Meet The Directors

Arturo  J.  Denis is in his 9th year as the Director of Bands at Creekview High School in Carrollton Farmers-Branch ISD. His responsibilities include direction of the Creekview Wind Symphony and the Creekview Marching Band and Concert Band. Under his direction, the Creekview Wind Symphony has been awarded a National Winner of the Foundation of Music Education Mark of Excellence Honors project and has been selected as a featured band in the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, including receiving an invitation for the percussion ensemble to perform at the National Percussion Concert in Indianapolis, IN.

Previously Mr. Denis was Wakeland High School’s first Associate Director of Bands, where he conducted the Symphonic Band, and Jazz Ensemble , assisted with the Marching Band, including all aspects of the music program and was the AP Music Theory Instructor. While at Wakeland HS, the Wind Symphony was a three-time TMEA State Honor Band Finalist and a three-time finalist in the UIL State Marching Band Contest. Mr. Denis’ Symphonic Bands have consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes Awards, including receiving Superior Ratings in Marching, Concert, and Sight-reading Contests since 2007. As Region Jazz Chair he hosted the All Region Jazz Auditions, Clinic and Concert attracting educators such as Steve Wiest, Ronnie Rios, Kris Berg, Mike Steinel, Tim Ishii and Joe Eckert. Under his direction, the Jazz Ensembles have been presented the “Outstanding Band Award” by the Collin County Community College Jazz Festival. Additionally, the Jazz Ensemble won the AAA Classification of the 2008 Texas Christian University Jazz Festival and has placed in the top 5 finalist bands at the UTA Jazz Festivals. Prior to, Mr. Denis served as Assistant Band Director at Clark Middle School in Frisco alongside David Dunham.

Mr. Denis attended The University of Texas at Austin earning a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. While studying at Texas, he was part of several organizations including Delta Sigma Phi, and the Longhorn Marching Band where he received an award for Most Outstanding Musician. As a member of the “Showband of the Southwest”, Mr. Denis was a Trumpet Section Leader and a Trumpet soloist for the Longhorn Band. He was also a member of the esteemed University of Texas Wind Ensemble under the direction of artistic conductor Jerry F. Junkin. Mr. Denis is a member of the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha.

Mr. and Mrs. Denis Reside in Frisco, Texas. His wife Jenny Denis, is a band director at Fowler Middle School in Frisco. Together, they have two children Rebecca Denis and Cristian Denis.

Nathanael Salas (Nate) is very excited to begin his second year as Associate Director of Bands at Creekview High school. His responsibilities include leading both Symphonic Band and Concert Band, assisting with the marching band as the visual coordinator, assisting the Wind Symphony, and assisting with the Jazz Band.

Most recently, Mr. Salas completed his student teaching semester at Coppell ISD with Ms. Kim Shuttlesworth at Coppell HS and Mr. Rusty Gray at Coppell MS East. Mr. Salas graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches Texas, receiving his Bachelor in Music Education Degree. He studied French Horn under Dr. Charles Gavin and Dr. Andrea Denis.

During his time at SFASU, Mr. Salas was a member and Principal French Horn of the SFA Wind Ensemble, SFA Symphony Orchestra, SFA Horn Choir, Roarin’ Buzzsaws Pep Band, and member/squad leader of the mello section in the Lumberjack Marching Band for three years. During his high school career, Mr. Salas had the opportunity to participate in Texas State Solo & Ensemble, State Marching Band contest, and be a member of the Texas All-State Band.

Mr. Salas’ professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, National Association for Music Educators, and honorary band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi. 

Outside of music, Mr. Salas loves exploring national/state parks, being outdoors, playing basketball, baseball, chess, and spending time with his friends and family down South.

Mr. Holden  is in his second year as Percussion Director for the Creekview High School Cluster.

Bill Holden received his bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and received a Certification in Music Education from Central Connecticut State University. In addition to his background as a performer and educator, Bill is an active composer and arranger throughout the US and Europe with works for marching productions, percussion ensembles and concert music.

During his musical career, he has performed with numerous ensembles including the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Civic Symphony Orchestra of Boston, The Woodlands Concert Band, Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra, The Valley Winds of Northampton, MA, the Screamin’ Eagles Big Band of Pratt & Whitney, in addition to various other jazz ensembles, orchestras, chamber ensembles and percussion ensembles, including performances at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Holden’s percussion teachers include Will Hudgins, Frank Epstein, Eduardo Leandro, Keith Aleo, Neil Larrivee, Tom Aungst, Colin McNutt, Thom Hannum, and his composition teachers are Michael Gandolfi, and Charles Menoche.

Mr. Holden shares great experience in music education through his teaching. He comes to us from Enfield High School in Connecticut, and prior to that Klein High School in Houston, and Wakeland High School and Griffin Middle School in Frisco. During his career, Bill has taught all aspects of percussion, in addition to some guitar classes, music theory, jazz, orchestra and band classes.

Mr. Holden’s students have gone on to perform with the Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps, The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, the Massachusetts All-State Orchestra, the Texas All-State Jazz Band, and on to university and conservatory studies.

Outside of music, Mr. Holden’s hobbies include amateur radio, bowling, road trips, listening to vinyl records, and cheering for the Boston Red Sox. Mr. Holden is very excited to be moving back to the Dallas area to join the Creekview Band family!

Mrs. Caitlin Nagel is joining the Creekview Guard program as Guard Director.

Caitlin joins our Creekview Staff with 9  years of experience teaching Color guard , Winter guard, Dance and Performance.   

She is a native of North Carolina , established her career in Arizona and recently moved to Texas.  She has worked among some of the best programs in the country and been active in WGI.

She enjoys hiking on her free time and travel when she can with her husband. Together they have two little dogs that keep things fun!

Ms. Bella Escandon is returning to the Creekview Guard program as Assistant Guard Director.

Bella Escandon is a Creekview alumin and returning member of the Colorguard staff.   She's been performing competitively over the past 4 years and will be in second year working with our Creekview guards.   Ms. Escandon is a recent graduate, earning her Bachelors degree in Art Managment at the University of North Texas, and is excited to use her knowledge and passion for design to strengthen the Creekview Guard program this coming year!

Outside of work and guard, Bella is an avid concert goer, a multi-media artist, and enjoys skateboarding in her free time.