Meet the Directors

Debra Vandergriff is the head band director at Willow Wood Junior High, and has been a part of the Willow Wood Band Staff for seven years. She holds bachelors and masters degrees in music education from Sam Houston State University. Bands under the direction of Mrs. Vandergriff have consistently earned first division ratings at UIL and other band festivals and contests, and her Symphonic Band was named Best in Class at the 2022 Bridgeland Band Festival. 

Mrs. Vandergriff taught previously in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD before serving as the graduate assistant for the Sam Houston State University band program. She is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association and lives in Tomball with her husband, Bryon, and their two children. 

Dawn Melton is in her 9th year in Tomball ISD, and her 19th year in music education. She currently serves as an assistant band director at Willow Wood Junior High. Passionate about student growth and musical excellence, Mrs. Melton brings dedication, energy, and expertise to every setting, from the conductor’s stand to the digital workspace. Bands under Mrs. Melton’s direction have consistently earned Superior ratings at UIL and other band contests, and her students gain a love for music and music-making. Building relationships with students, parents and colleagues has always been a cornerstone of Mrs. Melton’s teaching style.

Mrs. Melton  graduated from Abilene Christian University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. After her time at ACU, she taught in Midway school district in the Waco area for eleven years. She has taught every grade level from elementary through high school band, and has found her niche in grades six through eight. 

Mrs. Melton and her husband, Brian, have been married for 19 years and have two children in the Tomball School District (Riley, 16 and Nolan 14). They enjoy taking road trips and playing board games together.

Makaela Martinez is in her fifth year as an Assistant Band Director at Willow Wood Junior High in Tomball ISD. She is the lead instructor of the Concert Band, assists with the Symphonic and Honor Bands, and teaches the beginning low brass classes at Northpointe Intermediate. Under her direction, the WWJH Concert Band has earned the  sweepstakes award for superior ratings in concert and sightreading at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. 

Mrs. Martinez is a 2021 graduate of The University of Houston, where she earned a Bachelors degree in Music Education. While attending U of H, she performed with the U of H Wind Ensemble and Trombone Choir, studied trombone under Mr. Brian Kauk, and taught private low brass lessons in the greater Houston area.

Mrs. Martinez and her husband, Tony, live in the Tomball area with their son Joseph.