About the Directors
Mr. Ledford is a native of the Houston area, holds both Bachelors’ of Music and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he was a cello student of David Mollenhauer. Mr. Ledford began teaching in San Antonio in North East ISD as an after school strings teacher for several area elementary schools. While in San Antonio he had the opportunity to work with and learn from skilled teachers such as Elaine Heinze, Melanie Sorgi, Dr. Jan Garverick, and Dorothy Wells. Additional educational influences include Ann Roberts, Dr. Michael Alexander, and Donna Rodgers. In 1999, Mr. Ledford moved back to Houston to lead the orchestras at Deer Park High School to UIL Sweepstakes Awards before assuming the position as head orchestra director at J. Frank Dobie High School in Pasadena ISD. Under his direction the program grew from 50 to around 190 and won numerous awards at state and international festivals including performing at the Midwest Clinic in 2009. In 2010, Mr. Ledford took over the program at Klein Oak High School to continue the tradition of excellence in Klein ISD. While at Klein Oak, the orchestra has grown to just over 200 students, placed in the finals of TMEA Honor Full Orchestra (2013, 2019), performed at the Midwest Clinic (2014), been invited to ASTA's National Orchestra Festival (2017, 2019), placed as runner-up grand champion at NOF in 2017, and earned distinctions at other state festivals. When not working with his students, Mr. Ledford enjoys traveling and spending times with his wife Elizabeth, son Thomas, and daughter Grace.
Elizabeth Ross, Assistant Director
Elizabeth Ross is a proud product of our very own Klein ISD. She began playing the violin at age 5 and continued playing as she grew up here in Spring. Elizabeth graduated from Klein Collins High School in 2007, going on to pursue her Bachelor of Arts degree at Schreiner University, in Kerrville, TX. Here she studied with Dr. Jay Dunnahoo and Long Zhou as a performer in The Symphony of the Hills. In 2012, she began teaching at Schindewolf Intermediate as the Assistant Director and later moved to Krimmel Intermediate as the Head Director of Orchestras. She has taken many orchestras to UIL Concert and Sightreading receiving multiple Sweepstakes awards. Elizabeth is incredibly excited to join the Klein Oak Orchestra program and cannot wait to continue her teaching career with these amazing ensembles!
