Jorge Alarcon
Director of Bands | Fine Arts Chair, South Hills High School

Jorge Alarcon is in his fourth year as Director of Bands at South Hills High School in Fort Worth, TX, where he leads the South Hills High School Wind Symphony, Marching Band, Pep Band, and serves as the Fine Arts Chair. Under his leadership, the South Hills Band has earned three consecutive UIL Division 1 ratings, with the Wind Symphony consistently achieving superior marks in concert and sight-reading performances. The marching band has also achieved unprecedented success, making its mark in the UIL Area 5F competition three times in the school’s 25-year history.

The Pep Band under Mr. Alarcon’s direction has played an integral role in elevating school spirit at sporting events. His band was featured at multiple high-profile athletic events, including the ECU experience, where they contributed to a dynamic game-day atmosphere. The Pep Band was also recognized nationally during the FDU NCAA tournament, with ESPN highlighting the band’s performance and energy at the event, further solidifying the program's reputation for excellence and student engagement.

In addition to his work at South Hills, Mr. Alarcon is a Trekorda musician and performs regularly around the North Texas area. His gigging experience enriches his teaching and allows him to share his passion for music with the local community.

Mr. Alarcon holds a Bachelor of Music Education (2016) from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he performed with the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band, Purple Haze Pep Band, NSU Wind Ensemble, Magale Concert Band, and the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra.

As Principal Tubist with the New Texas Symphony Orchestra in Dallas from 2017 to 2022, Mr. Alarcon has balanced his professional music career with his educational leadership. His performance in the 2021 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, marked a career milestone. He will return in 2026 with the same ensemble to perform once again.

Before joining South Hills, Mr. Alarcon was Director of Bands at Rusk Middle School in Dallas ISD, where he significantly grew the program’s success. In addition to his role in band, he coached football, baseball, and soccer, demonstrating his commitment to developing students both in and out of the classroom.

In the world of drum corps, Mr. Alarcon marched contra tuba with Louisiana Stars Drum & Bugle Corps in 2014 and 2015, and with Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, earning a 6th place finish at the 2015 DCI World Championship World Class Finals. He later joined the brass staff at Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps in 2017 and 2018, helping the corps to top-12 finishes at the DCI Open Class Finals. In 2025, Mr. Alarcon will serve on the admin team for Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, contributing to the tour and logistics of one of the top organizations in the activity.

A passionate educator and leader, Mr. Alarcon is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He is committed to providing the highest-quality education and experiences for his students and continues to push the South Hills Band program to new levels of excellence.

Ms. Brianna Ledesma is thrilled to begin her career in music education as Assistant Director of Bands at South Hills High School.

A recent graduate of Texas Tech University, Ms. Ledesma earned her degree in Music Education and studied flute under Dr. Spencer Hartman as a dedicated member of the Texas Tech Flute Studio. Throughout her time at Texas Tech, she actively participated in a wide range of ensembles and experiences that shaped her passion for music and teaching.

She was a four-year member of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland, serving as piccolo section leader and uniform crew manager, and had the honor of marching in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. She also conducted the Texas Tech Flute Choir at the National Flute Association Convention in Phoenix, AZ, performed as both a flutist and vocalist in Mariachi Los Matadores, and was a member of the Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. Eric Allen.

Ms. Ledesma completed her student teaching at Legacy High School and Danny Jones Middle School in Mansfield ISD. Following graduation, she served as a long-term Assistant Band Director substitute at STEAM Middle School in Burleson ISD.

Like Mr. Alarcon, Ms. Ledesma is a proud graduate of Arlington High School and is excited to return to the area where she was born and raised to begin this new chapter. A lifelong music lover, she enjoys attending live concerts, as well as line dancing and swing dancing in her free time. She also loves spending time with her three-year-old orange cat, Miguel.

Juan De Leon is starting his first year in Fort Worth ISD at South Hills High School. From 2020 to 2025, Mr. De Leon served as the Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director at Clovis High School in Clovis, New Mexico, and was in charge of all of the percussion from 7th grade to 12 grade and assisted with rehearsals. During his time at CHS, all concert groups earned consistent Superior ratings in the Music Performance Assessment and helped lead the Wildcat Marching Band to five Zia NM State Championships and the program’s 12th win in a row.

In 2022, the Wildcat Marching Band won BOA Las Cruces, BOA Flagstaff, placed 2nd in BOA Midland and was the first New Mexico band to win a BOA Regional Championship. The percussion section also competed in the West Texas Auxiliary Championships in Lubbock, TX and placed 2nd overall. In 2021, his percussion won percussion captions at the High Plains Marching Festival in Amarillo, TX and in the Westerner Marching Contest in Lubbock. Mr. De Leon marched with Sun City Independent during its inaugural year in 2018 and won the Independent A division in the WGAZ circuit. 

Mr. De Leon has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from New Mexico State University. Mr. De Leon is married to his wife Lauren, a saxophonist, and enjoy spending time exploring and doing new things, mostly bowling and finding delicious seafood boils!

Eden Findley began her color guard journey in 7th grade. Throughout both middle and high schools, she gained performance, choreographer, and leadership experience as a color guard member and captain. In 2023, she was a volunteer color guard director.

Mrs. Findley was born and raised in the small town of Broken Bow, OK. She earned a B.S. in Ministry Leadership from Lee University, then began pursuing her dream of teaching. While Eden's adoration for the world of English Language Arts and Reading began as a toddler, her devotion and passion for color guard began the moment she held a flag for the first time. 

Throughout the past four years, Eden has taught students from 6th - 11th grade in both Oklahoma and Texas. She is extremely excited to become part of the Scorpion family. Her hopes for the South Hills High School Color Guard team are that every student feels valued and finds a new passion that will last a lifetime!

Outside of school, Eden enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, crocheting/crafting, reading and writing, and doing anything that involves music!

Jake Albin is currently in his 24th year as a music educator and serves as the Associate Director of Bands at Aledo High School.  He performs as a marching band coordinator for the Bearcat Regiment, the Symphonic Band Conductor, and oversees all Jazz studies at Aledo ISD.  Under his direction, each ensemble has consistently received Division 1 ratings and numerous individual accolades and awards across the state and nation.  Before his full time tenure at the high school, Mr. Albin worked at Aledo Middle School from 2000-2005.  

Mr. Albin attended Texas Tech University, in Lubbock, TX, where he graduated Cum Laude and received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.  At Texas Tech, he studied the art of saxophone with Don Turner and David Dees.  Jake performed in numerous concert and jazz ensembles under the direction of Dr. Cody Birdwell, Keith Bearden, and the late James Sudduth.  In 1999, the Goin’ Band from Raiderland was awarded the Sudler Trophy for excellence in intercollegiate marching band performance.  Jake has served in multiple officer roles in the music fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi.  

Jake Albin moved to Aledo, TX in 1992 and graduated from Aledo High School in 1995.  During that time, he performed under the direction of Tom Hall and Joey Paul.  In 1994, he was a founding member of the Aledo Jazz Band.  Mr. Albin has been nominated as a Who’s Who Teacher, Grammy Music Educator, and a Marva Collins Educator. He is married to Alicia Albin and has twin daughters, Julia May and Clara Rose; and a son, Hudson Timothy.  They currently live in Aledo, TX with their dog, Lottie.  In his free time, he enjoys fishing, hiking, and composing.  Jake Albin’s professional affiliations include: Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmaster Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, and ASCAP.