazz bands achieved acclaim on the local and national level including performances at the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic and the International Association of Jazz Education Conference. The Rowlett Brass Quintet was also an invited ensemble at the 2007 Midwest Clinic. In 2015, the Rowlett Band program received the “Exemplary Band Award” from the Texas Bandmasters Association. Mr. Alvarado earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music Education degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Professional affiliations include membership in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Wind Symphony from 2009-2011 and is currently serving as a committee member for the Lone Star Youth Winds. Mr. Alvarado remains active as a consultant, clinician and adjudicator.
Scott Coulson recently retired as Director of Bands at Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas. He was the director since the school’s opening in 1986. Prior to his tenure at Poteet, Mr. Coulson was an assistant band director at North Mesquite High School. He holds both a Bachelor and Master of Music Education degree from East Texas State University, where he studied under James Keene. Under his direction, the Poteet High School bands received the University Interscholastic League’s “Sweepstakes” Award for twenty- three consecutive years. In 2008, the Poteet Honors Band was named the TMEA State 4A Honor Band. In 2009, the Poteet Honors Band was the recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s “Sudler Flag of Honor”, and was named the Texas Bandmasters Association’s Exemplary High School Band Program in 2010. His marching bands also excelled, winning Best in Class and Best in Contest awards at marching festivals in the North Texas area. The Pirate Band won the Texas UIL 4A State Marching Championship three times under Mr. Coulson’s tenure: 1997, 2005, and 2007, and was a state finals medalist 6 times. Mr. Coulson’s affiliations and awards include: Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, President of Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity- Alpha Chapter, past Concert and Marching Band Vice President of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, American School Band Director’s Association, and was named to the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s “Legion of Honor” in 2005. In March of 2011, Mr. Coulson was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association at their annual convention in Norfolk, Virginia.
Don Haynes served as the Director of Bands at LBJ High School in Austin, Texas for 40 years. During his tenure, the LBJ Band performed across the globe including ambassador trips to Beijing, China, London, England, Paris, France, and Rome, Italy. Mr. Haynes was awarded the prestigious – Texas UIL “Denius Award” in 1994, which is presented to Texas’ top UIL sponsors. While teaching at LBJ High School, his colleagues selected him “Teacher of the Year” four times. He was recognized as the Outstanding Community Leader (Austin) in 2015. He is frequently invited to conduct region bands in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Florida. Mr. Haynes is past president of the Board of Directors for the Texas Bandmasters Association. He has held offices in the Texas Music Educators Association, the TMEA Advisory Board, and the UIL State Sightreading Advisory Committee. He serves on the board of directors – “Longhorn Band Legacy Foundation” for the University of Texas Longhorn Band, and Panoramic Voices Choir of Austin, Texas. Under his leadership, the Jaguar Band’s awards and accomplishments are numerous – The LBJ Bands have won first place honors in statewide and nationwide music festivals, including the first Fiesta Bowl Music Festival held in Phoenix, Arizona. The band consistently won sweepstakes honors at UIL marching and concert performances. Mr. Haynes is often invited to adjudicate regional and area marching and concert competitions in Texas. He has on several occasions given clinics and speeches at music conventions designed to assist young teachers in the profession. Mr. Haynes shares that his greatest accomplishment is influencing thousands of young people through his love for music, his dedication to excellence, and his commitment to creating a “band family” for 40 years at LBJ High School – known across central Texas as The One, The Only, LBJ Jaguar Band. Following an illustrious 42 years (total) of teaching high school band, Don has become a certified Life Coach. Assisting hundreds of students, band parents and colleagues in the band profession over the past four decades, he has become a special confidant for professionals, as well as young students who are in hopes of crafting their future. He specializes in group and individual conflict resolution, and serves as a motivational speaker across the state of Texas. During the spring of 2017 – Don served as the Interim Fine Arts Director for Austin Public Schools. As interim leader, Don assisted the department in continuing the affairs of band, orchestra, guitar, and visual arts programs for Austin ISD. School year 2017 – 2018 Don is serving the Austin ISD Fine Arts department as the Instrumental Music Coordinator.
Daniel Morrison is currently an MBA Candidate at the USC Marshall School of Business in Los Angeles, California (‘23), Partner at Apartment 3C Productions, Founder of Morrison Creative Consulting and the former Director of Bands at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas. He is also the Founder of Happy, Not Satisfied®, a lifestyle brand focused on finding joy in each moment while simultaneously striving for growth and improvement personally, professionally, creatively, and beyond. Under his leadership and Creative Direction at Reagan from 2015-2021, the band won several of the most competitive marching arts contests in the country, and in 2019 set the record for the highest score in BOA Regional/Super Regional history. In addition, the band performed in the Macy’s Parade in New York City, and the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California as well as at The Midwest Clinic, an international conference in Chicago, Illinois. He was named the 2020 Young Band Director of the Year in the state of Texas. Daniel attributes his professional success to the Happy, Not Satisfied® mindset that he spent 11 years cultivating as a high school band director. He diligently instilled the ideals of the mindset in thousands of students and saw firsthand the undeniably positive impact these values had on them, not just in band, but in all areas of their lives. This same mindset has helped him overcome roadblocks in his personal life, leading to stronger mental and physical health, more meaningful relationships, and a more positive outlook on life. Daniel now uses the Happy, Not Satisfied® approach to help others live a healthier, happier, more productive, and more fulfilling life as Host of the Happy, Not Satisfied podcast, and as a public speaker.
Larry Shane, a National Board Certified teacher, received his Bachelors degree in Music from the University of Miami in 1991 and his Masters degree in Education from the University of Central Florida in 2004. He is currently in his ninth year as the Band Director at West Boca Raton HS (Boca Raton, FL), with previous experience teaching high schools in both Florida and North Carolina. Over the last 29 years, Mr. Shane’s ensembles have consistently received “Superior” ratings in all music performance assessments at both the District and State levels. In the spring of 2018, the West Boca Wind Ensemble was invited to and performed at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival held in Indianapolis. In both 2016 and 2020, the West Boca Band traveled overseas acting as ambassadors for both Palm Beach County and the entire State of Florida with performances in the London New Year’s Day Parade in London, England. Mr. Shane was honored by his peers as he was named “Teacher of the Year” at West Boca Raton HS during the 2016-17 school year. Outside of school, Mr. Shane has been on the music faculty of the Carolina Crown (Ft. Mill, SC) as a brass instructor since 2006. During his tenure with the corps, Crown has won 7 overall Jim Ott Awards for Best Brass Performance as well as the 2013 DCI World Championship. Before joining Carolina Crown as an instructor, he was on the brass staff of the Blue Knights (Denver, CO) as well as Dutch Boy (Kitchener, ONT, Canada). Mr. Shane is a former soprano (trumpet) soloist with both the Florida Wave (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and Blue Devils (Concord, CA) and is a former drum major of the University of Miami “Band of the Hour”. Mr. Shane currently lives in Wellington, FL with his beautiful wife Randi and their three children Zachary, Dylan, and Rebecca.
Stuart Shulman is a full-time visual designer, educator, clinician, husband, and father. Writing drill and designing shows for over fifteen years, Stuart has designed competition shows and drill for multiple state finalists across the country. Drawing inspiration from his 20 years of teaching and Drum Corps involvement, Stuart has been influenced by some of the best designers and educators in the world. He is currently the Visual Designer for the World Class Drum Corps Genesis. and is on the Education Team for Ultimate Drillbook. Previously, Stuart taught the Santa Clara Vanguard, The Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment and The Academy drum corps. Stuart holds a Master of Music in Conducting from Texas A&M University-Commerce (TAMUC) and a Bachelor of Music Education from Ottawa University. Before becoming a full time marching arts designer, Stuart was the Assistant Director of Bands at TAMUC and was a high school band director in Texas where his bands consistently received UIL Sweepstakes and were also Finalists at the UIL State Marching Championships. Stuart currently resides in Frisco, Texas, with his wife Rachel, their two children Ryker and Sloan, and their three dogs; Jazzy, Phoebe and Dani.
Carla Summers began her choral teaching career in 2008 at Oak Ridge High School of Conroe, Texas. She conducted the non-varsity and varsity levels of treble and mixed ensembles, and assisted with the tenor-bass choirs. She also collaborated with local schools in Region 9 as a choral and instrumental pianist for solo and ensemble competitions and musicals. She played piano for students at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, taught private voice and piano to middle school and high school students around Miami-Dade County, and co-directed with the Children’s Voice Chorus (now known as Vocal Youth Miami) alongside founder and director Jamie Sutta. She is regularly hired as a pianist at schools in the Northwest Arkansas region and collaborates with voice and instrumental studios at the University of Arkansas. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in collaborative piano at the University of Arkansas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Music in Music Studies with an emphasis on choral education.
Jerry Junkin is the Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin and is recognized as one of the world’s most highly regarded wind conductors. He serves as Music Director and Conductor of the Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia and as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony. In 2005 Jerry was presented the Grainger Medallion by the International Percy Grainger Society in recognition of his championing of Grainger’s works. Jerry Junkin is an enthusiastic advocate of public school music education, having conducted All-State bands and festivals in forty-eight states and on five continents.
Dr. Gene Peterson is the Director of Choral Studies at California Baptist University Collinsworth School of Music. His diverse and extensive background in both academic and church music contexts supports his leadership in international performance events and tours, as well as choral arts ensembles, worship ensembles, graduate choral conducting and vocal programs at CBU. Dr. Peterson’s breadth of expertise and experience, engaging and articulate teaching, and passion for mentoring the next generation of musicians is apparent through his work in the academy, the church as well as his work around the world.
Jeffrey Grogan is an internationally acclaimed conductor and teacher currently serving as Director of Orchestral Activities and Professor of Music at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music and as Artistic Director of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras. He has served as adjudicator, conductor, and clinician for many prestigious national and international events. In 2018 he was invited by the LA Philharmonic to conduct with Gustavo Dudamel and Michael Morgan at Disney Hall. Mr. Grogan’s orchestras have performed in some of the greatest concerts halls in the world, including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Musikverein & Konzerthaus in Vienna, Sydney Opera House, and Smetana Hall in Prague. Jeffrey Grogan is a Yamaha Corporation Master Educator.
Kerry Taylor currently serves as Director of Bands for Westlake High School and Fine Arts Director for Eanes ISD. Mr. Taylor is in his 35th year as a band director in the Texas public schools; five years in Katy ISD and 30 in Eanes ISD, a small community just five miles from downtown Austin. He is currently the Music Director and Conductor of the Waterloo Wind Band, a community band in Austin comprised of musicians aged 16-80. He is a graduate (BM in 1981 and MM in 1982) of the University of Texas at Austin. During his tenure at Westlake HS, the band has travelled extensively and performed in 6 different states and 8 different countries. On January 2, 2017 the Westlake Chaparral Band performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. This was their second appearance (2003) in this parade. The Westlake Wind Ensemble has performed in Carnegie Hall, the 2002 and 2013 Midwest Clinic, the American Bandmasters Association and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. In addition, the Westlake Band has made concert tours to the Pacific Northwest, Canada, western Europe, and the British Isles. In 1997 the John Philip Sousa Foundation presented the Westlake Band with the Sudler Flag of Honor and, in 2010, the Sudler Shield. The band was recently named one of two programs to be awarded the inaugural Phi Beta Mu-Earl D. Irons “Program of Distinction”. Mr. Taylor is active as a clinician and adjudicator in Texas and states throughout the South. He has served the Texas Music Educators Association in many positions including President 2005-2006) of the 10,000+ member organization. His other professional memberships include Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Phi Beta Mu, National Band Association and the American Bandmasters Association (ABA). He is currently co-chair of the Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Composition Award Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for the ABA. He has received the Bandworld’s “Legion of Honor” (2013), the University Interscholastic League’s “Sponsor of Excellence Award” (2014) and the Texas Bandmasters Association’s “Meritorious Achievement Award” (2016).
