Brian Coatney, a native of Arlington, Texas, discovered his passion for music at a young age. At just five years old, he began studying the cello privately, laying the foundation for his future musical endeavors. As he progressed through high school, Coatney actively participated in the school orchestra and showcased his versatility by playing percussion in various ensembles.

After graduating from high school, Coatney set his sights on pursuing a career in music. He enrolled at Northwestern State University, where he excelled academically and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in music education. Coatney's dedication and talent led him to further his studies at James Madison University, where he earned a Masters in Orchestral Conducting under the guidance of Dr. Robert McCashin in 2003.

In 2003, Coatney joined the prestigious Klein High School fine arts program as the assistant Orchestra Director. Additionally, he took on the role of conducting the Houston Youth Symphony Sinfonietta Orchestra, further expanding his musical influence. Coatney's passion for teaching and conducting led him to join the Plano Senior High School fine arts team in 2007, where he assumed the position of Director of Orchestral Studies.

During his tenure at Plano Senior High School, Coatney's leadership propelled the school's orchestra to new heights of success. The orchestra consistently earned multiple Sweepstakes awards at UIL competitions and received Best in Class accolades at national music competitions. In recognition of their exceptional talent and dedication, the orchestra had the privilege of performing at the prestigious Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. Under Coatney's direction, the Plano Senior High Symphony Orchestra achieved the distinguished honor of being chosen as the Honor Full Orchestra three times, in 2008, 2011, and most recently in 2014. This recognition solidified Coatney's reputation as an outstanding conductor and educator. In 2020, Coatney embraced a new opportunity and joined the Wylie ISD fine arts team as the director of orchestras at Wylie High School. Despite the program being relatively new, Coatney is enthusiastic about its growth and the potential for inspiring performances.

Coatney's remarkable contributions to the field of music education have not gone unnoticed. In 2008, he received the TexASTA Marjorie Keller Young Teacher of the Year award, a testament to his dedication and impact as an educator. Coatney is an active member of esteemed professional organizations, including the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Mu Omicron, and the professional music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha.

With a wealth of experience, a deep love for music, and a commitment to nurturing young talent, Brian Coatney continues to make a lasting impact on the world of music education and orchestral performance.

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Desiree Overree recently retired as the Director of Orchestras at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. Since its opening in 2005, the program has grown to 260+ string players over seven performance ensembles. By 2007, the Seven Lakes Sinfonia Orchestra was ranked as one of the top six string orchestras in Texas in the TMEA Honor Orchestra Competition. The Symphony Orchestra has also ranked as one of the top ten orchestras in the same competition since 2011. They were crowned the TMEA Honor Full Orchestra in 2016, winning the equivalent of the state championship, and won this distinction again in 2020. Most recently, the Symphony Strings won the title of Honor String Orchestra for 2024. Since 2015, both the Seven Lakes Sinfonia and Symphony Orchestras have been named National Orchestra Winners for the Mark of Excellence from the Foundation of Music Education. In 2018, ensembles from Seven Lakes were selected to perform at Music for All’s National Festival. In 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, the Symphony Orchestra was named the winner of the American Prize in Music. The Sinfonia Orchestra earned second place in 2018 and third place in 2024, and won the 2025 American Prize.

She has been recognized in “Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers,” awarded Katy ISD’s Excellence in Teaching Award multiple times, and has been recognized as an Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars. In 2011, she was awarded the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award: only 50 educators are awarded this honor in the United States every two years. In 2015, she was selected as a University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award winner. In 2023, she was selected by the American Prize in Music as an Honored Artist. Honored Artists are individuals (or ensembles) who have proven themselves to be of "sustained excellence" over several seasons as laureates of The American Prize competitions. In 2025, Mu Omicron presented her with the Kathy Fishburn “Excellence in Orchestra” Award, awarded to educators for consistently demonstrating leadership and superior teaching. She is frequently invited as an adjudicator, presenter, clinician, and conductor, and is an active freelancer. She holds professional memberships in Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and proudly serves Mu Omicron as Vice-President. Outside of Texas, she serves as an Educational Consultant for Music for All. Ms. Overree opened Green Baton LLC in Spring 2026 whose mission is to empower music educators by providing practical tools, insightful guidance, and meaningful support through professional development and mentorship. 

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Jamie Ovalle is the Director of Orchestras at Martin High School in Arlington, TX. She has been teaching since 2009, with 9 of those years at Martin High School.

Mrs. Ovalle began her music endeavors as a student in Arlington ISD with cello as her primary instrument. She graduated from Texas Christian University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While at TCU, she studied cello under Dr. Jesus Castro-Balbi and performed with the TCU Symphony under Dr. Germán Gutiérrez.

Prior to Martin High School, Mrs. Ovalle spent one year teaching middle school in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. She then spent three years in Fort Worth ISD as the sole director at Meacham Middle School and Diamond Hill–Jarvis High School. Under her direction, these programs tripled in size and earned their first Sweepstakes ratings in recent school history.

Mrs. Ovalle joined the Martin Orchestra team in 2013 as an assistant with the late Jennifer Lemin under the leadership of Michael Stringer. During her time as an assistant, she conducted the Martin High School Symphony Orchestra at the Texas Music Educators Convention in 2015 & 2017. When she became the Director of Orchestras in 2017, Mrs. Ovalle conducted the MHS Symphony at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. The following year, the 2019 MHS Symphony Orchestra was named the High School Honor Full Orchestra and performed at the TMEA Convention for the 3rd time in 5 years. During the same year, the string orchestra was invited to perform in London, England alongside the MHS choir on an international tour. Most recently, the MHS Symphony String Orchestra was invited to perform at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival in Orlando in March of 2020. She credits all of these honors to the work ethic & heart of the outstanding Martin Orchestra musicians.

Mrs. Ovalle has an incredible husband, Dallas, beautiful eight-year-old daughter, Landry Belle, and a handsome son, Jett Ace, who is five. When not on the podium, she enjoys spending time with Dallas, Landry and Jett, participating in church activities, cooking and watching sports.

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