Administrative
Michael Jones
Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps
Drum Corps Director
Mr. Michael Jones is excited to be returning as the Associate Corps Director and Staff Coordinator. In his inaugural year with Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps, he was instrumental in helping redesign the education program. His work with the members and staff were key in the success of the Corps’ transition to El Paso Texas.
Michael is in his 19th year of military service as an Army Bandsman. In addition to his job as a Soldier, he’s in his first year as an Assistant Director at Captain John L. Chapin High School. In his first season, the Marching Band recently received straight superior ratings at the Region 22 University Interscholastic League contest.
Michael has been involved with the marching arts for over 22 years now. He has taught various high school, college, and drum corps groups and conducted clinics all over the country. Michael has been a part of numerous musical organizations, including the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps and Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. In his early years of teaching, Michael worked for the Fred J. Miller Student Leader and Drum Major clinics, which helped shape his approach to teaching music. Michael recently finished a certification in project management, and is excited for the future of Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps.
Caitlyn Collette
Arsenal Performing Arts, Inc.
Logistics / Housing Coordinator
Beginning her teaching career in 2018, Caitlyn currently serves as an Assistant Director at Montwood High School. A few accomplishments during her first few years of teaching include: the band qualifying for the UIL State Marching Contest for the first time in history and receiving division 1’s at UIL and SISD Concert and Marching Contests.
In the Spring of 2021, Caitlyn received her Master’s Degree in Conducting at the University of Texas at El Paso with a 4.0 GPA. She graduated from UTEP in December 2017, cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. During her time as an undergraduate, she played in multiple ensembles including the Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Early Music Ensemble, the Basketball Pep Band and the Marching Miner Band. In these various ensembles, Ms. Collette has held leadership positions such as being the Head Drum of the Marching Band for two years, conducting the Basketball Pep Band for two years and playing as the principle flutist in the Orchestra and Wind Symphony for multiple years. Caitlyn has worked with other music students to revive the Alpha Chi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at UTEP, a music service fraternity. She served as President for the Alpha Chi chapter during the colonization period and after the official induction in 2016-2017. She has also served with the Student Government Association in 2015-2016 as a Senator at Large, representing 1000 plus students and their concerns on campus.
She currently plays piccolo with the Roswell Symphony orchestra in Roswell, New Mexico. In her spare time, Caitlyn gives private lessons to local students in the El Paso area. She is currently serving as the music caption head for Ethereal Winds, an indoor wind ensemble in El Paso, TX. Her past teachers and mentors include: Barbara Lambrecht, Kenny Capshaw and Dr. Ronald Hufstader. She is currently a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Outside of the band world, she loves, food, hiking and traveling the world with her dog, Bolt.
Victoria Rodriguez
Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps
Parent Coordinator
Victoria was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and is a Sr. Operations Manager for Merck Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Programs. Fueled by her love for the musical arts, she has supported and aided in the success of many programs in the El Paso Area. She selflessly volunteers her time to ensure everything is ready for students to be successful in practices and competitions. Her ambition is to be a follower of Christ, the best mother possible to her son, Nathaniel, and to help directors, parents, and students realize their potential in all they do.
Victoria has served the Del Valle Learning Community Bands in El Paso, Texas, for seven years. During her time there, she has helped parents and students by supporting them and their journey in the fine arts. She is often referred to as the parent liaison. She is the Treasurer of the Del Valle Band Parent Association and the DV Indoor Percussion Organization. Her roles and responsibilities are more than just balancing the books. In addition, she assists the directors with organizing the many competitions that the Del Valle High School Band program sponsors and hosts - from hauling equipment, cooking food, and helping prepare parent and student contest/travel day itineraries; she pours her heart into the community she loves.
Victoria also volunteered with Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps during their 2022 season, assisting with the Arsenal “Bomb Squad Bistro”.