Meet the Directors

Nicole Correa-Kemp is currently in her seventh year as Director of Bands at Deerpark Middle School, Mrs. Kemp has led the program to unprecedented success and statewide recognition.  In 2024, the Deerpark Wind Symphony was named a Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Honor Band State Finalist, placing 10th in the State of Texas, a historic first for the school.  That same year, the program was honored as a Mark of Excellence “National Winner” by the Foundation for Music Education, recognizing the group as one of the finest middle school bands in the country.  Moreover, in 2023, the band was named a Mark of Excellence “Commended Winner”, signifying the program’s rapid and continued ascent in national stature.  

Under her leadership, the Deerpark Ranger Band has earned consecutive UIL Sweepstakes awards for superior performance in concert and sight-reading. Additionally, the Non-Varsity Band has also achieved consecutive Sweepstakes during her tenure—the program’s first such accomplishment since 2014.

Mrs. Kemp began her teaching career as Director of Bands at Cedar Creek Intermediate School and Associate Director at Cedar Creek Middle School in Bastrop ISD, where her ensembles earned consistent Sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading—the first in Cedar Creek Middle School’s history.  During her time at Cedar Creek, she led a revitalized recruitment and retention initiative that resulted in the program’s highest enrollment to date. 

Mrs. Kemp has also expanded musical excellence beyond the ensemble setting. Under her direction, both at Cedar Creek and Deerpark, the programs have seen significant growth in student achievement through All-Region Band auditions, with increased numbers of participants, qualifiers, and top placements each year. 

Mrs. 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 maintains active membership in professional organizations, including the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA).

Beyond the podium, Mrs. Kemp enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and spending meaningful time with her family. Her husband, a baseball coach, shares her passion for education and student development. Together, they take great pride in raising their daughter, Amelia, and value the moments they share as a family through travel, outdoor activities, and time spent at home.

Cat Yang is currently in her 2nd year as Associate Director of Bands at Deerpark Middle School. She grew up in Coppell, TX, 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. She completed her student teaching in McKinney ISD at McKinney North High School and Cockrill Middle School where she got to experience the joys of teaching firsthand.

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 her time, she was 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 and aged out in 2023 where she was named Cadet of the Year. She served as a marching tech in Prosper ISD and has worked with Drum Majors as an instructor. 

In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, exploring the outdoors, reading, and watching movies. Ms. Yang is incredibly thankful for all the directors, mentors, and friends who have shaped and supported her throughout her musical experiences!

Jordan Garza is the newest addition to the band staff at McNeil High School! He is also the Ensemble Director of Rhythmic Force Percussion, an Independent Percussion Ensemble based in Austin, TX.   Jordan’s varied and successful background with percussion ensemble, electronics, marching band, and indoor percussion provides a strong foundation for the current vision of his percussion programs.  Mr. Garza is endorsed by the educational programs of Marimba One, Innovative Percussion, Evans Drum Heads and is an active clinician, percussion arranger and instructor across Texas.

Prior to the year 2020, he was the Associate Director of Bands and Percussion Director at Weiss High School.  In 2017, Weiss was named the Bands of America class A Champion, during their first year of existence.  In 2018, Weiss HS was one of the youngest schools to ever place in finals at a Band’s of America Super Regional and named the Grand Champion of the Vista Ridge Marching Festival.  In 2019 the Weiss HS Percussion Ensemble won the Outstanding Front Ensemble Caption in the large division of the Brandies South Texas Classic.  Prior to living in Austin, TX Jordan resided in Houston TX, where he was the Percussion Director at the nationally recognized, Stephen F. Austin HS and was the Ensemble Director at Monarch Independent for the 2017 season.  During his time in FBISD, Mr. Garza led the Stephen F. Austin percussion ensemble to multiple championship performances with the Bulldog Band and Angels Dance Team, including the first place finish at UIL Area in 2016.  Under his direction the SFA Percussion Ensemble performed a showcase at the 2016 Texas Music Educators Association Convention. 

Mr. Garza holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Instrumental Emphasis) from Texas State University. During his tenure at Texas State, he was the section leader of the Bobcat Drumline and the Principal Percussionist of the Texas State Wind Ensemble.  If free time presents itself, Jordan subs with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, enjoys a good spin class and walks with his new doggie pal Theo.  Mr. Garza brings his vision into reality through performance, teamwork and excellence in musicianship.