Special Consultants
Andrew Hunter, D.M.A.
Education Consultant
Dr. Andrew Hunter is the Director of Bands at The University of Texas at El Paso. He joined the faculty in 2018. In his duties at UTEP, Dr. Hunter directs the Marching Miners marching band, the Basketball Pep Band, the Symphony Band, and teaches Conducting. Prior to his appointment at UTEP, Dr. Hunter served on the faculties of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received the Thomas V. Fraschillo Award for Outstanding Musicianship among faculty, Louisiana College, where he was named Professor of the Year in 2012, and public schools in Louisiana and Georgia. Dr. Hunter holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied with Dr. Catherine Rand. His doctoral dissertation focused on the wind band and chamber winds compositions of Pulitzer Prize-winning composers. He also holds the Master of Music degree from Northwestern State University, and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Hunter has worked as a clinician, adjudicator, and lecturer in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Izmir, Turkey, where he presented a seminar on American music and wind band history. His ensembles have performed across the country, most notably in Carnegie Hall in February 2018. He holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.
Mike Requena
Visual Consultant
Mike is considered a black sheep in the marching arts, he has 15 plus years of experience as a musician, visual performer and educator while working full time as a geologist in Tampa, Florida.
Mr. Requena, a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelors of Geology, has always excelled at earth science in school and his years in Boy Scouts gave him an appreciation of the outdoors, especially when working for his Eagle Rank. While his love for science has prevailed, music has always been a strong passion of his, and the marching arts only added fuel to the fire.
Mike has been preforming, teaching, and consulting for the last 15 years. His primary instruments are euphonium, trombone and tuba.
Most notably Mr. Requena was a member of Carolina Crown (2013-2014) and currently works with the Alumni Association.
Mike resides in Florida where he plays music with his band, Monument Beach, and teaches many high school marching bands through out the Tampa Bay Area while keeping with his natural roots of the outdoors.
Danny Mesa
Music Consultant
A native of Miami, Danny recently completed his 15th year of active duty service in the US Army. Currently stationed with the 1ST Armored Division Band in El Paso, TX, his roles and responsibilities include: performing as a trombonist, conductor, drum major, group leader and Head of Logistics and Resources, overseeing the unit’s inventory of instruments and unit finances.
Danny previously served on the faculty at the U.S. Army School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA where he taught and directed: the ceremonial band, concert band and chamber ensembles for the Advanced Individual Training Music Course. While at the school of music, Danny trained over 1200 Soldier Musicians, was named Cadre of the Quarter and earned the Senior Instructor Badge. Danny extends his educational role outside the Army by guest conducting at local high schools in the El Paso area, guest lecturing at universities and serving as an Educational Consultant at Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps.
Since enlisting in February of 2008 Danny has also served at: The Fort Lee Army Band, the Army Ground Forces Band and the 25th Infantry Division Band in Hawaii. As a musical ambassador, SFC Mesa has traveled around the country performing for spectators, students, Veterans, members of Congress and the 44th President of the United States.
Danny earned a Bachelor degree in Music Education from Florida International University in Miami, FL where he was the a founding drum major of the “Golden Panther Marching Band,” studied trombone with Mark Hetzler and conducting with Dr. Roby George and Dr. Greg Martin. Danny also earned a Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University.
Danny is married to Nikki and is a proud father of two boys: Robbie, 6 and Oliver,
3.
Art Jimenez
Percussion Consultant
In 2002, Mr. Jimenez graduated from Texas State University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. While at Texas State University, Mr. Jimenez was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, PASIC Indoor Drumline, Steel Pan Ensemble, and the award winning Salsa Del Rio. He was also a member of the Tarheel Sun Drum and Bugle Corp in 2000 and was a staff member of the Revolution Drum and Bugle Corp in 2003 and Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps (2019-present). Trained in percussion studies, Mr. Jimenez has been under the tutelage of Genero Gonzalez, Tony Edwards, John Lopez, Paul Rennick, Larry White, Byron Mutnick and Butch Miles. Art has had many achievements during his time in Austin ISD, El Paso ISD and Leander ISD. Some of the crowning achievement include Texas State Honor Band 5th place finalist (2010, Rouse High School), Western International Band Clinic Guest Performance (2015, Rouse High School), Western International Band Clinic Guest Performance (2012, Wiley Middle School), Lone Star Classic Drumline Finalist (2014 and 2015, Rouse High School), Lonestar Classic Drumline Finalist (2004 and 2005, Crocket High School) and has won numerous first place marching percussion awards at various marching competitions throughout Central Texas.
Currently, Art is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society. He is also a working musician who has performed internationally in China, Mexico, Scotland, England, Canada and the United States with musicians such as Carl Fontana, Johnny Rawles, Robert Van Sice, Pat “Guitar Slim” Chase, Ruben Gutierrez, Billy Townes, Subrosa Union, Gruv Crew, Rockabilly Strangers, Boss Street Brass Band, Salsa Del Rio and many more.
Art Jimenez currently owns Alamo Inspections, teaches at Hutto High School in Hutto,Texas and resides in Leander Texas with his wife Michelle and children Noah, Elijah and Evelyn.
Art was the Percussion caption Head for Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps from 2019-2022 and is currently a percussion consultant for Arsenal.
Mark Saenz
Music/Percussion Consultant
Mark Saenz is the Instrumental Music Facilitator for the El Paso Independent School District. He received his Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education from New Mexico State University. In 2001, Mr. Saenz began his teaching career at Coronado High School as an assistant director and in 2012 became the Director of Bands. Throughout his eighteen year tenure, the Coronado Band received many recognitions including appearances at the UIL State Marching Band Contest and TMEA State Honor Band Finals, as well as being awarded the New Mexico State Tournament of Bands Grand Champions. Mr. Saenz is a performing member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other music groups in the El Paso area. Mr. Saenz has a beautiful wife, two boys and a girl.