Nicole Correa-Kemp is a native of San Antonio and a proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Studies. She began her teaching career in Bastrop ISD as Associate Director at Cedar Creek Middle and Intermediate School, where her ensembles consistently earned Sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading, including the first Sweepstakes in Cedar Creek Middle School history. During her tenure, she also led a revitalized recruitment and retention effort that resulted in the program’s highest enrollment to date.

Mrs. Kemp served as Director of Bands at Deerpark Middle School for seven years, where she led the program to unprecedented statewide recognition and national success. In 2024, the Deerpark Wind Symphony was named a Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) State Honor Band Finalist, placing 10th in the State of Texas - an achievement that marked a first in school history. That same year, the program was recognized as a Mark of Excellence “National Winner” by The Foundation for Music Education, honoring the ensemble as one of the nation’s finest middle school bands. In 2023 and 2025, the band was also named a Mark of Excellence “Commended Winner”, reflecting the program’s rapid and sustained rise in national distinction.

Under Mrs. Kemp’s leadership, the Deerpark Ranger Band earned consecutive UIL Sweepstakes awards for superior performance in concert and sight-reading. The Non-Varsity Band also achieved consecutive Sweepstakes during her tenure, marking the program’s first such accomplishment since 2014. At both Cedar Creek and Deerpark, her leadership also contributed to significant growth in All-Region Band participation, qualifiers, and top placements. 

Beyond the podium, Mrs. Kemp enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family. Her husband, a baseball coach with the 1836 Roughriders Baseball Organization in Liberty Hill, shares her passion for education and student development. Together, they take great pride in raising their two-year-old daughter, Amelia, and enjoy spending time together as a family with their two dogs, Jeter and Jorge Posada, and their two cats, Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong.

Ms. Cat Yang is originally from the Dallas area where she attended Coppell High School and graduated Summa Cum Laude from The University of North Texas where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in Saxophone.

During her time at UNT, Ms. Yang studied Saxophone under Dr. Eric Nestler and gained a wealth of knowledge on literature, pedagogy, and musicality. She performed in chamber ensembles as well as in large ensembles such as the Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, and the Wind Symphony. During this time, she was also involved in the music community, serving as a Wind Studies Librarian, Saxophone Section Leader for the Green Brigade Marching Band, Vice President of Membership for Kappa Kappa Psi, and also a private lesson teacher in Denton ISD where she found a passion for teaching middle school.  Professionally, Ms. Yang is also a member of TMEA and TBA. 

During her summers, Ms. Yang served as a Drum Major for the world-class drum corps The Cadets starting in 2020. She aged out in 2023 and was named Cadet of the Year. 

After graduating, Ms. Yang began teaching at Deerpark Middle School in Round Rock Texas. There she served as Director of the Symphonic Band and helped lead the ensemble to consecutive sweepstakes.

Ms. Yang is entering her 3rd year of teaching and is looking forward to serving as the Assistant Band Director at Liberty Hill Middle School!

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, watching movies, and playing with her cat June. Ms. Yang is incredibly thankful for all the directors, mentors, and friends who have shaped and supported her throughout her musical experiences!

Justin Zimerman is currently serving as Percussion Director at Liberty Hill High School. Before coming to Liberty Hill, Mr. Zimerman was at Kempner High School in Sugar Land, TX as Percussion Director for the 2017-2018 school year. Before that, he was at Dawson High School in Pearland, TX as Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director for 10 years from 2007-2017. Ensembles under the direction of Mr. Zimerman have performed at the Music For All National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis and the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio. Under his direction, bands have advanced to the UIL Texas State Marching band contest 5 times, including 2 finals appearances, along with winning several outstanding percussion awards at various contests.

Mr. Zimerman earned his Music Education Degree from the University of Houston, where he performed with the Wind Ensemble under the Direction of Tom Bennett and the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Franz Anton Krager. He also was a member of the Percussion Ensemble under Dr. Blake Wilkins and had the honor of performing in a showcase concert at PASIC 2006. Mr. Zimerman was a marching member of Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004.

Mr. Zimerman is a Percussion Education Artist with Innovative Percussion, and his professional affiliates are The Texas Music Educators Association and The Percussive Arts Society. Mr. Zimerman lives in Bertram, Texas with his wife, Emily, their daughter.