Meet the Directors

Alexander Arcia is the Head Band Director at Deerpark Middle School in Round Rock, Texas. Originally from Pembroke Pines, Florida, Mr. Arcia is a graduate of West Broward High School and Florida State University. He is passionate about creating a band program where students are challenged to grow as musicians while developing confidence, discipline, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for music.

Prior to joining Deerpark Middle School, Mr. Arcia served as an Assistant Band Director at Lockhart Junior High School, where he was part of a thriving program serving more than 350 students. He was the lead beginning brass teacher and the primary band director of the Non-Varsity Symphonic Band, which earned a “Straight 1 Sweepstakes” award at UIL Concert & Sight Reading Contest under his direction. Before moving to Texas, he served as the Director of Bands at Coral Springs Middle School from 2021–2025 and as the Director of Bands at Paxon School for Advanced Studies in Jacksonville, Florida, from 2020–2021. During his time at Coral Springs Middle School, Mr. Arcia helped transform the program’s student retention and culture, with the program earning consistent Superior ratings at district Music Performance Assessments. His strong student retention from Coral Springs Middle School into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School contributed to the high school band’s success, including several FMBC 5A State Marching Championships and multiple appearances at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has also helped numerous students earn positions in Middle School and High School All-County and All-State ensembles.

Mr. Arcia’s mission as an educator is to provide students with a high-quality musical experience that is fun, challenging, and motivating. He believes that a successful band program develops not only excellent musicians, but also responsible, confident, and well-rounded young people.

As a student at Florida State University, Mr. Arcia performed as principal euphonium in the University Wind Orchestra, a graduate-level ensemble, as well as the University Symphonic Band. He was a student of Professor Paul Ebbers and Dr. Justin Benenavidez, the current Associate Professor of Tuba at the Eastman School of Music. Mr. Arcia was also a member of the world-renowned Florida State University Marching Chiefs and Renegade Eight, the university’s premier Tuba & Euphonium ensemble.

Mr. Arcia has performed throughout the United States with collegiate ensembles and some of the nation’s most accomplished drum and bugle corps. He was a performing member of the Boston Crusaders and The Bluecoats. In 2016, his season with The Bluecoats culminated in the organization’s first-ever DCI World Championship, with the production Down Side Up.

Mr. Arcia was also a conducting student of Dr. Patrick Dunnigan at Florida State University, an experience that sparked a passion for conducting and ensemble leadership that continues to influence his teaching today.

Outside of the band room, Mr. Arcia enjoys following Formula 1, reading, spending time with his wife, exploring theme parks, and creating music-related content with friends.

Ashlyn Bruns is in her first year as Assistant Director of Bands at Deerpark Middle School. A graduate of Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, she earned her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied clarinet with Dr. Suzanne Tirk. Prior to joining Deerpark Middle School, she served as Assistant Band Director at North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas.

While at the University of Oklahoma, Mrs. Bruns performed with the Wind Symphony, Symphony Bands, The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, the 2019 Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OKMEA) Intercollegiate Honor Band, and the Sound of the Sooners. A passionate advocate for folk music, dance, and cultural traditions, she also performed with Oklahoma folk musicians at community English country and contra dances and appears on Jacob Chen's debut album, Cardinal. She enjoys sharing these traditions with her students.

In the summer of 2022, Mrs. Bruns served as Drum Major for the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps. She returned the following summer as a member of the corps' administrative team and now serves on the organization's Board of Directors.

Now in her fourth year as an educator, Mrs. Bruns has helped lead ensembles to continued musical excellence. During her time at North Mesquite High School, the Concert and Symphonic Bands consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes awards, while the Big Blue Band advanced to the UIL State Marching Contest three consecutive years, including winning the 2024 UIL Area C Marching Contest. She also helped grow the Color Guard program by doubling its membership through focused recruitment and retention efforts, leading to the creation of a second winter guard.

Mrs. Bruns resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Vikas. Outside of teaching, she enjoys language learning, traveling, photography, and attending local dance events.

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.